TEN

Restaurant Reno . Toronto, ON

Home of the award-winning Ten Restaurant led by talented head chef Julian Bentavegna, this renovation focuses around the concept of an intimate and personal chef’s table for 10 patrons. Customers are welcomed into a bright airy lounge at the front of the space where they can grab a drink before service. When ready, customers are led through a large wooden millwork piece that transitions the experience from bright and airy to a cozy, dark intimate space. Highlighting the ‘theatre’ aspect of a chef’s table, a black box is created by using lower ceiling heights and dark materials surrounding the bright ‘stage’. Another feature of this renovation is the integration of a wheelchair accessible space. These spaces are difficult to find in Toronto and a conscious effort was made to incorporate accessible design features, such as the ramp and chef’s table, not as simple add-ons, but as integrated features to the design as a whole.

*A wood aperture in the lounge frames the dining space beyond. The wheelchair accessible ramp transitions all patrons from the lounge area to the dining area.*

*The tile mosaic is inspired by wallpaper found in the restaurant during construction. The mosaic was designed by LL Architects and hand-made by Chef Julian Bentivegna & friends.*

*The ten person dining bar sets the stage for the ten-course dining experience.*

*The dining area looking towards the lounge through the wood aperture.*

*Leftover broken tile from the mosaics was incorporated as aggregate into the custom designed concrete lounge tables.*

*Axonometric drawing of the restaurant’s conceptual components.*

Photos by: Rémi Carreiro Photography

*Variation in the seating heights allows for maximized views to the bar area where Chef Julian Bentivegna prepares food.*

Photos of the existing building before the renovation.