Taste of Design

By: Sari Lisch

Some people pick restaurants based on the food, the cuisine, or their favorite dessert. Others pick a place to eat based on the ambiance, decor, and those small details that make the restaurant their restaurant. Sari’s blog, Taste of Design, will capture the unique details that make these spaces fabulous places to frequent.

My Most Favorite Food: A Secret Garden

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

My Most Favorite FoodOn your way into the restaurant you first pass tables that are enclosed in a glass area. These patrons can easily feel they are eating outside. Great 72nd Street people watching as well! When I was first seated in the front I asked to move to the back part, I just had to have more ambiances and truly explore the place!

As I was led to the back of the restaurant you pass a lot of scrumptious desserts. This restaurant has a ‘tradition’ of having amazing desserts. Years ago they were called My Most Favorite Dessert Company. You can even buy the restaurant cookbook, which lines the shelves strategically before you enter the main dining area. Even though this is a pretty new venue, it has a longstanding history in Manhattan. In the small hallway on the way to the bathrooms the restaurant’s history is highlighted in reprints of Zagat reviews, newspaper articles, and other press clippings. The restaurant is broken up into three areas. The front which I just mentioned looks onto the street, and encompasses the take out area & counter bakery. The partitioned off middle section boasts bright orange booths with bright white walls. I love the modernity of the restaurant’s orange/white combo. They work the accent color so well.

The details are really noticeable in this sleek space. The leather bound menu holder, staff shirts, jazz music, dessert prints as artwork (yum), and the way the butter is presented (you’ll just have to go check it out yourself).

Last I’ll mention my favorite area, and the one I sat in. The back of the restaurant has exposed brick walls and a Garden Room feel. Natural sunlight pours in and you feel like you are outside since the overhead is all glass. A brick pillar separates the garden area from the middle area. Tiny lights are in the ceiling. I wonder how dark it gets at night, because the lighting is sparse in the back area.

The only negative to this space is that the sound echoes a lot in here since it is such an open space, especially if there are loud children. However I now know that is why they wanted us to sit in the front. I can’t wait to come back to see how romantic-ish the back can be with low lights. Also in the winter this will be a nice venue to frequent if I want to continue the eating outdoors feeling.

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Prime KO: It’s all in the details

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

I knew it was only a matter of time before I checked out the new Prime KO restaurant. A buzz has been going around about this place and it came highly recommended by a friend, “Finally a kosher restaurant that got it right!” I had to check it out for myself.

Prime KO
Prime KO

Your first clue that this is not just any restaurant is by the sword that acts as the door handle. Once you enter you are welcomed by friendly hosts behind a reservation area – I don’t remember ever seeing this in a kosher restaurant! The lobby’s walls have cascading Japanese flowers screened on them and round stunning lamps hang from the ceiling. I love the look of these and they are carried out throughout the upstairs of the restaurant. The furniture is leather- a very modern look. I was impressed there was an area to sit down, relax, and wait for the rest of my party to join me. It is also separate from the seating area¬, so you are not on top of anyone trying to enjoy their meal! I was already impressed and I didn’t even enter the main rooms.

I happened to eat downstairs and was guided down a stairway, but I did have a chance to review the top level area. Plenty of seating and a few tables that are close enough to the floor to ceiling windows and watch the passerby on 85th St. Your eye also leads you towards the back-lit red burst that is on the far wall.

Downstairs has a sushi bar with seven barstools as well as a cocktail bar with a television. I’m amazed at how many ‘areas’ this restaurant fit into its floor plan. The walls are tufted in sections and the tables are nicely spread out so you are not on top of the other patrons. The lighting is a bit softer and there are even some ‘nooks’ to sit in, dark wooden floors, and screens on the walls. So many things were taken into consideration to make this place feel calm, yet modern.

Some other observations that I noticed included: nice lounge music playing and as the night gets later, the music gets louder. The bathroom also had music streaming through speakers and some nice touches in there, such as Molton Brown soaps.

Now I usually don’t talk about the food, as this is a design review, but the presentation of everything was so artfully displayed. A friend of mine was saying this week that she isn’t a fish person and wasn’t going to go to Prime KO when I referred it to her. I was aghast as she listed another boring kosher venue she was going to frequent. I mentioned even if you aren’t into fish they have other entries and the desserts itself are worth the trip! I hope she took my advice.

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SoomSoom: A Sleek Vegetarian Spot

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

This week while running some errands on the UWS I passed SoomSoom, I noticed it was kosher, ‘paused’ walked on and walked back to go inside. I was blown away by the graphics on the outside and was curious to see what other design elements lurked inside. The outside is a blast of white screen printed typographic words & elements, which are clear and fresh. When I notice such thought put into the exterior design, I can only imagine that the interior is well thought out as well.

soomsoom_postThe front is all glass so you can peer inside for a preview – and I noticed a family photo blown up on the ceiling level, but at a height that allows an outsider to see. It’s the mix of new design vs. old world heritage that initially drew me inside. The waiter told me that it is the owner’s family in the photo. When you first enter you notice the sleek wooden raised tables. There are three in total with wooden stools to sit on. The rectangular tables have a glass top, and the wooden slabs in the wall are bordered by a white deli style tile, which is a nice mix of old & new. Lamps jet out of the walls echoing a urban street look.

The back of soomsoom has a large blackboard which boasts the daily specials and I noticed the neat artistic handwriting. Most of the food preparation is in the back and out of eyesight. (Note: The salad bar looks fresh and healthy!) Yes healthy – you can tell this vegetarian joint boasts awareness of its ingredients and preparation, because a graphic iconic sign takes up a large portion of the wall illustrating and listing everything from basil to mint leaves and includes transliteration into Hebrew. Just by walking in, I learned soomsoom means “sesame”! Israeli music plays in the background and as I took in the visuals I sipped a cup of Moroccan tea happily. I’ll definitely be back and I can’t forget to mention one of the best features is the table that looks out onto the street. Who can beat 72nd street people watching?

Click Here for the SoomSoom listing

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NOIDUE: Poco Ma Buono

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

I couldn’t wait to eat at the Italian restaurant Noidue, (as everyone seemed to be raving about it, but I had to SEE the place for myself) and once I did, I have been back several times. The entrance is a bit misleading, as you have to walk down some stairs to gain access to the door. Noidue is still a fairly new establishment, so I’m ok with the fact that their sign is still a hanging banner. Once inside you clearly feel like you are in a unique underground space. Small arches with interspersed bricks and wooden planks line the ceiling towards the back wall. A gorgeous stone back wall with a wood burning oven is the focal point of the restaurant. The remaining walls are painted a soft lime green.

Noi Due

Noi Due

However, paying attention to the details when you first walk in the door, a decadent dessert cabinet catches your eye! The coffee bar takes up a large space on the right side of the restaurant and it’s wrapped in brick and wood. You are able to stop in and order an espresso drink, without having to sit down. While waiting for our table we were served a lemon spice tea. I thought that was such a nice touch to the ambiance and spoke volumes about the hospitality, since we had not been seated yet.

I happened to be there for dinner and noticed dim lighting, with candles lit on each table. There are mostly tables for two, but they are flexible to move tables together for larger parties. I really liked the lamps that extended from the ceilings. They seemed to be handpicked from the artist themselves. I instantly imagined myself taking over a table in the middle of the day here with my laptop. Seemed like it would be a nice place to just order coffee and get some work done. The restaurant is always full at night (not sure what type of patronage frequents during the day).

Being the graphic designer that I am, I was impressed with the layout of the menu and the logo of the restaurant. By the way, Noidue means (two of us) and Poco Ma Buono (means a little bit good) – I asked the waiter since they wear black t-shirts with the name and logo screen printed on them. The pictures on the back wall are of Italian scenes, but could also resemble Tzfat, which I thought was very interesting.

The wait staff is extremely friendly and may I add good looking. Their eagerness to please each patron adds a positive element to the ambiance of this restaurant. There is a definite buzz to this place, as it is usually full and everyone is chatting away at their tables. I usually don’t talk about the food, but there is no question how good everything tastes and is presented. My brother (a hospitality management major) accompanied me on one of my most recent meals and noted how impressed he was with this restaurant. Enough said.

 

Click Here for the NoiDue listing

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Second Avenue Deli

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Second Avenue Deli

Second Avenue Deli

­­The Authentic Second Avenue Deli now sits at 162 32nd Street, closer to 3rd Avenue, and received a design overhaul when it moved into its new space. The restaurant retained the ‘deli’ feel, but also added warm and modern decor to its old world charm. The logo is the first visual you notice when walking in and I love that the English letters mimic Hebrew letters. There is also a clock hanging outside with Hebrew letters instead of numbers. Kosher salamis hanging from the deli counter greet you at the entrance to the venue, which boasts meats and salads. The restaurant even sells t-shirts, hats and pre-packaged 2nd Ave Deli foods. Counter service is available for about four people (I noted how many stools were available). I notice that the restaurant is broken down into sections. The logo is repeated on a high glass partition, so the space is actually cozier and more intimate than your usual open space. You can seat large and small parties and are not sitting on top of one other. The aisle down the middle (between partitions) makes it easy access for the wait staff to move through the seated areas, without disturbing the patrons. There are also a few small charming booths to dine in.

Second Avenue Deli

Second Avenue Deli

The heritage and history of this restaurant can still be seen in the Yiddish photographs and newspaper headlines that frame the walls. Custom lamps are affixed to the wall, which I was pretty impressed with. Brown, blue, and white tiles form a pattern on the floor, which then extends to the walls and is also mirrored in the menu design. Paper placemats, which have a painting of the older Second Ave Deli location, lay on each tiled table, which I think is a nice added touch against the new modern style. This is a very popular spot and is usually crowded. I felt they wanted to turn over the tables quickly, so be prepared to order extra refills or dessert!

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Mike’s Bistro

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Mike’s Bistro is one of the nicest kosher restaurants that New York City has to offer. Before I head over, I made a reservation, preferably for the top floor. More on that to come.  Mike's Bistro

I walk in and am immediately greeted enthusiastically by a warm staff. I’m offered to sit at the bar, which I notice has a brick wraparound and four leather barstools. Towards the front of the restaurant wooden steps lead you up to a raised street level. Tables are set up and a view to the street can be requested. The restaurant boasts three different seating areas. There is this raised street level, a ground level, and an upstairs level. The tables in this restaurant are spread out with plenty of movable space for the wait staff and patrons. You’re able to sit and easily have a conversation with your dining companion. The ground level has a warm orange glow from the stained glass lamps that are affixed to the surrounding walls. There are unique details from the debossed wooden ceilings to the linen tablecloths covering each table. I notice jazz music being played in the background, softly, and it becomes part of the atmosphere. Wooden steps lead you upstairs to the second floor. This floor is a bit quieter and unique, with a high ceiling and wooden floors. To me it has a townhouse feel, and this is why I always request it. A brick fireplace greets you as you walk up the stairs. Branches are wound a bit around the banister; these details gives the place character without being cheesy. The exposed brick wall adds a wonderful feel to this level. Eleven smaller tables are included and some small ‘nooks’ with archways hold smaller tables, which makes that seating a bit more private. The service is so wonderful at Mike’s Bistro that it becomes part of the design and ambiance. With New Year’s Eve just around the corner, this is where I’ll be making my reservation.

Click here for the Mike’s Bistro listing

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Wild Ginger

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Wild GingerWhenever I am downtown in the Nolita area I enjoy stopping by Wild Ginger. A cozy spot tucked away on bustling Broome Street. It’s a Pan-Asian Vegetarian café. On this particular visit a vase of sunflowers greeted us as we walked through the doorway’s fabric curtains, which are tasteful and inviting. Exposed brick surrounds you on two of the three walls and the back wall is painted a lime green. Lamps hang from the ceiling and at night the soft glow really intensifies the coziness of this place. It’s a quiet place to sit with friends or on a date. The music is atmospheric and adds a background layer to your dining experience. The restaurant boasts thirteen wooden tables with a long bench running alongside the right wall. Small pillows are spread out over the bench seating and tables can easily be pushed together for larger parties. It’s the clean, laid back, friendly attentive service that really makes my visit a memorable one. I was very impressed with the food presentation and I took some culinary visual observations to use during my own hospitality.

Wild Ginger Store

The restaurant quotes that their ‘evening dining atmosphere is pure café style—intimate and low key.’ I agree. It is unique that they have a few kosher meshuval wines (ask for the kosher wine menu) and we were able to view the bottles before ordering. So if you are in the mood for a nice glass of wine in a relaxed setting, and wholesome fresh food this may be your place.

Click here for the Wild Ginger listing

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U Café: A Bistro Experience

Monday, October 26th, 2009

ucafe1_web

One of my regular spots to grab gab time with friends and sit in a relaxed bistro setting, is at U Café. This small European-style café holds about eighteen tables and the back of the restaurant includes an area to take-away some desserts for later. Scoring a doorway seat is key, as the front windows open to the outside Avenue (in the warmer months). Being that it’s situated on the quaint Upper East Side, it thankfully doesn’t get to noisy. Personally, sitting outside always makes me feel like I am on vacation, even in my own city.

ucafe2_web

French Vintage Posters line the warm bold yellow & orange painted walls, which are bright enough to be modern and cheerful without overbearing. I scan the room realizing every detail was thought out, from the the modern stainless steel vases that adorn each table to the authentic café chairs that add a touch of Paris to this restaurant. It’s the airy inviting feel you get from U Café that sets this restaurant apart from many others.

Click here for the U Cafe listing

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