A New York inspired bistro with a twist

24th August 2009, 3:47pm

A new venture connecting Canary Wharf to New York through its 'American fare and vibrant design' is launching next month.

Bistro –Lower East will seat up to 50 people in the bistro with a mix of banquette and floor seating as well as high stools for up to 12 at a free standing semi-circular bar.

Liquor Bar – The curved bar sits at the heart of the bistro and seats up to eight at high stools as well as up to 40 at the surrounding low red banquettes and lounge tables. The Liquor bar will serve classic Manhattan cocktails throughout the day and late into the evening.

Terrace and Private Dining Room –This area offers views of the River Thames from its outside 40-seat terrace where trees naturally canopy the riverside area. Diners can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner on the terrace and in warmer weather a BBQ and outside bar serve cocktails and a selection of burgers.

The private dining room will offer dining space for up to 20 people at breakfast, lunch and dinner; alternatively the space can also be turned in to a casual reception room for small celebrations. Larger parties can also hire the entire venue exclusively for up to 180 people or select areas of the bar or terrace for smaller gatherings.

New York was the inspiration, says designer Gabriel Murray....

Lower East's bistro and bar incorporates hues of blue and grey tones punctuated with bold red leather banquette seating and dark hard wood tables, chairs, stools and bar. Several pop art/graphic style paintings hang over the bar and bistro walls.

Meanwhile hanging red metal lamps illuminate the bar area which is decorated with vibrant multicoloured vertical stripes running the entire length of the bar front. Menu specials will be handwritten on hanging mirrors around the bistro, in keeping with the design references from the New York style French brasseries.

Director of designers Studio 48 Gabriel Murray says he was inspired by his visits to New York: "I have been going to New York for about 15 years now and I love that buzz you get when you walk around the city. I see Canary Wharf with the same city, business like vibe. Using global influences from New York seemed right for what we wanted to do here."

Murray goes on to talk us through the design brief and what he describes as the key and unique features of the establishment: "The fact that this site was previously Jamie's Wine Bar was a real bonus for us. This meant we already had the bones of a working restaurant in place."

Most of our time was spent on designing new bar tops, seating, wooden flooring and booths," Murray adds.

He says the unique features of Lower East are the striped bar front, the large industrial lights which he describes as being "striking", and the full length mirror in the restaurant area.

The project took four weeks from start to finish and has a fit out cost of around £50,000.

Studio 48's previous projects:

Tini Knightsbridge
Interior design

Chilis Belfast
Interior design and architecture

Maggiano's Belfast
Interior design and architecture

Planet Organic London
Branding, interior design and graphic design

EATV London
Branding, interior design and graphic design

Details:
28 Westferry Circus
020 7536 2862
www.lowereast.co.uk