Faviken

Name: Faviken
Location: Järpen, Sweden

In a rural town in Sweden sits one of the top restaurants in the world. With only twelve seats in the restaurant, you are guaranteed an intimate experience. 

Faviken takes local cuisine and ingredients to a higher level by growing and raising all of their own food. In the winter, they use food from their root seller and dried, cured meats. 

With rough beams, worn wood floors and walls, and herbs drying on the walls, the interior of Faviken allows function to come first. Using quality materials that that age well intrinsically adds warmth and allows the space to envelope the diners. This happens while still maintaining its connection with the natural beauty that surrounds it.

Images © Scissors Paper Spoon

State Bird Provisions

Name: State Bird Provisions
Location: San Francisco

State Bird Provisions, located in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco, has quickly climbed to the top of restaurant lists due to its innovative menu and serving technique. 

The space is sparsely simple with an emphasis and focus put into the key components of the space. The bar features six, center of the action spots while one wall features a peg board with changing art. The opposite concrete wall has been left exposed spare a few pieces of art. 

One of the greatest design elements of the space is easily their rolling bar carts. All food is served dim-sum style and brought out on these carts, to your table, with prices for each plate. This change in service style is the driving force behind the design intention, large isles and less obstructions for servers are crucial for easily serving food and allowing guest to focus their attention on the food being brought around. 

Photo 1 & 2 © State Bird Provisions

Image 3, 5 © SF Eater

Image 4 © Bon Appetit

Barista Parlor

Name: Barista Parlor
Location: Nashville, TN

I seem to have a sweet spot for well crafted cafes. 

Maybe it was the years spent behind an espresso machine that gave me my appreciation for the perfectly executed cup. It goes without saying then, that a well-crafted space that encourages this beautiful art form, will always be able to grab my attention.

Barista Parlor is located in Nashville, TN and successfully crafted a space for locals but staying true to their roots. Using only Nashville made products and materials sourced from the area, the details shine.

The custom crafted tables, chairs, stools, lights and shelves all come from local artisans right in the area and add a warmth to the large space. 

The antiques and found object located throughout the space have a curated feel and bring in the Nashville flair while the large pixelated ship artwork enhances the colors of the wood.

Image 1 © TMagazine

Image 2- 5 © Zarna's Runway

Image 6 © Nashville Scene

Virtue Feed & Grain

Name: Virtue Feed and Grain

Location: Alexandria, VA
Design: Cathal & Meshelle Armstrong

With the restaurant's name taken from the buildings original use; a feed house, Virtue converted the warehouse like space into a casual & welcoming neighborhood spot.

With large timber framing, metal fixtures and support beams, and brick and wood used throughout the interior, the large space has taken on a more approachable and warm feel.

The mix of seating groups and styles assures all guests will be comfortable within the space while also allowing for multiple group types and activities to function simultaneously. 

All photos © Virtue Feed and Grain

Parts & Labour

Name: Parts & Labour
Location: Toronto
Design: Castor Design

Located in an old hardware store, Parts & Labor serves to be an alternative to the typical watering hole offering in Toronto. harvesting ingredients from their rooftop garden and offering art installations and music in the basement, the space is part hipster, part punk-rock.

The powder-coated steel & leather spring stools line the bar while custom pendant fixtures and community tables flank the wall. 

Dinners get a view into the kitchen through the glass partition.

The entry of the space features custom limestone stools and a steel host stand.

All photos © Remodelista

Plow

Name: Plow
Location: San Francisco

Plow, located in San Francisco, reminds me of the SF wine country. The use of natural materials, natural light, and industrial touches are reminiscent of being out on the farm.

The muted simple and muted color palate helps draw your eye to the large bay of windows which create an instant connection to the outside. All of the materials and labor came from their Potrero hill zip code and the food is local and seasonal as well. 

Plow oozes with San Francisco characteristics and fits well into the fabric of it's surroundings.

Photos © Dwell

Neptune Oyster

Name: Neptune Oyster
Location: Boston, MA



Located in Boston's North End, Neptune Oyster is a classically detailed oyster bar filled with character.

Tin ceilings, detailed wood moldings and trims, classic subway tile, and period fixtures create a welcoming and nautical feeling to this small space. 

Having the oyster bar, the central point of the restaurant, located at the front of the space catches guests attention as they walk by while also showcasing the fresh seafood selections being offered. 

Image 1 © Food in Mouth

Image 2-4 © Flickr

Image 5-6 © Cathydanh flickr

Local Favorite; The Publican

Name: The Publican
Location: Chicago, IL

One of my favorite spots in Chicago for oysters and meat is hands down, The Publican.

Located in Chicago's booming restaurant scene over in the West Loop, the space is communal and raw which goes perfectly with the food it serves.

The long communal table wraps around the interior of the restaurant creating an energy and allowing a variety of groups to be seated at the same time. 

Along the wall, are more private dining options, all of which hold four people in a corral-like setting. Once again, fitting for the carnivore lovers menu.

The custom shaker inspired seats pair well with the yellow tones and raw woods in the space.

The repetition of globe pendants is simple but creates a dramatic visual element in the otherwise monotoned space.

All images © The Publican via Bob Briskey

Stefano's Fine Food

Name: Stefano's Fine Food Factory (Store)
Location: Kiev, Ukraine
Design: Vladimir Nepiyvoda, Dmitry Bonesko

Located in the Ukraine, Stefano's Fine Food Factory elevates the grocer experience. 

With a rich warm color palate, ornate details in the architecture, and great fixtures, this food store creates a unique and inviting retail food experience. 

The details of the wood slat ceiling and iron posts contrasted with the modern, modular wall fixtures and graphic walls truly make this space stand out. 

All photos © Behance

Local Favorite; Ada Street

Name: Ada Street
Location: Chicago, IL

Tucked away in an industrial part of Chicago, Ada street restaurant is a welcome contrast to the gritty urban exterior. You enter through the dimly lit lounge and are guided down a long hall lined with vintage lockers storing the restaurants wine selection. At the end of the hall is additional vintage storage, but this time for their extensive record collection. The dining space opens up from here allowing you to pass by the open kitchen and head chef Zoe at the helm. 

A look at the intimate space;

A wide range of design aesthetics were used but all were kept minimal and comfortable. A banquet wrapped in army blankets flanks the wall with two-top spots in the center. The opposite wall is dominated by their large glass-backed, and well stocked bar. 

 Past the dining room is Ada's great outdoor back patio complete with artificial grass, picnic tables and checkered table clothes. While we were visiting, Ada was featuring a menu focused around the grill and luckily we got to experience some wonderful dishes cooked right outside our table. 

A look at what we ate;

Stuffed zucchini blossom with heirloom tomatoes, foie gras with bing cherries & toasted ciabatta, grilled market flatbread with zucchini, scallop with corn puree and crispy potato, and we ended the night with brioche donuts with port wine caramel.

I would go back for the scallop, flatbread and donuts. The zucchini blossom is always a win but I only wish they could have given two. The foie gras, was good, but served cold which threw me off a bit.

Photos 1&3 © Ada Street Facebook

Photos 2 &4 © Kaper Desgin