Bar Boulud

Catagory: Hospitality

Client: Chef Daniel Boulud, The Dinex Group
Project: Bar Boulud
Location: New York City, NY

In celebration of wine making and wine tasting, every gesture, form, and material in the design of Chef Daniel Boulud’s Bar Boulud relates to French wine, food and rural culture. Historic and rustic elements of the wine making process are interpreted in a contemporary way throughout the two story space. The main floor dining area takes the shape of a vaulted of a wine cellar. To create spacial complexity, one side of the vault has been cut away from the full length of the space, exposing a dramatic, backlit gravel wall in reference to the soil of the vineyard. The exclamation point to the main floor is a large, round tasting table styled after those of 19th century wine negociants. Custom chairs (based on those from rural farm houses) wrap the table bringing patrons shoulder-to-shoulder with the staff aiming to diminish the distinctions between server and guest; making for an extra open communal experience. All elements of the woodwork are made of solid white oak, the classic wood used for wine barrels. The floor throughout is rustic Burundian farmhouse limestone. Booths, created in the image of champagne bottle riddling racks, are updated with recessed nickel wine coolers reminiscent of those of the classic bistro. On the lower level, guests navigate a narrow cave, showcasing the restaurants extensive wine collection stored behind a contemporary realization of the classic steel wine rack. From the cave guests are welcomed to a cozy pre-function room with bar in addition to three private dining rooms: Vigneron, Caviste and Sommelier – each decorated with an array of related antiques showcased