It started with ERL asking for a concept validation. A property was coming onto the market beside their other venues and ERL wanted to turn it into a cocktail bar. My conclusion: a cocktail bar for the neighborhood was a great idea, but not in that space; too big. My recommendation: separate the large space into two separate concepts; a cocktail bar and a restaurant.

Taking cues from the area's history as a 19th century rail hub, I proposed a train travel inspired concept that worked to link the bar and restaurant to each other, and both venues to the neighborhood. During renovations, rail tracks we found under the floors.

Eloise is the 'dining car' of a patron's journey through the evening. It's visual direction and design decisions all hint toward a previous era. It's typography was selected to communicate sophistication and functionality you might feel is someplace between an invitation and a ticket. Every detail of the restaurant and its launch was thoughtfully considered, from the name down to the parchment paper which displays paper marbling patterns common in 18th and 19th century book end papers.

eloiserestaurant.ca

@eloisetoronto