Pizza East

Name: Pizza East
Location: London ( & soon, Chicago!)

One of my most anticipated openings for Chicago is Pizza East, even though it isn't scheduled to open until Spring 2014. Already a staple for progressive pizza in London, the Chicago location will be tucked away off of Randolph Street (located inside the upcoming SoHo House). Using the location as the inspiration, the interior takes on an industrial-rustic feel. In addition to the actual dining space, Pizza East Shoreditch, also houses a deli, allowing you to take the seasonal and specialty ingredients home with you. Chicago's Randolph Street also has an industrial past and I can hardly wait to see a few similar elements and materials in their first US Pizza East space.





Pizza East

All images © Pizza East

Dogmatic

Name: Dogmatic
Location: New York, NY
Design: EFGH



Dogmatic is a sight to be seen. What started as a simple hot dog cart, now has a brick and mortar home to call it's own. The truly impressive part of Dogmatic is what lies just inside of the sleek, industrial exterior. A simple interior with nothing more than a communal table and bench seating at first glance opens itself up (almost literally!) to accommodate diners. the butcher block communal table that runs through the center features individual wood seats that can be slid out from under the table and pushed back in when not in use to truly maximize the small size of the space. Even the waste basket is blended into the wall. All of these space saving solutions allow the space itself to feel sleek, modern, and clean and allow efficiency to be the center of attention. 








All photos © EFGH

Local Favorite; Telegraph

Name: Telegraph
Location: Chicago

Telegraph could quickly become a new favorite destination for me here in the city. Located in Logan Square, the space is well designed and feature a great amount of craftsmanship throughout. From the unique, wood bar wrapping around both sides of the space to the rustic, dovetailed wood shelves the space creates a warm and inviting environment whether you come for a date or with a group of friends. Here are a few hits and misses;

Hits:
There wasn't a single low point in our entire meal. A rare but very welcomed situation!
-The food was rustic, simple but managed to surprise me with every dish. We had the Whipped Foie Gras, Roasted whole red snapper, blood sausage, and strawberry freddo sandwich with sunflower crunch. All were phenomenal, well executed, and a good portion size for two to split.
-The interior was well crafted and thoughtful.
-Attention to detail; throughout the meal, our table was cleared, wiped down, and re-set for every course. Silverware was brought to the table in a beautiful wooden box with just what was needed to replace what was removed. The wait staff retiring dishes to the kitchen placed a napkin over all bus tubs and dishes before walking through the space. It's the small, often overlooked by even the most popular restaurants, that truly made this experience amazing.

Misses:
-Two and four top table bases were a bit cumbersome and awkward. Wearing pants, it wasn't as big of a deal but had I worn a dress or skirt, it may have been quite awkward.
-The pendants in the front windows needed some help with their cord management. There were zip ties securing the cords and keeping them in place, but the zip ties were not cut and the long 'tail' could be seen. A small detail, but again extremely important.







Image © Telegraph
Image © Food Arts
Image © Kaper Design

Kitchen at Weylandts

Name: The Kitchen at Weylandts
Location: South Africa

A prominent home furnishings store in South Africa, Weylandts has taken on a fun twist to in-store-dining. Located on the top floor of their shop, they have set up a restaurant focused on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients that come together to create simple, thoughtful dishes. The space itself is bursting with unique details and evokes warmth and creativity. The space's simple palate creates an almost Scandinavian feel with the Louis ghost chairs adding a layer of airiness to the bright space.






All images © Elle Decor SA

Coppa

Name: Coppa
Location: Boston

While walking through Boston's South End, we happened by Coppa, an enoteca focusing on nose-to-tail cooking and charcuterie. Set amongst rich, exposed brick walls with a wood slat bench running along the length of the space, the space feels lively and comfortable. Metal tolix-esq cafe chairs and metal/wood bar stools add a touch of industrial into the mix, a perfect environment for the up and coming neighborhood and chef.






Image 2 © boston.com
Image 3 © Moebiwan flickr
Image 4 © entrepreneur

The Gallows

 Name: The Gallows
Location: Boston, MA
Design: Sousa Design


While exploring Boston, we happened to pass The Gallows in the South End and couldn't help but stop and peak in. The narrow space was rich with details and laid out well, providing multiple seating groups in two distinct zones, one for dining and one for the bar. Considering the restaurant is located in the area of Boston where hangings took place, the Gallows creates a nod to this haunted past while keeping the space polished and open. With a material palate of wood, brick, and metal, the design is truly in the details. The slat ceiling, industrial metal-made pendants, and wall lights peering out from what appears as peeling wood, the design achieves a historical and aged feel while keeping true to the polished and emerging dining scene.

The Gallows


             Gallows_001




Images 2,3,5 © Creative soul in motion
Image 5 © Sousa Design

Standard Baking Co.

Name: Standard Baking Co.
Location: Portland, ME

One of the simplest pleasures in life is a great baked good. The perfect croissant is hard to find and although many try, most fail. The standard Baking Co. located below Fore Street restaurant in Portland Maine, has succeeded in this endeavor. To add to the beauty of finding another perfect croissant (That last was to be seen in San Francisco, over two years ago!) is that the interior, while small, perfectly fit the goods they were serving. Rustic and warm with displays of fresh baked goods lining shelves and filling baskets, the smells and charm welcomes you. The service counter is located between the baking ovens and prep area allowing you to watch the entire baking process unfold. If you are in the area, you should certainly stop in. (and should stop in early, they sell out quick!)


All images © Kaper Design

Duckfat




Name:  Duckfat
Location: Portland, ME

With a name like 'Duck Fat' you really can't go wrong.  This was the second time I've been here and will easily be back again. The food is great but the real star is the duck fat fries and multiple dipping sauces you can choose to accompany them. The space itself is located on a cobblestone street with large front facing windows. An outdoor ledge allows you to dine or drink outside on warmer days without protruding into the sidewalk. What I love the most about the space is how inclusive and local it feels, the interior remains simple and warm which works well within the small space.




Image 1 © Maine Boats
Image 3-4 © Ducat

South End Buttery

Name: South End Buttery
Location: Boston

Our most recent trip East allowed us to venture out to a few restaurants and cafes that have been high on our lists for quite a while. One of these, the South End Buttery was the perfect spot for a drizzly Monday morning. We grabbed a few pastries and a coffee to go and after a few quick snapshots, were off to explore the streets of the South End. The Buttery was the quintessential neighborhood spot, great attention to detail, creamy whites, rich wood floors and incredible woodwork made the space charming and warm. If we hadn't had more spots to explore, we could have easily spent the day here!





Image 1 © Hope in High Heels
Image 2 © Kaper Design