Picnic

Name: Picnic
Location: Paris (Concept; Not Built)
Design: Studio Ko

Picnic, a concept restaurant created in Paris showcases how minimalist design, paired with bold pattern, can create a vibrant and fun experience. 

Elbow Room

Name: Elbow Room
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Graphic Design: mgmt. design
Interior: Greg Yang Design

I love it when the graphic design, identity, and interior all come together to form a cohesive space and presentation. The Elbow Room restaurants are a great example of this cohesive and thought through design. 

Moustache Milk + Cookie Bar

Name: Moustache Milk + Cookie Bar
Location: Auckland, NZ

A Concept Divided; Origo

Name: Origo
Location: Bucharest, Romania
Design: Lama Architectura

A trend I've been watching for a while now is duel-concepts under a single roof. If done well, they can offer the owner maximum ROI, attract a larger demographic, and merge interests. Origo, in Romania has done just this by splitting their space and concept by time; coffee shop in the morning, cocktail bar at night. 

Fish Shack

Name: Fish Shack
Location: Vancouver, BC

Fish Shack is a great example of common materials used in unexpected and uncommon way to create something completely unique.

Using traditional materials associated with the fishing industry; ropes, wood crates and palates and industrial, galvanized fixtures plays homage to the overall concept.

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.

Dishoom

Name: Dishoom
Location: London
Design: AfroditiKrassa

Dishoom was designed to revitalize and pay tribute to the traditional cafes of Bombay. Concentrating on telling the story of these cafes, as well as keeping true to the architectural and design tradition, the space reflects old traditions and values while remaining firmly planted in the now.

Craftsman & Wolves

Name: Craftsman & Wolves

Location: San Francisco, CA

Craftsman & Wolves is a speciality bakery located in San Francisco. What I love about this concept is simply how much they managed to elevate the experience of a typical bakery. Clean lines, simple materials, and a bit of rustic/ industrialall contrast the jewel-like qualities of the pastry displays.

Stefano's Fine Food

Name: Stefano's Fine Food Factory (Store)
Location: Kiev, Ukraine
Design: Vladimir Nepiyvoda, Dmitry Bonesko

Located in the Ukraine, Stefano's Fine Food Factory elevates the grocer experience. 

Catalina Fernández

Name: Catalina Fernández
Location: San Pedro, Mexico

There is something so compelling about a simple, well though out concept. Branding and design truly go hand-in-hand and Catalina Fernandez Pastry boutique is a great example of this.

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.

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. 

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+