Our Work; The Savoy (Odyssey)

Name: The Savoy
Location: Chicago, IL



A project we had the pleasure of working on this past spring recently opened it's doors in the Wicker Park neighborhood, right here in Chicago. For this project, we were involved in the schematic & design development phases and helped the client layout the space, design the initial concept, as well as specify the initial FF&E items for within the space. 


The concept behind the space began with the original name for the space; Odyssey. Taking Homer's Epic and applying it to the space allowed us to play with a dark nautical concept. Using this as our starting base, we refined our concept down into natural and classic materials (woods, ropes, subway tile, mirrors) with warm earth tones for colors. To keep the space from going too nautical in feeling, we specified & envisioned industrial lighting, worn antiques and warm brass shelving mixed with pieces already owned. The space was ultimately renamed before opening but the initial concept remained.



The shotgun space was fragmented into multiple seating areas which were reworked in order to accommodate a raw bar, main dining space, bar seating, and a private room. The design throughout the space was created to darken as you continue through the space. The entry and raw bar were designed to be light & airy while the private room, the farthest room in the space, was designed to be dark, moody, & intimate. The dining and bar space in-between tie the spaces together and create a seamless transition for the guest. 

Conceptual FF&E specifications and ideas for The Savoy (Odyssey)
Below are interior and exterior 3D views that were created to show the progression throughout the space. They also show multiple ideas that we worked with while refining the layout and seating options. 





Below are some finished shots of the now open space. While some ideas evolved slightly, the overall concept, idea, and FF&E selections were carried through. 



Photos 2-7 © Kaper Design
Photos 1, 8-9 © Eater Chicago




Local Favorite; Grass Fed

Name: Grass Fed
Location: Chicago, IL


What I love about the interior of Grass Fed, a Bucktown/Wicker park steak house, is that the interior steers clear of any typical steakhouse associations. You could almost describe Grass Fed as your girlfriends steakhouse. The script font, bright interior, and topiaries all add a distinctive feminine touch to what has typically always been a masculine concept.





The new facade sets the tone for the interior space with it's bright, white paint, scalloped awnings, and perfectly green topiaries. 


The interior carries on the bright white and green palate while material choices give a nod to the classic farmhouse. 



 All photos © Grass Fed

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


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

Local Favorite; Butcher & the Burger

Name: Butcher & the Burger
Location: Chicago, IL

One of the great things about the Chicago food scene is that you truly can create anything, and have it be successful as long as you stick to a concept. Butcher & the Burger did just that and created a great local burger spot in the process. Focused on made-to-order, custom burgers (think grass-fed, salmon, bison, etc.) and thick cut Kennebec fries, the local burger joint is also a butcher shop and classroom of sorts giving hands-on butcher & cooking experience to anyone interested.

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The interior is a great mix of industrial and traditional Chicago. Exposed brick walls, industrial stools & fittings, antiques from old butcher shops, and hand-cut Carrara marble subway tiles help create a blend of high & low. 

Butcher and the Burger

With a traditional Chicago row-house space, seating was maximized with stools that swing out from under the metal & pipe bar. 



Image 1-2 © Timeout Chicago
Image 3 © LTH Forum
Image 4-5 © Google+


The Trencherman

Name: The Trencherman
Location: Chicago, IL
Design: Kevin Heisner


One of the newest restaurants to pop up here in Chicago is The Trencherman. With vintage details, rich woods, and some surprising pops of color, the space is one I'm excited to try out. I love the utilization of the pipes above the booths for lighting and the bar extending beyond, creating a table of sorts built-it. The pop is blue found in the seating area on the upper level, is separated enough for it to define the space while also providing a bit of a transition from the entry to the main dining space.









Local Favorite; GT Fish & Oyster

Name: GT Fish & Oyster
Location: Chicago, IL
Design: Karen Herold/555


GT Fish & Oyster opened up in the Near North area of Chicago over a year ago and I'm not sure how I've not posted about it yet. The space is extremely well designed and found it's inspiration from luxury yachts. With a bright and open entry and bar area featuring a boomerang shaped table, the space seamlessly evolves into a darker, more intimate dining space tucked in the back.




The space features details like gold plating with the restaurants name and logo, custom chandeliers looking as though they have just been pulled from the sea, and small silver fishing weights' at every place setting. 






Image 1-4 © Fine Design Dine
Image 5-6 © GTOyster

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

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