Eat is a small eatery carved out of the ground floor of a multifamily apartment building in the East Fremont district of Las Vegas. The space was dark and windowless, but had what chef thought at the time was a functioning kitchen. CSPA had latitude with regards to design but a very low budget to work with. Chef wanted a comfortable eatery where she could cook and engage the guests, ‘sort of like eating at my house,’ directed Chef Natalie Young.
The project began by removing all of the wood paneling, flooring and ceiling tiles. What was discovered was high quality cast in place concrete construction, which included formed brick patterns and a cylinder cast column. Design direction was obvious, let the existing elements be the driver and add life.
Wood paneling removed exposed gracious windows, which allowed light to flow in and for the space to borrow the landscape. The concrete floors were stripped polished and sealed. I long l-shaped banquet framed out the waiting area. A raw metal herb planter box was built directly inside the front door. Using the concrete cylinder as one of the supports CSPA had artist collaborator fabricate an l-shaped communal dining table in the center of the room. Budget already greatly taxed the health department determined that none of the kitchen equipment was usable. Tina and chef embarked on a campaign to find the perfect inexpensive second hand chairs. Which they did, covered in tacky black snake skin leatherette they found just enough bright orange Emeco Navy chairs to fit out the restaurant and one extra for Tina’s home office. Finally out of time and out of money there were still a hand full of light fixtures to be specified. Tina and Craig were able to fashion a hanging exposed fixture out of commercial parts with a sparkly sheik light bulb which cost the electrician around $6 each.
Since its opening EAT has rocked the culinary scene in Las Vegas. Both Chef and the restaurant are frequently at the top of lists and headlines.