Our studio was really excited to explore the concept of bringing an elevated but minimal Japanese fusion restaurant into the charming sleepy beach community of Hermosa Beach California.
RYLA is our take on a modern Japanese restaurant with design cues that are borrowed from classic mid-century and architecture of Southern California, minimalist Japanese woodworking and that laid back beach lifestyle.
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RYLA
Restaurant Interior Built
Firm
Bells + Whistles
Architect/Designer
Bells + Whistles
Design Team
Barbara Rourke, Jason St John, Jasmine Glover, Jazmin Manriquez
Location
Hermosa Beach, California, USA
Country
United States
Photographer/Copyright
©Madeline Tolle
The guests walk through the beach side alfresco style dining patio, dotted with European style bistro tables, cafe chairs and stylized concrete benches draped with hanging plants and succulents.
A minimalist walnut origami shaped reception counter is framed by a floor to ceiling concrete wall screen that conceals the bar seating beyond. The custom concrete, breeze block wall screen and architectural soffits help to ground the space.
A long bar made of American walnut with comfortable dining stools, provides the guests with a casual but elevated dining option. Above the bar is a suspended wood slat shelving holding an extensive Japanese whiskey collection.
The dining room is tucked behind floor to ceiling walnut case pieces that hold pottery, art objects and glassware. A long banquet stretching the west to east with 2 tops make up the majority of seating options. Along the south wall are 4 intimate banquets allowing for larger groups.
The private dining room is wrapped in a chinoiserie wallpaper and operable shoji screen doors, surround banquet seating and plenty of large party accommodations.
A palette of walnut, warm gray venetian plasters, pops of salmon and teal, the color palette is reflective of the local surroundings and Chef Ray’s Japanese heritage cooking.