Beginner's Diner
2023
San Diego, CA
Role
Interior Design
Scope
Diner at The LaFayette Hotel and Swim Club
Partners
Owner: Consortium Holdings
Architects: Tucker Sadler
Contractor: CLTVT
Beginners Diner has an authentic drawing that feels as if it has always been there with the hotel built around the concept. The interiors act as an installation of a traditional diner from the 1940s, and details down to the placemats, flatware, and fountain drinks transport guests into this historic era with a diner historian consulted on the details. The restaurant’s chrome storefront and bold neon signage stand out in sharp contrast to its environs, becoming a beacon that signals visitors to explore what is beyond. The concept is a tribute to the Americana hero dishes that helped democratize restaurants mid-century with a nod to traditional Greek and Jewish food influences.