Pretty Table
In this month’s Metropolis, Steven Heller bemoans the lack of design (graphics/architecture/etc.) reference in the art of the restaurant review (”Missing Component” April 2008). Tantalizing and even lengthy description is offered of cuisine and service at eating establishment, but rarely does a review mention the overall experience, “much less throw a rice noodle to the graphic designer.”
Ordering a $30 meal off a b&w xeroxed menu requires a certain leap of faith, and I have to admit to being quite a sucker for a pretty menu (or bakery tag, no less). I don’t really remember what I ate at Public in New York (well, other than the sage scone), but I remember loving just about everything about the interiors, the menu, and the mini packaged soaps in the powder room. I am thrilled to see Heller’s first mention of Spice Market, which celebrates Neutra in all its classic and clean glory, clearly a nice foil for the cartouche and floral filagree.
To add to Heller’s assortment of restaurants that get it quite right, I nominate Gaslight. Not only do they have a real logo mosaic, a highly styled menu, fantastic light fixtures, and nice staff (willing to refill my soda + bitters no less than five times), but they actually have little gas laterns lined up along their exterior. Add to that a hot baguette and I am sold on even the escargot.
I took a couple quick shots on my way over to the studio this morning — I think these clearly demonstrate the attention to detail that makes me want to go for a creamy croque monsieur time and time again.
{ the unconfirmed rumor is the design work for Gaslight was done by Tank }