There is a trend in the contemporary design world that combines minimalism with warmth, often inspired by Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics and Nordic design. This style is called "Japandi". Japandi combines the concepts of "Japanese" and "Scandi", creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere while giving the space a classic and timeless beauty. The restaurant design of Prime Seafood Palace is a concrete manifestation of this concept, emphasizing the use of natural materials to create a warm and pleasant dining experience.
Warm-toned leather seats and wooden furniture create a soft feel
Combining Eastern and Western architectural aesthetics
Prime Seafood Palace is located in Toronto's Queen Street West neighbourhood, a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The restaurant was designed by Omar Gandhi Architects, a local Canadian architectural firm, who are known for their ability to combine contemporary architectural style with traditional rural elements. The restaurant's design was inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian architecture. The Scandinavian style originated in the 20th century and covers Nordic countries such as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, and is often referred to as "Nordic design". This style values simplicity, functionality, and comfort. In contrast, Japanese design focuses on creating a calm and harmonious atmosphere, emphasizing nature, simplicity and craftsmanship, and is deeply influenced by the philosophical concept of Japanese "Wabi Sabi" aesthetics.
The restaurant adopts open kitchen design
Omar Gandhi Architects cleverly incorporated the exquisite techniques of residential design into commercial space, creating a restaurant full of warm wood texture. Starting with the use of light and wood, the entire restaurant space uses local Canadian white maple and brass. Over time, they will produce a natural oxidation effect, enriching the sense of layering in the space, which also demonstrates the pursuit of durable design and the "imperfect" wabi-sabi aesthetic.
The restaurant also maintains a simple design
A journey through design details from entry to kitchen
The restaurant's main entrance is located in a quiet courtyard, allowing customers to escape from the hustle and bustle of Queen Street West and enter a quiet world. Upon entering the restaurant, customers are greeted by a two-story wooden lattice dome suspended above the roof. Inside the restaurant, there is a wooden "cloud" that covers the entire space, filtering natural light and bringing a soft halo to the interior, making the restaurant full of the Nordic-style "hygge " feeling. Vertical brass screens block activity from the street, providing a sense of privacy while retaining a subtle connection to the outside world. The restaurant also makes extensive use of natural elements, such as the wooden floor that extends from the main dining area to the open kitchen, allowing customers to closely admire the food being carefully prepared by the chef on the charcoal stove. The bar area of the restaurant adds a soft feel with its simple lines and rounded corners. The wooden bar counter is carefully matched with brass details on the wall. The warm-toned leather seats and wooden furniture complement each other, filling the space with a harmonious and warm feeling.
The restaurant's design also reflects founder Matty Matheson's deep affection for ingredients. He previously worked at Toronto's renowned French bistro Le Select, an experience that shaped his understanding of classic steakhouses. The restaurant uses cherry wood charcoal from local farms for cooking, and the meat comes from Matheson's own Blue Goose Farm in Ontario. This selection of materials not only reflects respect for nature, but also conforms to the concept of nature first emphasized in the space design. Every detail of the restaurant reflects the ultimate pursuit of customer experience. From custom-made chairs to handcrafted brass screens, every design element embodies the minimalist philosophy of “less is more”.
The charcoal stove further enhances the restaurant's warm atmosphere
A cantilevered canopy covers the bar and semi-private dining area, while carefully selected music adds to the sensory experience. The restaurant is also equipped with an advanced lighting control system that can automatically adjust the internal lighting according to changes in external light. The double-height barrier-free restroom is paved with textured Bianco Carrara bamboo-pattern tiles. The natural light introduced by the skylight makes the entire space brighter, demonstrating the restaurant's meticulous care for its customers.
