Clarks Oyster Bar

Name: Clark's Oyster Bar
Location: Austin, TX
Design: McGuire Moorman

Bright, preppy, and nautical are all thoughts that come to mind when stepping inside Clark's Oyster Bar in Austin, Texas. Being the little brother to Perla's, both spaces are clearly connected but both maintain their own identity and personality. 

Riffle NW

Name: Riffle NW

Location: Portland, OR

A well thought through concept is one where the restaurant owners consider all components of a guests' meal. From entry and exterior vantages, graphic design, and interior design, all the way to tableware, servers outfits, and take away, all components add up to create a cohesive concept. Riffle NW is a great example of a restaurant thinking through executing each of these components extremely well, providing a completely cohesive dining experience.

Oyster House

Name: Oyster House
Location: Philadelphia, PA

,

Oyster House, located in Philadelphia, is a great example of a small space that doesn't sacrifice on style.

Blending nautical, traditional, and industrial design components they have created a balanced and inviting local spot.

The Leadbelly

Name: The Leadbelly
Location: New York, NY

Located across from Fat Radish, The Leadbelly is a perfectly imperfect oyster bar.

We love the imperfectly plastered walls, great art, and kitschy feel to the space.

The Wright Brothers

Name: The Wright Brothers Soho Oyster House
Location: London

The Wright Brothers second location features classic details with a few unexpected twists. Located near London Bridge, Soho serves up oysters and other sea morsels from it's open raw bar. 

The Optimist

Name: The Optimist
Location: Atlanta, GA

The Optimist is bringing quality and fresh seafood seafood to landlocked Atlantans with their space continuing their story.

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.

B.A.R.

Name: B.A.R.
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

B.A.R. (Blasieholmens Akvarium Restaurang) is an approachable and timeless restaurant located in the heart of Stockholm. With a goal of serving 'uncomplicated, delicious fresh food' they have also managed to create a space fitting of the beautiful food being put out. With classic scandinavian details; neutral and bright color palate, natural materials, and simple yet beautiful displays and execution, B.A.R has given us a space that is bright, airy and yet approachable and comfortable. The almost handcrafted aesthetic to the space drives home the simple, handcrafted nature of the food which creates a perfect marriage of interior and food. This symbiotic relationship is what I believe to be necessary for a successful restaurant.

Image 1,6 © kikki-k

Image 2,6 © Koncept Stockholm

Image 3-5 © B.A.R.

Super Bowl Sunday; Boston vs NY

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!


Around here, battles and rivalries between cities are everywhere. We thought it would be fun to give you all an inside peak into how we decide who wins.

First, the contenders;

Name: Island Creek Oyster Bar

Location: Boston, MA

VS

Name: Marlow & Sons

Location: New York, NY

For this showdown, we will be judging on four separate criteria.  All of these are key components to a successful restaurant and are far more intertwined than many realize.

1. Creativity of Materials

2. Use of Space

3. Total Concept with Menu

4. Graphic Design & Website

First up; Island Creek Oyster Bar;

Images 1-4 © Thrillist

Image 5 © The eaten path

Image 6-8 © Design Shack

Next, Marlow & Sons

Image 1 © TLC Mag

Image 2,4 © A Hungry Girl

Image 3 © New York Diners Journal

Image 5 © Immaculate Infatuation

Image 6-8 ©On the inside mag via Claudio Papapietro

Image 7 © Paper Pastries

________________________________________________________

How they stack up:

1. Creativity of Materials- Island creek Oyster Bar (The creative use of oyster shells as a wall treatment blew us away. Beautiful, textural and understated.)

2. Use of Space- Marlow & Sons (The fact that you walk into a grocer before being led into the dark, intimate dining space was a great way to create an intimate dining experience.)

3. Total Concept with Menu- Island Creek Oyster Bar (The concept and execution of this space like one complete thought, Marlow & son's felt a bit scattered and less pulled together in concept.)

4. Graphic Design & Website- Island Creek Oyster Bar (While both restaurants had great graphic design, Island Creek nudged ahead with its use of unexpected bright color and web layout.)

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WINNER: ISLAND CREEK OYSTER BAR