Opening Shot: A Moscow Seafood Shop With a Clandestine Wine Bar

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern, a new restaurant and bar located at 234 E. Vine St. in Brewers Hill, is set to open its doors on Monday, Dec. 17. The establishment is the culmination of a decade-long dream for husband and wife team Wolfgang and Whitney Schaefer, who envisioned a casual dining spot where a love for food and communal meals could flourish. The restaurant will offer a menu of creative breakfast and lunch dishes, complemented by a selection of cocktails. The journey to opening Uncle Wolfie's began in 2015 when the Schaefers acquired the historic Miller Brewing Company tied house. Their initial focus was transforming the building's second floor into their family residence. Following this, they launched Orange and Blue Co., a home decor boutique featuring a curated blend of vintage and modern goods. The breakfast tavern represents the third and final phase of the property's revitalization, which brings an end to its nearly 40-year vacancy. For the restaurant's design, the Schaefers collaborated with 360 Degrees, a design and build firm known for its work with several city restaurants. Whitney Schaefer highlighted their desire to source many design elements themselves while relying on 360 Degrees for structurally sound components like the bar and tables, and for ensuring functionality and compliance with city regulations. Ryan Foat, project manager at 360 Degrees, described the project as a "from scratch" endeavor, noting the extensive work required to transform the space from a mere root cellar and implement modern hospitality elements, including HVAC systems. The design strategy honored the building's historical identity as a tied house, with the bar serving as the central focal point, designed to appear as if it had always been there. The current bar's footprint mirrors the original. Historical nods are evident throughout, from the light fixtures to a penny tile rug surrounding the bar. Repurposed elements include original hardwood flooring, wainscoting, and tin ceiling tiles meticulously restored by Wolfgang and installed above the bar. Foat emphasized the restaurant's intention to embody the hospitable and comforting atmosphere of old neighborhood establishments. The quartz-topped bar, seating 14, anchors the 40-seat restaurant, which also features banquette-style seating for 26 guests along the east and south walls. The interior boasts an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, with warm yellows and cool grays that complement the Cream City brick walls. A strong connection exists between the restaurant and the adjacent Orange and Blue Co. through decor items from local Milwaukee female artisans. Examples include custom cushions behind the banquettes, fabricated by Vanessa Andrew of Madam Chino using custom fabric and Loom House antique rugs, and hung with leather straps by Jess Goehner of Directive. Espresso mugs by Kim Eckroth of Covet & Ginger and ginger-colored wallpaper from Chasing Paper are also locally sourced, adding texture and a blend of masculine and soft elements to the space. Local artist Whitney Anderson of Wit & Co. contributed various art pieces, including a graphic illustration of Wolfgang's father. The menu at Uncle Wolfie's also blends classic and contemporary. Traditional offerings like Johnny cakes, steak and eggs, and classic eggs Benedict are available alongside innovative creations such as peanut butter and jelly stuffed French toast and a sweet potato chorizo omelet, with prices ranging from $7 to $12. Lunch options include salads, such as a hearty steak salad, and sandwiches. Highlights include a chicken salad, grilled cheese, the "BCSS" with house beet-cured salmon, and the Breaky Burger, an American cheese-stuffed burger topped with Weber’s mustard, raspberry balsamic pickled onions, bacon, and an egg. Lunch items are priced between $9 and $14. The bar will offer bottled and canned beer, a short wine list, and a variety of creative cocktails, from bloody marys to jasmine tea toddies, in addition to full coffee service. The tavern will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. #restaurantOpening #brewersHill #localBusiness #homeDecor #interiorDesign #historicRenovation #breakfast #lunch #cocktailBar

The article showcases 53, an Asian-fusion restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, designed by ICrave, led by founder and CEO Lionel Ohayon. Located at the base of Ateliers Jean Nouvel’s 53 West 53 residential tower, adjacent to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the restaurant aims to provide an immersive dining experience that transcends mere culinary satisfaction. Ohayon emphasizes the concept of a “yummy” room, where a harmonious blend of lighting, acoustics, materiality, layout, visual impact, and a sense of discovery compels diners to return. The restaurant was recognized as a 2022 Best of Year Winner for Fine Dining. The 11,000-square-foot space is divided into a street-level bistro and a subterranean main dining room. Jean Nouvel’s architectural design, characterized by angular beams, allows for expansive column-free areas and intimate dining zones. Given its proximity to a world-renowned contemporary art museum, ICrave approached the project not as traditional interior design but as a sculptural or painterly endeavor. This artistic philosophy is evident in the restaurant's most prominent feature: three dozen giant curving fins that span the entire width of the space. These fins emerge from the street-level ceiling, cascade down in front of the bistro, sweep underneath, and wrap around the ceiling of the main dining room. Each fin is edged with a bright stripe, featuring nine neon-like colors derived from the Nine-Dragon Wall reliefs found in Chinese imperial palaces. These hues also subtly reference the diverse Asian cultures represented in the menu and the modern art displayed at MoMA. The restaurant plans to host a rotating selection of fine art in collaboration with the Friedrich Petzel Gallery. The fin installation, glossy black on one side and sepia-toned on the other, creates a lenticular effect as guests move through the restaurant or view it from the sidewalk. Ohayon describes the installation as both a loom and a veil, with its vibrant colors attracting attention from passersby and directing their gaze to the aerial arrangement of tables, banquettes, and chairs set on an ink-wash carpet, which features subtle smokey grays echoing Nouvel’s steel construction. Ohayon highlights the importance of creating a unique piece of the city's landscape, fostering memories for visitors and a sense of place for residents. The sculptural architectural gesture draws inspiration from the Chinese artistic principle of xieyi, emphasizing broad, expressive strokes and representing the chi or energy flow within 53. In contrast, the principle of gongbi, which focuses on realism and fine detail, guided the selection of decor elements. For example, the colors from the fin edges are subtly echoed in the precious stones used as chopstick rests. Lighting, a critical component of the "yummy" atmosphere, was developed in collaboration with Licht, ICrave's in-house studio. The main dining room features cove lighting, slender cylindrical pendant fixtures that adjust with ceiling height variations, and circular sconces softly illuminating the ecru suede-like walls. An ethereal cluster of small LEDs forms a twinkling cloud above the bar. All lighting elements emit 2,600 Kelvins, complemented by rechargeable Japanese table lights, creating a warm, cinematic glow. The material palette emphasizes honesty and natural finishes, including stone bar counters, white oak paneling, leather banquette upholstery, and wool rugs. The deliberate juxtaposition of warm and cool tones reinforces the duality of hard and soft, grand and humble, evident throughout the design. Lionel Ohayon personally led the design of this project, finding it a creatively cathartic and rewarding opportunity to shape New York City's landscape. He aimed for an expression that aligns with its location next to MoMA, showcasing exuberance with mature restraint, moving away from what he perceived as a "Brooklyn-ification" of Manhattan's design aesthetic. ICrave's extensive experience in hospitality design, spanning over 20 years, allowed them to create a restaurant interior that honors its cuisine without resorting to pastiche, understands its contextual importance, and is as delightful as the food it serves. #RestaurantDesign #InteriorDesign #MidtownManhattan #ICrave #FineDining #ArchitecturalSculpture #LightingDesign #AsianFusion #LuxuryHospitality

Oide Kitchen, a new bento shop, has recently opened in Downtown Honolulu's Arcade Building, taking over a space that previously housed various eateries. The establishment is a reincarnation of Okonomiyaki Chibo, a Japanese restaurant that operated in Waikīkī for three decades before closing due to rising rent. The owners have pivoted to a bento shop model, aiming to cater to the Downtown lunch crowd with familiar grab-and-go options and made-to-order dishes. The name "Oide" is an informal Japanese word meaning "come," reflecting the owners' welcoming approach. The menu at Oide Kitchen features a variety of bentos, salads, side dishes, and donburi bowls. Popular bento options include Chicken namban, garlic chicken, salmon, and garlic shrimp, all priced between $14 and $15. A tofu vegetable bento is available for $13.75, and the Oide salad costs $12. Each bento includes a substantial portion of rice, two vegetable sides, and pickles, offering a complete meal. For those seeking a made-to-order option, the loco moco don, priced at $16, features a thick hamburger patty and egg served with a demi-glace gravy over rice. Customers can also choose from additional side dishes to complement their meals. Examples include potato salad for $5 and dashimaki tamago, a rolled omelet, for $7. The garlic chicken bento, highlighted in the article, consists of grilled chicken served with a shoyu sauce, noted for its strong garlic flavor. The generous portions and flavorful dishes have been well-received, particularly the well-cooked rice. The Arcade Building has historically hosted various culinary establishments, including the Silk Road Café, which offered Uzbek cuisine. Oide Kitchen now brings a different culinary experience to the location, focusing on Japanese-inspired bentos. The owners' transition from a full-service restaurant to a bento shop signifies an adaptation to market demands and the specific needs of the Downtown workforce, offering convenient and satisfying lunch options. The positive reception from early customers, including the author and their coworkers, suggests that Oide Kitchen is establishing itself as a viable option for local diners. #OideKitchen #BentoShop #DowntownHonolulu #JapaneseCuisine #GrabAndGo #LocalEats #HonoluluDining #ArcadeBuilding

Marni's architectural team has recently inaugurated a new store in Venice, situated in Piazza San Marco. This new boutique is strategically located between the colonnades of Piazza San Marco, featuring large windows beneath grating lunettes. The design of the store is a deliberate fusion of Marni's artistic vision and Venice's rich cultural heritage, ensuring a respectful integration of both elements. The interior design elements are meticulously chosen to reflect Venetian architectural codes, creating a cohesive and immersive experience for visitors. The boutique's interior boasts Venetian stucco walls, a Calacatta marble mosaic floor, and delicate ivory finishes, all contributing to an atmosphere of refined elegance. A central feature of the store is a large spiral staircase, which commands attention by wrapping itself in golden stripes, creating a voluminous silhouette that illuminates the otherwise neutral-colored room. The ceiling incorporates bronze details and tones reminiscent of the exterior, further brightening the space and connecting the interior with its surroundings. The display of Marni's collections, including both men's and women's designs by Francesco Risso, follows a minimalist approach, emphasizing precision and care. Items are presented on a glass case set on silver tiles and a shelf crafted from Venetian stucco. A dedicated footwear area is positioned in front of a window that offers a direct view of the Basilica of San Marco. This placement allows the natural light of the Venetian sunset to illuminate the area each evening, enhancing the display and creating a captivating ambiance. Every aspect of the new Marni boutique, from the materials used to the strategic placement of design elements, is designed to celebrate the intrinsic link between the brand and the cultural essence of Venice. The store aims to be more than just a retail space; it is a testament to the brand's commitment to artistic expression and its profound appreciation for the city's unique aesthetic. #MarniBoutique #Venice #PiazzaSanMarco #InteriorDesign #VenetianStucco #CalacattaMarble #FashionRetail #ArchitecturalDesign #CulturalHeritage

Joanna Grawunder and Mark Jensen, an architect couple, transformed a dilapidated Depression-era summer cabin on the Russian River near Healdsburg's Fitch Mountain into a modern, multilevel retreat. Initially repulsed by the property's condition in 2012, Grawunder was convinced by Jensen, who had childhood memories of the Russian River, to explore its potential. Despite the abandoned house being in a state of disrepair with numerous issues, including septic problems and termites, the couple was captivated by the "gobsmacking" river views, recognizing the prime location. Their professional expertise as architects instilled confidence that they could overcome the structural challenges. Undeterred by a long list of county violations that had scared away previous prospective buyers, Jensen understood the site's unique value. Building a new house so close to the river was prohibited, but they found that they could rebuild on the existing foundation and footprint of the old cabin. The permitting process alone took two years, followed by another two years for construction. Eight years ago, they finally moved into their completed home. The resulting house is a modest, multilevel structure with board-and-batten siding and a concrete base, designed to evoke a farm building and blend with the rural landscape. Its simplicity contributes to its comfort. The location is highly desirable, being a mere two-mile walk from Healdsburg Plaza, allowing them to integrate into a community with friends who often share fresh produce. The pandemic prompted them to move from San Francisco to live in the Healdsburg home full-time, falling in love with the lifestyle, though Jensen maintains a small loft in the city for workdays. While most of the original structure was replaced, the couple preserved the steep, concrete steps leading to the old dock. A significant discovery during renovation was the unearthing of 20th-century Boho art embedded in the terraced walls leading to the river. These decorative elements, including abalone shells, mirror and tile fragments, glass bottles, and candle niches, were initially buried under sand and silt. This annual task of digging out the terraces, which they playfully call "shovel camp," has become a cherished spring ritual. The interior of the 1,100-square-foot house is open and simple, featuring a winding staircase to a bedroom loft. From this elevated position, Grawunder enjoys unique views of local wildlife, such as great blue herons, bald eagles, and ospreys. The casual furnishings are largely indoor-outdoor, allowing for flexible entertaining, and a wide deck with a retractable awning expands the living space. The compact kitchen is efficient for cooking, even when hosting frequent guests who often arrive by kayak or canoe. Despite the overall simplicity, the house incorporates elements that reflect the couple's appreciation for modern art and design. A dining table from the famed Italian design collective Superstudio, where Grawunder once studied, serves as a focal point. Grawunder, who also has a background in artistic design, including limited edition furnishings and lighting, has incorporated one of her acrylic mirror light pieces into the living space, resembling a window. The couple enjoys observing the changing seasons from their home. While winters offer cozy views of the rushing river from an alcove, summers are for leisurely entertaining, often starting with drinks at the dock and moving to the covered deck for dinner. A unique "Italian grandmother elevator"—a rope with a basket—is used to transport food, like pasta and pizza, to guests below. The Russian River fosters a sense of casual camaraderie, with neighbors often paddling by and impromptu gatherings occurring, sometimes involving Negronis delivered by paddle. #HealdsburgHome #RussianRiver #Architecture #HomeDesign #Renovation #SonomaCounty #WaterfrontLiving #ModernHome #ArchitecturalDesign