Located in downtown Seattle, the Fonte Coffee Roaster and Wine Bar is Fonte’s flagship café and retail store. The space presented a number of initial design challenges with its low ceilings, exposed piping, limited natural light and finish floor sunk below street level. The space was organized into distinct dining and kitchen/service areas. The dining spaces are marked by a series of rough sawn cedar soffits that house lighting, hide utilities and float over the banquettes and tables. The wood soffits are intersected by curvy steel columns that direct the customer from the entrance to a brightly lit bar. The illuminated counter bar and glowing glass backsplash showcase the café’s menu, coffee and extensive wine collection. The bar fronts a commercial kitchen.
