The new restaurant, designed by Platner in partnership with DeeAnna Staats and Ralph Gentile Architects, evokes a feeling of nostalgia. It has been designed as uniquely contemporary with a European aptitude.
The design combines two former retail spaces into a light-filled interior with a centre bar, table and banquette seating, prep and cook line areas, and an outdoor dining patio.
Interiors of the restaurant feature a brasserie-like entry serving as its hub, open kitchen with French brass rotisserie, a soothing neutral colour palette inspired by natural materials, use of simple, organic materials throughout, and artistic elements designed to inspire soulful eating.
The restaurant’s ceiling features elegant smoky glass pendants and staggered infinity clusters by John Pomp. Platner’s custom designed seating features tufted banquettes and high-back dining chairs in wood and pale linen and custom leather upholstered bar stools. The restaurant’s butcher-block table tops, situated along the back wall and exterior patio, offer a subtle variation.
A white open truss ceiling system and high windows at the street and dividing wall to the exterior patio infiltrate the space with natural light, bringing an expansive feeling to the slightly small footprint. An ethereal wall finish achieved by a layered glazing process was used for added texture and movement to complement the hand-painted work by Los Angeles native street and sticker artist CRYPTIK which was inscribed with the ancient spiritual chant, “OM MANI PADME HUM.” There is also the inspiring ‘Word Pendants’ by Alison Berger etched with lines from Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks.
Expanding on Feed Body & Soul’s idea that eating well can be a daily indulgence, Platner & Co. selected several natural and sustainable materials in the restaurant’s design, revealing that “designing well” does not mean sacrificing on form.
In addition, the restaurant features custom-designed iron railings and gates, art deco-inspired millwork painted black for contrast and allure, urban custom stenciled floors, an 18-seat centre bar with Siberian Lynx, and semi-precious solid white Brazilian quartz counter.
Concrete and cathedral-cut French Oak floors were chosen considering the heavy traffic flow of a bustling new restaurant. The jewel box-like powder room offers a delightful surprise of Regency Calcata tile with a sleek polished marble vanity.
The interiors and custom furnishings of FEED Body & Soul have also been nominated for a Calibre design award. The restaurant opened on 4 February 2013.
