Workshop Kitchen + Bar by SOMA - Best Designed Restaurant in the Americas

When it comes to dining out, it's no question that the architecture and interior design matter just as much as the food you're eating. As a fun Friday project, we're featuring the Workshop Kitchen + Bar by SOMA in Palm Springs, CA. The project recently won Best Designed Restaurant for the Americas region in the international 2013 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards we covered back in September.

Perhaps the photos below can serve as a little weekend inspiration.

Some information we've received from Workshop Kitchen + Bar:

"With a food program crafted by Chef-Owner Michael Beckman, who studied at the Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon, France and formerly of The Ritz Carlton in Berlin, Lameloise (a 3 Michelin Star restaurant in Burgundy) and most recently as a Private Resident Chef in Beverly Hills, the design of Workshop starts with the food. Best described as Americana with many outlying influences, Chef Beckman has created a market-driven menu comprised of seasonal food highlights harvested from local farms. 'Our approach to everything at Workshop Kitchen + Bar from the interior design to the food and cocktail program is based on a playful creativity' says Beckman. 'I feel like Palm Springs is ready for a dining destination that offers a well-constructed food and beverage experience in a fun setting. There really isn’t anything like this in town.'"

"The design of Workshop Kitchen + Bar, executed flawlessly by design firm SOMA Architects, has followed its own recipe which reflects that of the neighborhood where culture, trends, preferences and art come together. Located in the El Paseo Building (originally built in 1926), the space features 27’ high cathedral ceiling trusses and exudes an Industrial Chic feel featuring architectural concrete, black steel, monolithic forms and earthy modern tableware from Heath Ceramics. The design of the restaurant carefully balances vintage with modern from the eclectic antique stemware at the bar to the modern and sleek light fixtures designed by Beirut-based PS Lab (Workshop being their first U.S. project). Guests will have an array of dining experiences at Workshop from intimate dining for small parties in the dramatic concrete banquets to al fresco dining in the courtyard as well as a sleek bar and even a private dining room for up to 16 guests."

"The design of Workshop celebrates the style of its Palm Springs neighborhood and the history of the space, which at one time was the home of posh grocer Jurgensens from the 40's to the early 80's. Soon, the space will again focus on offering guests fresh foods in a sharply designed space. The Restaurant and Bar Design Award, given to Workshop Kitchen + Bar this year, is described as 'Totally independent, the UK and International Restaurant & Bar Design Awards now in its sixth year receives entries from the UK and world's top architects, designers and hospitality operators. Judges consist of the most influential personalities and have included the editors of Wallpaper and Frame magazines, Karim Rashid and Alberto Alessi.'"

"Workshop Kitchen + Bar is the vision of two dynamic friends and fellow culinary classmates Michael Beckman and Joseph Mourani. While Beckman was building his culinary resume, Mourani was building successful restaurants in Beirut. When Beckman wanted to open a Palm Springs location, he turned to his old friend Mourani. 'I’ve always appreciated Michael’s skills and talents in the kitchen and he’s always respected my sense of design, concepts and business. We are natural friends and business partners and look forward to making Workshop a huge success. This isn’t just the start of a restaurant, it’s the start to a restaurant group.' says Mourani. 'At Workshop Kitchen + Bar, dining well is simply a matter of taste.'"

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Images courtesy of Workshop Kitchen + Bar.