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The arrival of spring may bring daffodils and gentle breezes, but it also signals the arrival of restaurant patrons who want to sit outside.

We’ve all seen (and some of us have written) breathless headlines like: “What’s Hot in Restaurant Design Right Now!” or “6 Big Trends Shaping Restaurant Interiors.” There’s no end to what’s on trend — and what’s not.

Designed by De Horeca Fabriek, a restaurant design firm based in The Hague, MaMa Kelly Amsterdam, which opened in November 2017, seats 230 and spans more than 10,000 square feet. 

The Balcony is a polished-casual, small plates concept designed to offer guests the experience of a classic, old-school New Orleans restaurant in one of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.’s trendiest dining areas.

Equipment is such a critical component of any restaurant, and operators need to weigh all sides before making a decision.

In this Q&A with Desmond Reilly, co-owner of Chicken + Whiskey in Washington, D.C., we discovered what inspired the space. 

Immersive dining and drinking experiences are nothing new, but they’re gaining ground as their core patrons — Millennials — continue to seek out adventure and prioritize new experiences over acquiring new possessions. 

The bar on quality is rising fast and so are project costs. Technology, social media and next-gen designers are changing the game at every level. Consumer expectations continue to evolve. And it’s no longer good enough to simply design functional, great-looking restaurants: Today, it’s all about creating experiences.