When the owners of a local Oriental Restaurant decided they wanted to create a new concept, we got busy with the builder, Constable Construction, figuring out the right solution. This project is taking shape and finishes are now being installed. The open dining area will be inviting and the drive-thru will be heavily used as the food, we already know, will be incredible! The Oriental Express and Catering Company will soon be a household name in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
We have experience with multiple types of restaurants and knew what questions to ask to figure out how this one would function. Creating an efficient kitchen is a key to making the business work as restaurants have slim profit margins and need to be quick and efficient. We learned along with the business owner where to find and source the right equipment and how the flow in the space should work. The dining area has an efficient floor area, so we made the ceilings tall and brought in a lot of light. This will allow for a very comfortable and inviting space.
The exterior of the building needed to be eye catching to draw in customers. We blended stone and stucco to create a modern overall aesthetic.
Understanding the importance of space, we located the business office above the storage room, allowing for a compact floor plan while still allowing natural light into the work room (often a restaurant office is left interior to the business with no views out). We hope this will allow for not only a comfortable and inviting work space, but the ability for the manager to see how things are going downstairs when they are balancing the books.
We cannot wait for this restaurant to open so we can taste their creations!
