Here are a few restaurant openings that caught our editors' eyes.
Coquette, Chicago
Designed by Maison Bonhomme, this rose-colored restaurant recently opened in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. In this modern spin on a classic French bistro, French New Wave meets fire-cooked menu items, world-class cocktails and natural wines. Coquette pays tribute to the style of Mondrian, YSL, Godard and Bauhaus, using bold colors and simple geometric shapes to express a postmodern aesthetic. Vibrant interiors fashioned with curvaceous furnishings wrapped in soft textures and a palette of pinks and lavenders offer a distinct, cohesive vision.
To bring Coquette’s design to life, Maison Bonhomme collaborated closely with a dynamic design team that includes Luca Lanzetta Group, Popham Design, Molteni&Co, Viabizzuno, Sogni Di Cristallo, Viccarbe and Antoniolupi.
Images by Wade Hall for Bonhomme Group
Miller & Lux, San Francisco
Spread across two floors, this 7,000-square-foot waterfront steakhouse was designed by Ken Fulk, executive architect with MBH Architects, for celebrity chef and operator Tyler Florence. On the first floor, guests can enjoy drinks while sitting at the counter and full bar. The main dining room and kitchen are located on the second level. Both floors boast unobstructed views of the San Francisco Bay, connected by an elaborate wrought iron central stair that provides a seamless flow in the restaurant. The team framed the restaurant’s interior with brass millwork and dark marble finishes featuring a caramel and gold color palette to create a feeling of elegance. The interior features plush, circular booths; custom-cut dining tables; and lighting that gives off a golden glow. The sophisticated, 147-seat upscale dining destination also offers a private dining room for intimate occasions, table-side service with food carts, and an outdoor patio.
Images courtesy of Douglas Friedman
Mala Sichuan Bistro at MKT, Houston
Gin design group brings the natural beauty of the Sichuan countryside to this restaurant inside the MKT mixed-use marketplace in Houston via the use of art installations and finish applications. A handmade wooden frame of a traditional Chinese pagoda is installed above a central seating area and dozens of glowing Chinese lanterns float up to 20 feet above as if just released into the sky. Impressions of ginkgo leaves glow on earthen plaster walls, traditional clay roof tiles from the bar and stack brick creates a rustic seating area at the entry. The patio connects the restaurant to a popular bike trail.
Images courtesy of Bill Kramptiz for TK Images
Toca Madera, Las Vegas
Modern Mexican steakhouse Toca Madera recently opened an outpost in Las Vegas in the Aria Resort and Casino. Designed by Monochrome, the in-house design firm for California-based multiconcept operator Noble 33, this third iteration of the brand features 220 sets with a spacious lounge and speakeasy. Highlights of the 10,000-square-foot restaurant include an immersive art piece, The Bird’s Nest, that serves as the restaurant’s grand entry point with a nest-like structure, lush treescape and reflecting pond. The dining area features handcrafted custom woodwork, plush velvet upholsteries, custom lighting and a rich biophilic design. The menu offers a curated selection of premium Australian and Japanese beef, ranging from 2 to 40 ounces.
Images courtesy of Ryan Forbes
