Classic Primitive Timelessness
A renovation that encapsulates Southern Italy
Location
South Boston, MA
Completion Date
2021
Size
5,000 SF
Client
Chef Karen Akunowicz | James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: Northeast and Bravo TV’s Emmy Nominated Top Chef
Team
Eric Robinson
Kevin Deabler
Jessica Haley
Molly Randell
Awards
Description
RODE executed a front-of-house facelift at this restaurant renovation through ‘designing by subtraction’. Despite the contrasting design concepts of the former restaurant and client’s vision, we reused the existing polished concrete floor, banquettes, and wooden chairs in the new design, reducing renovation costs and minimizing waste.
The addition of Italian-inspired design elements created the allure of an Italian bistro.
RODE was tasked to transform an existing Southie dive bar into a classic, timeless, culinary destination. We, along with Chef Karen, decided the best way to do this was to peel back the layers and breathe some fresh, clean air into the interior. We used classic design elements like gold leaf lettering, warm leathers, neutral tiles, and reused the barn board in the space as a nod to the wood burning rotisserie.
