Nopalito
“HANDCRAFTED.” This was the word that exemplified it all. The food was to be made by hand, sourced locally, from sustainable and organic farms. The ingredients were simple, and slow cooked, “food of the grandmothers”, according to chef Laurence Jossel, “Love filled Mexican food”. We began our search for a palette of repurposed materials, and developed details that would highlight the human hand, and allow for graceful aging. We found wine-soaked oak strips, used in flavoring barrels….pierced tin pendant lights made from #10 tomato cans… acoustic panels from organic coffee bags. The space is a mere 1250 sf. With two-thirds of the space kitchen, the remaining space would need a strong design focus. The image of a candlelit glowing Mexican bar within a bigger space grabbed us, and the idea of creating a glowing stage where Nopalito chefs created delicious meals emerged.
“The indoor space is divided equally between an open kitchen and the dining area, which includes a kitchen counter where I like to sit for a solitary indulgent bite in the afternoon. The clean, modern design merges utility and imagination. Nopalito is a generous place. Each meal begins with a treat of spiced, deep fried chickpeas and ends with a sandy Mexican nut cookie called a polverone. They want you back — and once you’ve eaten there, they’ve got you. The taste memory will pull you right in.”
- Patricia Unterman, SF Examiner
Project Description
A glowing stage is the backdrop for regional Mexican food
“HANDCRAFTED.” This was the word that exemplified it all. The food was to be made by hand, sourced locally, from sustainable and organic farms. The ingredients were simple, and slow cooked, “food of the grandmothers”, according to chef Laurence Jossel, “Love filled Mexican food”. We began our search for a palette of repurposed materials, and developed details that would highlight the human hand, and allow for graceful aging. We found wine-soaked oak strips, used in flavoring barrels….pierced tin pendant lights made from #10 tomato cans… acoustic panels from organic coffee bags. The space is a mere 1250 sf. With two-thirds of the space kitchen, the remaining space would need a strong design focus. The image of a candlelit glowing Mexican bar within a bigger space grabbed us, and the idea of creating a glowing stage where Nopalito chefs created delicious meals emerged.
“The indoor space is divided equally between an open kitchen and the dining area, which includes a kitchen counter where I like to sit for a solitary indulgent bite in the afternoon. The clean, modern design merges utility and imagination. Nopalito is a generous place. Each meal begins with a treat of spiced, deep fried chickpeas and ends with a sandy Mexican nut cookie called a polverone. They want you back — and once you’ve eaten there, they’ve got you. The taste memory will pull you right in.”
- Patricia Unterman, SF Examiner