Jacksonville, Florida Visit- Construction Progress on Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails

Kerry Wittwer was back down in Jacksonville, Florida for another ai3 site visit for Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails.  Another rainy day, just like here, but a few good shots of how things are coming together:

(Still on track for opening the restaurant in November. ) 

West Elevation- Bar and upper patio

Window at back bar, overlooking the lake

Indoor Bar area

Feature Stair - wine display will be featured beneath

Private Dining Room

Upstairs Patio overlooking lake

2nd floor view down stair opening; Outdoor Patio beyond

Exposed steel structure holding up the Moxie "feature wall"

2nd Floor View from the Dining Area

ai3 & Chef Tom Gray- "Efficiency Blunders: Five Top Mistakes in Restaurant Design"

This month's Restaurant development + design magazine interviews ai3's Dan Maas and Chef Tom Gray of Moxie Kitchen + Cocktails (coming in October 2013 Tampa, Florida). 

"Efficiency Blunders: Five Top Mistakes in Restaurant Design"
Open the lines of communication between experts.
Go with the flow- of service.
Design in real space.
Don't underestimate storage.
Don't let aesthetics trump efficiency.

Flip to pages 22 and 23 on the link below:
http://e-ditionsbyfry.com/Olive/ODE/RestaurantDesign+Development/Default.aspx

ai3 to design for culinary and celebrity favorites in 2013-2014

Atlanta's expanse of acclaimed restaurants and entertainment venues is exploding, with several additions scheduled for opening in the next six to 12 months. ai3 has been selected to design many of the most anticipated additions including:

Chicken-n-Beer: Scheduled to open in Hartsfield Jackson International Airport, Concourse D later this year, Chicken-n-Beer is entrepreneurial artist Ludacris's newest and highly anticipated venture. More details on the design and opening date coming soon.

Common Quarter: 
As the third collaboration between ai3 and the team behind Muss & Turner's, Eleanor's and Local Three, Common Quarter will open in Marietta in the Woodlawn Square shopping center off Johnson Ferry Road in summer 2013. The design incorporates the personality and stories of partner Chris Talley, with a focus on the coastal South and the back roads he often drove to get there.
See more on ai3's website:   http://ai3online.com/results_common-quarter.html

The Pig & The Pearl: 
The culinary superstar team of Chef Todd Richards, Cindy Shera and Todd Martin will open The Pig & The PEarl in the former Geisha House space in Atlantic Station. As an authentic smokehouse and raw bar with an approachable, social atmosphere, the restaurant will feature an inverted patio, views into the kitchen, and an active bar/lounge scene. The design will be rooted in an industrial, rustic aesthetic playing the light airiness of the coast against the charred woods of smokehouses and including a 40-foot long ceiling-hung cage filled with oyster shells.
See more on ai3's website: http://ai3online.com/results_pig-and-pearl.html

Stem Wine Bar: 
Chef Doug Turbush is expanding on the success of Seed Kitchen & Bar with Stem Wine Bar. Located adjacent to Seed, Stem will feature a European-inspired seasonal small plates menu emphasizing creative food and wine pairings. Sommelier Jason Raymond will teach wine classes and lead the wine program offering over 40 boutique wines by the glass from around the globe. The design provides a warm and cozy bar with a much darker finish palette than the neighboring Seed. Colors are inspired by the deep, rich tones of red wine. 


Castellucci Hopspitality Group:  
Following its collaboration with CHG on the Cafe at Double Zero, ai3 will design the team's newest restaurant located at the corner of Howell Mill and 14th Street in West Midtown. THe yet-to-be-names concept will bring something unique to the Atlanta dining scene that embodies the brand established by CHG. The design will be influenced by the food and culture of the Basque country and will include a Pintxo Bar- but with a fresh, modern perspective.

Atlanta's Newest Entertainment Venue:  
Although details are still under wraps, ai3 continues to extend its foray into entertainment venue design. Backed by several of Atlanta's favorite musicians, the new dining and performance space promises to transport guests to a play-land paradise. Expect more details on the who and where some time this fall.

ai3 selected for renovation of Taco Mac Sports Grill in Decatur, GA

Atlanta-based TM Restaurant Group announced that the Taco Mac Sports Grill in Decatur, Georgia will undergo an extensive renovation project beginning today, August 1st.

The restaurant is planned to reopen in October with a fresh and exciting look. The interior design renovation features a new street-front patio along Ponce de Leon Avenue; an all-new and expanded bar area featuring 100 draft beer taps; new, more comfortable seating and upgraded LED HDTVs throughout the restaurant and bar. 

Taco Mac selected ai3 to envision and implement the renovation of the Decatur restaurant.