New York designer Billy Cotton has combined Art Deco, Futurist and Brutalist references in this Lower Manhattan restaurant.
For the first restaurant interior in his two-decade career, Cotton Bridges designed a homage to lively Parisian bistros while incorporating plenty of “New York character.”
“The space combines Art Deco history with a more innovative futuristic touch, creating an atmosphere with the old-school charm of so many classic Parisian and New York restaurants – but with a decidedly unforgettable New Age twist,” said the restaurant team.
Named for its location in Chinatown between the entrances to the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, the French-Basque restaurant is owned by chef Sam Lawrence and operator Nicolas Mouchel, under the creative direction of Josephine Stuart.
The glass block partitions surrounding the entrance area are influenced by the geometry of the nearby brutalist Chatham Towers building project by Japanese-American architect George Shimamoto.
A gap in the clear blockwork leads to the bar, which is made almost entirely of cherry wood and has rounded edges.
Opposite, a pair of niches made of the same type of wood with black leather cushions nestle against the textured concrete wall.
Another glass block partition marks the entrance to the 50-seat main dining area, where black leather upholstery is repeated on benches along the walls. Here, Gracie Studios' textured, minimalist wallpaper echoes the front's textured concrete.
Polished concrete floors throughout the space are lined with bright red tiles that complement the warm wood tones that contrast with the white tablecloths.
Bridges also includes a private dining room with seating for 10 to 14 people, with an additional 12 seats available in the bar area.
The 2,200-square-foot restaurant is lit by chrome light fixtures, some vintage and others from local studio Blue Green Works.
These “play against the overall design scheme of the space to create both a unique and cohesive dining experience,” according to the team.
Other relative newcomers to New York's culinary scene include San Sabino in the West Village and Cecchis in Chelsea.
We recently published a roundup of nine design-focused restaurants in the city, including Italian-influenced Cucina Alba, Korean eatery Oiji Mi and fried chicken specialist Coqodaq.
The photography of Adrianna Glaviano.