Cochon

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 22, 2012

Name: Cochon & Cochon Butcher
Location: New Orleans

Did you know that 'cocoon' literally means pig? It's pretty fitting for this traditional cajun southern cuisine being served. After my quick trip to NOLA this past weekend, it is only fitting to post about one of the best restaurants in the city. Located in the central business district, the semi-industrial setting is fitting for the butchery and separate restaurant. I love the exposed brick and bench seating in the restaurant and industrial open shelving in the butchery.

The restaurant:

The butcher shop:

Image 1 © Nola.com

Image 2,6-7 © Boots in the oven

Image 3 © The chocolate of meats

Image 4-5 © Star chefs

Mary Queen of Scots

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 21, 2012

Name: Mary Queen of Scots - Now Closed

Location: New York, NY

Mary Queen of Scots is a scottish bar & gastropub, located on the Lower East Side of NY. Designed to resemble a traditional Scottish country house, the design incorporates traditional elements in updated ways. The bright plaid on the the tufted booths, geometric mirrored ceiling inlay over the bar, and mixture of chair and booth styles all give a warm and rustic feeling while still remaining hip and trendy enough to be located in NYC.

All photos © Mary Queen of Scot

The Butcher Shop

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 17, 2012

Name: The Butcher Shop
Location: Boston, MA

Taking a cue from our post on Wednesday, I thought I would let you in on another space with a butcher shop component. The Butcher Shop, which is located in Boston, has some wonderful and highly practical details. The large butcher block, industrial hooks, and rich wood floors give the space a rustic and historical feel. I enjoy that the center of the restaurant space is the over-sized butch block with glass sneeze guards. It helps to emphasize the purpose of the space and adds a casual, and hand crafted feel to the over all space.

Image 1 © Stay

Image 1,3,4 © The Butcher Shop

Fette Sau

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 15, 2012

Name: Fette Sau
Location: Brooklyn

What I enjoy the most about Fette Sau, is that they addressed the butchery side of the meal. While we often see the rustic/industrial ideas coming into play with BBQ joints, you commonly don't seen the butchery side come out at all. Fette Sau managed to incorporate this element, without making it overbearing or overly graphic. Instead, it has elements of the classic butcher shop which also having the rustic aspects such as tractor seat bar stools, wood topped tables and exposed structure.

The meat illustrations drawn on the wall and knife pulls, drive home the butcher feel and create a fun visual element to the space.

Image 1 © Will work for food

Image 2-3 © Fast Company

Image 4 © franimal flickr

Lagkagehuset 'The Cake House'

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 13, 2012

Name: Lagkagehuset
Location: Copenhagen

Lagkagehuset, which roughly translates to 'The Cake House', is a great example of a minimalist and modern interior utilizing high quality, rich materials. The end result is a space that is both warm and bright, feels comfortable and yet completely chic all at once. This bakery focuses on handmade breads, pastries, and coffee and the interior supports and showcases these products.

Image 1-5 © Space

Local Favorite; Heritage Bicycles

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 10, 2012

Name: Heritage Bicycles
Location: Chicago, IL

There is little I love more than a local coffee shop on a cold chicago afternoon. The newest to hit the Chicago scene decided to raise the bar a bit and is not only supplying the windy city with Stumptown, but also with locally, handcrafted bicycles. The space merges the two beautifully. With a handmade, yet refined feel, the interior is comfortable and inviting. The long communal table in the center of the space acts as the landing ground for the the biking community to grab a cup of coffee while waiting for a tire change or tune up. Booths are upholstered with bags from beans imported by Stumptown and there is even a light fixture made from Edison bulbs and bicycle rims. Walls are decked out in moldings filled with either mirrors or chalkboards listing specials and services and add a great amount of light to the space. Overall the space feels well pulled together and just as hand crafted as the bicycles and coffee they feature.

Image 1-5 © lgrab

Image 6 © Bicycle Retailer

B.A.R.

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 8, 2012

Name: B.A.R.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

B.A.R. (Blasieholmens Akvarium Restaurang) is an approachable and timeless restaurant located in the heart of Stockholm. With a goal of serving 'uncomplicated, delicious fresh food' they have also managed to create a space fitting of the beautiful food being put out. With classic scandinavian details; neutral and bright color palate, natural materials, and simple yet beautiful displays and execution, B.A.R has given us a space that is bright, airy and yet approachable and comfortable. The almost handcrafted aesthetic to the space drives home the simple, handcrafted nature of the food which creates a perfect marriage of interior and food. This symbiotic relationship is what I believe to be necessary for a successful restaurant.

Image 1,6 © kikki-k

Image 2,6 © Koncept Stockholm

Image 3-5 © B.A.R.

Super Bowl Sunday; Boston vs NY

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 5, 2012

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

Around here, battles and rivalries between cities are everywhere. We thought it would be fun to give you all an inside peak into how we decide who wins.

First, the contenders;

Name: Island Creek Oyster Bar

Location: Boston, MA

Name: Marlow & Sons

Location: New York, NY

For this showdown, we will be judging on four separate criteria. All of these are key components to a successful restaurant and are far more intertwined than many realize.

1. Creativity of Materials

2. Use of Space

3. Total Concept with Menu

4. Graphic Design & Website

First up; Island Creek Oyster Bar;

Images 1-4 © Thrillist

Image 5 © The eaten path

Next, Marlow & Sons

________________________________________________________

How they stack up:

1. Creativity of Materials- Island creek Oyster Bar (The creative use of oyster shells as a wall treatment blew us away. Beautiful, textural and understated.)

2. Use of Space- Marlow & Sons (The fact that you walk into a grocer before being led into the dark, intimate dining space was a great way to create an intimate dining experience.)

3. Total Concept with Menu- Island Creek Oyster Bar (The concept and execution of this space like one complete thought, Marlow & son's felt a bit scattered and less pulled together in concept.)

4. Graphic Design & Website- Island Creek Oyster Bar (While both restaurants had great graphic design, Island Creek nudged ahead with its use of unexpected bright color and web layout.)

_________________________________________

WINNER: ISLAND CREEK OYSTER BAR

DBGB Kitchen & Bar

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 3, 2012

Name: DBGB Kitchen & bar
Location: NYC
Design: Thomas Schlesser

The bowery district in NYC has a rich history as the restaurant supply neighborhood of the city. Taking inspiration from this history, DBGB was born. The entire space features open shelving displaying the tools and equipment used in the kitchen. Copper pots and pans, goods and glasswares can all be viewed as diners gaze into the semi-open kitchen beyond. The space is simple and yet complex, warm, inviting and comfortable. With intimate booths tucked in between the shelves, central two-tops and four-top booths in the center, there is a place for any diners needs. DBGB has officially been added to my list of restaurants to visit the next time I am in NY and I hope it has been added to yours, as well.

Clyde Common

Kaper Design; Inspiration February 1, 2012

Name: Clyde Common
Location: Portland, OR
Design: Jack Barron & Natasha Figueroa

Located in the Ace hotel in Portland, Clyde Common is a double story, industrial chic space serving up great food and exceptional drinks. Fashioned with a bit of military inspiration, the space features communal tables, industrial metal stools pushed up to a wood-clad bar and simple materials to create it's hip and urban feel. The tarp cloth, located on the second level is yet another nod to the military feel and helps create a visual barrier between the two areas.