Located in Washington, D.C., this New Orleans-inspired eatery exudes the essence, grit, and magic of The Big Easy, infused with the spirit of The Capital City. Elegant yet approachable, the restaurant features an al fresco dining and bar space, outfitted by GrizForm Design Architects, with timeless materials to create a sense of Bourbon Street nostalgia.
Alluding to the storied layers of New Orlean’s design and architecture, the city’s French and Spanish roots drive the restaurant’s interior envelope. The design team favored classic elements: custom oak parquet flooring and walnut millwork, mosaics, marble, tile, and hand-cast wrought iron, along with New Orleans-inspired artwork. Diligent historical research ensured diners would receive an authentic, meaningful, and unique experience filtered through a contemporary D.C. lens.
Originally seen as a design challenge, Dauphine’s multiple levels ultimately aided in the creation of the restaurant’s unique microclimates. Coming in, there was only an outer shell, composed of floor-to-ceiling windows, with separate entrances on each floor. While stained-glass windows are a New Orleans staple, a dining room wrapped in cool glass is not. Layering patterns, textures, and colors amongst botanicals and creative lighting fixtures was crucial for bringing life, warmth, and intimacy inward. Instead of designing with a utilitarian approach, each floor—the bar, mezzanine, dining rooms, even the back of house space—speaks for itself, enhancing the immersive experience.
Through the entrance, an open dining room with pendant-lit tables is revealed; a few equipped with banquettes to accommodate larger parties. Warm wood tones and soft whites define the color palette, and are blended with metal, leather, and biophilic elements to create a visually-grounded aesthetic. From the dining room, guests have a full view of the active kitchen.
Deeper inside is the highly-detailed back bar, complete with vintage glassware and wood cabinetry. Key features include warm glow lighting details on the bar front, a detailed metal screen, and a marble bartop. The eatery’s custom raw bar and wood charcuterie case, inspired by 1950s furniture and kitchen equipment, are found at the end of the main bar. Past the kitchen, a staircase leads to the restaurant’s private dining room on the mezzanine level. This space represents a darker, richer side of New Orleans. Its walls are painted in black, gold, and embossed crocodile skins.
The outdoor space features wrought iron, laser-cut, traditional metal panels. Contemporary beam framework creates the outdoor bar’s structure, and a tile-clad fountain helps create a peaceful and serene moment at its end. Additionally, the French Pavilion-style structure spanning over the centered, two-level bar is another standout element nodding to the proverbial town square.