Chapel Hill, NC
5750 SF

The reuse of an uninspiring former restaurant space to become a highly visible and visually stunning new restaurant concept was not easily achieved. The technical challenges of satisfying the requirements of both the health department and those of an owner with extremely discriminating tastes provided another degree of difficulty. Add to that a very aggressive schedule and budget and you get one of the most challenging restaurant projects that the firm has completed to date. In spite of all the challenges, we were able to deliver a striking space that is simultaneously elegant and understated.

With a very minimal palette of materials and colors and through the use of simple millwork pieces and drywall planes, the space is activated to display the two key components of the business; cooking and wine. The open kitchen allows the patrons to view the award-winning chef prepare their meals with energy and excitement. The wine is displayed in custom designed wood and steel cabinets which serve functionally as storage for the bottles and aesthetically as a repeating texture that highlights the vast selection of wines that are offered.