The Potting Shed

Name: The Potting Shed (at the Grounds of Alexandria)
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Design: Acme & Co

It looks like The Grounds of Alexandria has been growing; both literally & figuratively. One of the newest additions to their already beautiful space (Check out photos of their roaster and cafe, here.) is The Potting Shed. This patio addition does a great job blending into the grounds and creates a welcoming retreat.

Check out the custom draft tower and more images after the jump-

Ranger Station

Name: Ranger Station
Location: Snowmass, CO
Design: Scout Regalia

   

As quickly as winter has appeared, so too have the thoughts of a snowy mountain getaway. New Belgium's Ranger Station, located near lifts at Snowmass Village, has the rustic yet contemporary vibe that is the perfect aesthetic for it's mountain local. 

Bar Sajor

Name: Bar Sajor
Location: Seattle, Wa
Design:

Matt Dillon, 2012 James Beard Award Winner and chef/restauranteur behind Sitka and Spruce, opened up Bar Sajor early this year in Pioneer square.  With a similar open kitchen layout and earthy lightness, the interior feels like a more 'dressed up' version of Sitka & Spruce in all the right ways.

Sitka & Spruce

Name: Sitka & Spruce
Location: Seattle, WA
Design: Unkown

Located in Melrose Market, a vintage auto garage dating back to 1919 and 1928 respectively, Sitka & Spruce has quickly climbed to the top of my Seattle restaurant list. With an over the top open concept and location amongst exceptional vendors, it's easy to see why. 

The Commune Social

Name: The Commune Social
Location:Neri&Hu Design and Research Office
Design: Shanghai, China

The Commune Social is a great example of a well balanced, rustic meets modern, space. With small, compartmentalized interior spaces, each area is minimal and well defined.

Noodlebox

Name: Noodlebox
Location: Shelbourne Victoria, BC
Design: Evoke

For a large chain, Noodlebox has done a great job re-imagining their brand. Using a limited color palate, custom fixtures, and a heavy hand of wood, the space is a balance of rustic and modern.

Abattoir

Name: Abattoir
Location: Atlanta, GA
Design: Unknown

With a name French for 'slaughterhouse', Abattoir did a great job providing an interior that contrasts it's name while simultaneously providing nods to the spaces meat packing past. 

J.G. Domestic

Name: J.G. Domestic
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Design: Unknown

J.G. Domestic, another space from well known chef and restauranteur Jose Garces, is the definition of modern farmhouse. Rustic timber sits alongside lush foliage and modern lines to create an updated take on tradition. 

Lowbrau Bierhalle

Name: Lowbrau Bierhalle
Location: Sacramento, CA
Graphic Design: Band

Lowbrau bierhalle is a modern interpretation of the traditional German Beer Hall. I love that they took a traditional concept, reinterpreted it for their local, and created a space that refreshingly different while still playing homage to the original. 

Local 360

Name: Local 360
Location: Seattle, WA
Graphic Design: Sleep Op

Another great spot in Seattle is Local 360. Located in the Belltown neighborhood, it focus on locally sourced, sustainable fare. The interior follows creating a rustic and warm interior using barn wood,  vintage style pendants, and intimate spaces for diners.

Contigo

Name: Contigo
Location: Austin, TX

Located in East Austin, Contigo seeks to be an extension of the owners family ranch. With a rustic and communal vibe, the interior and patio offer up a great dining experience. 

Nights and Weekends

Name: Nights and Weekends
Location: Brooklyn, NY

 Nights and Weekends is a small cuban spot with the classic 'Brooklyn' feel. Warm, inviting, and comfortable are all words that come to mind when thinking about this local spot. 

The Abbot's Cellar

Name: The Abbott's Cellar
Location: San Francisco, CA
Design: Lundberg Design

The Abbot's Cellar is a well crafted and warm restaurant located in San Francisco. The design stays streamlined and clean, and gives new light to some mainstream trends.

King + Duke

Name: King + Duke
Location: Atlanta, GA
Design: Meyer Davis Studio

Recently opened in Atlanta, King + Duke is the the fourth restaurant in Ford Fry's restaurant family. Playing off of the novel 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' the restaurant is deceptively casual and relaxed and features early American cooking techniques and rustic cuisine. 

Local favorite; The Purple Pig

Name: The Purple Pig
Location: Chicago, IL

The Purple Pig is easily one of my favorite dining spots in the city. With an intimate and warm space, great wine list, and fun menu it easily fits the bill for just about any occasion. Even with an hour average wait time (every day, all year long…), The Purple Pig is the restaurant we frequent the most often and the place we are most likely to take visitors.

The Riding House Cafe

Name: The Riding House Cafe
Location: London
Architect: Lou Davis

Classic style lovingly pairs with vintage wares at The Riding House Cafe. Repurposed theater chairs, industrial accents, and rich wood layer together to create a warm and welcoming space.

Local Favorite: Bow Truss

Name: Bow Truss
Location: Chicago, IL


With NeoCon just around the corner, I wanted to give all those headed into town a look at one of my favorite coffee shops near the Mart.

Bow Truss is a local, small batch roaster with two locations in Chicago. While both serve amazing coffee, their newest location in River North is the stand out in terms of design. 

A smaller space than their original, the River North location still maintains the rustic, reclaimed, and hip nature the original East Lakeview location is known for but does it a more thoughtful and concentrated manor. 

Images © Zagat, Doejo

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.

Hock Farms

Name: Hock Farms
Location: Sacremento, CA
Design: Beta Form Industries

Hock Farms is a bright & slightly modern space that still captures a bit of rustic warmth within it's walls.

Manzanilla

Name: Manzanilla
Location: New York
Design: Meyer Davis

Manzanilla is a Spanish brasserie that creates an intimate environment within its large space.