Restaurant Visits
Having looked at many design precedents online, in book and magazines it was felt that going to see some restaurant spaces would aid the project and get an idea of the space used for each element such as what size gap is feasible between tables and the idea of the disabled people might move around these spaces. I was able to visit several restaurant by ringing them and arranging to go into the restaurant when it was not busy so not to upset people whom might be paying customers. By doing this I was able to get a real feel for the space and the interior architecture at the same time. When selecting restaurants to go and visit it was important to get a variety of small and large spaces and well as a combination of chain and individual restaurants. Below are images and text about each visit I undertook.
Jamie's Italian, The Bullring Birmingham
I guess its in the name but the first visit was to Jamie's Italian the restaurant chain made famous by its creator chef - Jamie Oliver. The Jamie's Italian brand began in 2008 and now has more than 30 restaurants across the country. Looking into the background story behind the restaurants the plan to open was created by Jamie Oliver himself alongside his friend and cheff - Gennaro Contaldo. Research describes how Jamie wanted to create a restaurant within the UK that was able to reflect the "passionate, humble and sociable attitude of Italians towards food".
Jamies Italian in Birmingham has been open for two years now as apart of the Bullring development. The restaurant was large high space that contains an large bar and waiting area, open front kitchen, a delicatessen, three restaurant spaces as well as a host of products on sale around the space. The whole restaurant has a modern european feel about the space using elements such as frosted plastic in areas to act as screen to divide areas from view but movement and light could still be seen. I wanted to visit Jamie's as the way in which products are incorporated into the design works well using the wall and all available space. The style of seating was also interesting with a combination of benches, booths and tables worked well and this is an aspect to consider.
Jamies Italian in Birmingham has been open for two years now as apart of the Bullring development. The restaurant was large high space that contains an large bar and waiting area, open front kitchen, a delicatessen, three restaurant spaces as well as a host of products on sale around the space. The whole restaurant has a modern european feel about the space using elements such as frosted plastic in areas to act as screen to divide areas from view but movement and light could still be seen. I wanted to visit Jamie's as the way in which products are incorporated into the design works well using the wall and all available space. The style of seating was also interesting with a combination of benches, booths and tables worked well and this is an aspect to consider.
Restaurant 23, Leamington Spa
Restaurant 23 is a privately owned restaurant in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. Housed in a grade II listed building like the building on Short Hill in Nottingham that I am using for my project it has been converted into a restaurant and bar offering a fine dining experience. The staff at the restaurant were more than happy to help me and allowed me to spend time in the building photographing how they have organised the space. I did ask to go into the kitchen but due to the time they were busy preparing for lunch so therefore this wasn't possible but I feel that I got a good idea about the space from viewing the restaurant and bar. The restaurant has occupied this Victorian Grade II building since 2012 and has the aim to serve locally sourced food in a unique environment.
Entering from the street the property can be entered through the main front door or a side ramp for those requiring disabled access. There are three different restaurant spaces - a private dining room, a small restaurant space with around 8 tables and then a larger space which can be found the other side of the bar which divides the two spaces. There is then a large upstairs bar area for people to wait in and enjoy a pre or after dinner drink. The bar can be accessed via a stair case which leads to upstairs. I wanted to look at this restaurant due to the size of the space. They have created a beautiful interior space which uses the external light from the large windows and create a space which matches the products they are serving. I want to be able to create small and intimate dinning spaces within the design scheme I am developing to give people the comfort they want when eating out to allow for each experience to be unique to each person. Visiting the space also gave a feel for the spacing required for each table. Here they have been able to get the required number of covers in the space without creating a tight space. Hopefully I will be able to visit Restaurant 23 as a guest one day!
Entering from the street the property can be entered through the main front door or a side ramp for those requiring disabled access. There are three different restaurant spaces - a private dining room, a small restaurant space with around 8 tables and then a larger space which can be found the other side of the bar which divides the two spaces. There is then a large upstairs bar area for people to wait in and enjoy a pre or after dinner drink. The bar can be accessed via a stair case which leads to upstairs. I wanted to look at this restaurant due to the size of the space. They have created a beautiful interior space which uses the external light from the large windows and create a space which matches the products they are serving. I want to be able to create small and intimate dinning spaces within the design scheme I am developing to give people the comfort they want when eating out to allow for each experience to be unique to each person. Visiting the space also gave a feel for the spacing required for each table. Here they have been able to get the required number of covers in the space without creating a tight space. Hopefully I will be able to visit Restaurant 23 as a guest one day!