Per Person Check Average of Less Than $75
First Place: International Smoke, San Diego
Specifying Team
- Operator: Michael Mina, president, founder and chef for The Mina Group, which owns International Smoke; Jason Rocheleau, vice president of operations
- Dealer: Melissa Miller, director of tabletop sales, TriMark Distribution West; John Skaggs, field sales rep, TriMark Distribution West
Items
- China: Lodge, Staub, Steelite, Premier Collections by TriMark
- Flatware: Cardinal
- Glassware: Cardinal, Duralex, Fortessa, Hospitality Glass, Libbey, Nachtmann, Stozle
- Accessories: Arcata by TriMark, Brown Halco, Chef Specialties, Churchill, Chef Specialties, Frieling, Weck
Why it Won
The combination of different textures adds visual intrigue to this tabletop. The amber glassware really evokes visions of smoke at the table, connecting the installation to the menu in a creative manner. This installation uses nontraditional items to serve cocktails, showcasing additional creativity.
Honorable Mention: Blue Elephant, Pottstown, Pa.
Specifying Team
- Operator: Pearl Somboonsong, director of operations; Win and Sutida Somboonsong, owners
- Dealer: Sally Harris, sales representative, Singer Equipment Co.; Cara Walter, district manager, Singer Equipment Co.
- Manufacturers’ Reps: Sarah Bulmer, business development, LMT; Jim Hahn, president, Hahn Associates; Steve Kravitz, president, Steve Kravitz Co.; Chris Murphy, sales manager, Mid-Atlantic Hospitality; Lesley Widergren, FTS Design Group
Items
- China: Figgjo, RAK, Rosenthal, Steelite
- Flatware: Amefa
- Glassware: Cardinal, Hospitality Glass, Libbey, Steelite
- Accessories: FOH
Worth Mentioning
This tabletop installation stays true to the aesthetics and the East Indian, British colonial theme of this restaurant. It’s a nice, simple and clean tabletop that resists the temptation of getting too ornate. The gold touches add some visual intrigue. The color combinations, including the deep blues paired with gold chopsticks and silverware, gave this tabletop a theatrical element.
Photos courtesy of Brenda Frezeman, Singer Equipment Co.
Honorable Mention: Blue Iguana, Waterloo, Iowa
Specifying Team
- Operator: Clint Goodman, chef
- Dealer: Pat Grady, sales representative, Edward Don & Company; Rob Utterback, district sales manager, Edward Don & Company; Stella Lorens, corporate photographer, Edward Don & Company
- Manufacturers’ Reps: Kerry O’Connor, tabletop specialist, The Hode Group; Laurel Galiger, sales associate, Mirkovich and Associates
Items
- China: Steelite
- Flatware: Walco
- Glassware: Libbey, Steelite
- Accessories: American Metalcraft
Worth Mentioning
This installation features a very modern aesthetic that’s also very cohesive. The tabletop really reflects the room, helping to convey the Mexican ambience that’s central to the restaurant’s brand. And the tabletop accomplishes all of this in a very contemporary setting. It’s a stunning, industrial modern space and the tabletop connects to it well.