Each week, the crew at Restaurant Design Concepts will look at what we think are outstanding uses of restaurant design in the Bay Area and beyond. Offering our recognition, this is our first in a series of blog articles that tip our hats to restaurants and their owners who have figured out how to make the most of space, lighting, contemporary design and color. But it’s not all about design. We also felt the food, service and overall ambiance made these especially stand out.
This week’s picks are as follows:
Open since July of last year in Berkeley, Ippudo is focused on creating a new ramen culture in the hopes that people all over the world will enjoy Japanese food and will also come to understand and love Japanese culture. Visiting Ippudo in Berkeley is truly an experience as you are surrounded by a creative use of wood and glass. There is great use of detail in the columns, which add to the ambiance and makes the space that much more vibrant.
In Alameda, Trabocco offers world class Italian cuisine in a family friendly setting, year-round outdoor dining and lounge and a sleek, dynamic bar. The open kitchen, anchored by a black-tiled Stefano-Ferrara pizza oven, lets guests see the excitement of the kitchen in action and offers counter seating for front row views. RDC gave this restaurant a nod for its exhibition kitchen, high ceiling and very functional back bar for bartenders that looks great while still being all about efficiency.
This establishment was conceived and created in the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Valley; a belief that given a positive workplace, and a commitment to excellence, people of diverse talents can gather together and build a better product. Asa Los Altos embraces what it is like to live and work in Northern California. An American restaurant with influences from generations of Spanish and Italian heritage, ASA makes great use of an open floor plan and great lighting with a contemporary design and an efficient and productive flow that translates nicely into a great experience for customers and employees.
Rogue Kitchen and Wetbar in Vancouver, BC offers a chic, airy setting for inventive comfort food & classic dishes plus cocktails & 30 beers on tap. Unique light fixtures brighten up the space. This restaurant is one to look at for it’s use of lighting all around – especially it’s use of lighting within the bar area. So next time you visit Vancouver, make sure to have this one on your list.