This project consists of a restaurant renovation to an existing retail space as a new addition to the Restaurant Collection Under the Dome on the 4th Floor Westfield San Francisco Center. The restaurant is adjacent to the Market Street side escalators, Nordstrom entry, and open to the dome. With nearly 5,000 square feet, the space seats 125 guests.
The concept for Tap415 is a modern, urban eatery focused on sourcing local goods to create a unique menu of handcrafted American favorites - including freshly baked breads, fine burgers, artisanal sandwiches and 20 taps with local, craft beer, wine and cocktails. The element of craft is carried through in the materiality and architecture of the space. Raw, exposed materials such as the rough sawn floor, patina brass bar top, maple butcher block tables and hot rolled steel and are combined with custom light fixtures, perforated steel paneling over golden gate red painted columns, custom hood graphics and glowing liquor display shelving. The juxtaposition aims to blend the craft and refinement indicative of the execution of the food and beverage being served in a relaxed dining experience.
The design creates an inviting environment which is played up with the openness of the restaurant façade to the historic dome of the retail center, while setting itself apart by sitting on a raised deck, 8” above the mall floor, almost like a stage from which to watch the action pass by. From the entry, guests are welcomed with Tap415 branded signage and logo projected on the floor. Views to the bar and open kitchen are the backdrop for rows of communal tables andlinear exposed bulb light fixtures in the open dining area. The seating is arranged to easily accommodate both small and large parties concurrently. Metal louvered screens in the storefront create opportunities to place TVs which encompass the dining area.
Additional counter seating begins at the bar and wraps around the room, continuing as a drink ledge which faces out into the dome. Bar seating is highlighted with a view of the custom tap box pouring 20 beers and wines. Rows of glowing liquor shelves display that there is not just an emphasis on tap beer and wine, but a full bar, the highlight being craft cocktails and “adult” milkshakes. The counter continues into the open kitchen as a server pick-up counter, and is all that separates the guests from the action and cooking. The kitchen is highlighted by a custom area code graphic placed over entire hood. In the rear of the restaurant is the “game room”, an intimate area flanked with banquettes on either side of the room with large TVs on the walls.
The kitchen and bar have considerable back of house support for extensive menu offerings, including in house bread baking, ice cream making and beverage storage. The environment is casual, convivial, and fun. A place to meet up after work to hang out with friends, catch a game, or for a more intimate date night experience for relaxed lunches, after dinner drinks, quick bites before a movie, or full dinners.
With an extensive beer and wine list, fresh cocktail menu, and crafted American cuisine in a relaxed yet sophisticated environment, it is sure to become the new destination in San Francisco and at the Westfield San Francisco Center.
