New York Raf Restaurant

One of the most hotly anticipated restaurant openings of the year in New York, Raf’s – a new European-style dining room and bakery – recently opened its doors to immense fanfare from both gourmands and design aficionados alike.

Located in the former Parisi Bakery, the restaurant not only celebrates the historic location with its food offering but also with its decor and design.

“We wanted to transform this century-old building into a contemporary destination with multi-use dining spaces that engage the storefront’s storied past and exhibit the sensibility and style of European café society,” says Post Company.

The renovated interior by Post Company is intimate yet striking in its simplicity – think neutral hues, classic subway tiles, leather banquettes and lots of honey-hued wood furniture and accents behind a classic wood-and-glass storefront facade, complete with gold lettering.

“We wanted to create an intimate reprieve for New Yorkers at Rafs,” says Jou-Yie Chou, a partner at Post Company.

“The space is designed with a certain charm and familiarity that makes the restaurant feel like it has been there for years – establishing a welcoming environment for guests to celebrate, mingle, and connect. The atmosphere matches the same indulgent energy that makes the legacy of this city and its inhabitants so remarkable.”

A gleaming wooden bar topped with Arabescato Rose marble, fresh flowers and just-baked pastries welcomes guests at the entrance. Here you can slip onto a mohair-upholstered stool and enjoy a drink or move to one of the leather banquettes and stone-topped tables at the front of the cafe.

In addition, there is also a main dining room, complete with crisp white tablecloths, pleated glass sconces and a hand-painted mural, which looks onto the open kitchen.

“Our design celebrates the legacy of a Belle Epoque haunt with a healthy dose of bold formality – a contradiction that’s particularly New York. The eclectic mix of modern forms and vintage elements of the material palette create a versatile day-to-night destination that’s elegant and relaxed, intimate and grand,” Post Company concludes.