Aba at Music Lane in Austin, Texas, is the second location of the Lettuce Entertain You (LEYE) Mediterranean concept that first launched in Chicago. The Texas outpost has a strong emphasis on outdoor seating and the restaurant’s design centers on a 100-year-old heritage Oak tree.
The expansive space features a 2,000-square-foot dining room that seats 86. The design leverages a warm and earthy color scheme, stone surfaces and wood beams, and an indoor trellis with climbing ivy and other greenery throughout. The 3,000-square-foot multi-level patio and outdoor terrace seats 130. It features a semi-private raised deck with a vibrant living plant wall and a 10-seat outdoor bar with a plaster finish that evokes the look and feel of the Mediterranean.
Lighting serves as a key design component. The restaurant features a curated collection of decorative lighting that includes glass and metal lanterns from Morocco and the Middle East. The dining room centers on a cluster of copper, bronze and gold shallow dome pendants. The strategic placement of LED pin spots highlight design elements, accent walls and tables. Additionally, an operable window wall behind the bar tucks into the ceiling but opens with a push of a button to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
A 1,500-square-foot kitchen completes the space, which was designed by John Cinelli, LEYE’s director of architecture with Austin-based Sixthriver serving as the architect of record. More information about Aba and its kitchen design is available in this article from rd+d sister publication Foodservice Equipment & Supplies.
Images courtesy of Chase Daniel
