Happy 4th of July

The fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  I have the best family memories from this day.  This year it will be very different for me as this will be the first time I am away from home.  This will also be the first year without my amazing Grandpa.  Today reminds me so much of him and the pride and honor he felt for our country.  Pop I miss you everyday and will be thinking of you.

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Whenever I see the American Flag I think of my Pop and smile.  Here are some fun inspiring photos for the 4th of July and a couple DIY projects from some awesome blogs!  

Fun Luminaries

Fun Easy Wreath

Ferry ride to Catalina

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Last but absolutely not least, my favorite picture of my Grandpa on 4th of July in 2006. I love you and will be celebrating thinking of you!

Food. And Design of Course.

A new little restaurant opened up down the road from my house.  Coronado has small little quaint places to eat and only a few kid friendly ones.  I am guessing that is what inspired the decision to open this little gem!  It is a hotdog restaurant! What kid doesn’t love hotdogs! What made me most excited when looking at the menu is that they also MAKE their own corndogs in fresh batter!! Ok so onto the design part. Can you tell that food is my other obsession?

Did I mention they also have sweet potato tots?!

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Besides the amazing food the design of the space is perfect.  The light colors they chose really brighten up the space.  They took out the front wall where the door is and put in a huge sliding door that is a full window.  The attention to the seating arrangement has changed the space from the restaurant it was before.  They lined the west wall with a counter to accommodate more guests and included booth and chair seating on the opposite side.  Narrow spaces are hard to design allowing for good traffic flow.  The placement of the ordering counter and the condiment station allows guests to enter and leave easily without much interruption. 

Love the colors on the wall

I'm obsessed with the industrial style of the chairs

The design of a restaurant can really make or break it for me.  If customers are not comfortable eating in the space the food really does not stand a chance.  It is a whole experience that they come for.  Service, atmosphere and taste!  Like some chefs say about food presentation, the customer is eating it when they see it, well before it enters the mouth.  I feel the same way with the experience of the restaurant.  Once I enter, either it excites me or makes me want to run screaming for the door.  Don’t get me wrong, I love dive hole in the wall restaurants with killer food, but those places I know what I am getting when I get there.

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The prior restaurant was dark and hard to navigate.  It was difficult to order and get seated without having to excuse yourself for being in everyone’s way. The new design with a fun menu has really changed this space.  Well done DeLish, well done!