Portfolio

KING'S FISH HOUSE

NEW CONCEPT IN 2015

King's Fish House was developed as a result of a cross-country road trip to find the ultimate seafood experience. They put on bibs, pulled up a seat, and ordered no-name dishes off hand-written and chalkboard "Specials" boards to find that great hospitality and a shared passion for quality seafood is what makes the most wholesome and meaningful experience.

Recently remodeled King's Fish House locations pay homage to their upscale sister restaurant, Water Grill, through the use of natural woods, large tufted booths, oversized captain's chairs, and nautical décor.

JIMMY'S FAMOUS

EST. 2009

HDG developed this concept as “an unfussy foodie favorite” that serves artisanal ingredients as American classics. The design nods to its name by incorporating bold hues, dark wood fixtures, and national symbols in the artwork such as painted murals of America the Beautiful lyrics and a distressed American flag. In two words, the JFAT design can be described as “nautical Americana.”

Fun Fact: HDG Principals hand-spliced and installed all the rope fixtures in all of the JFAT properties.

DUKE’S

EST. 2015

Duke’s La Jolla is named in honor of native Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing.

This casual design was inspired by Hawaiian and Southern California beach lifestyles mixed with a contemporary interpretation of traditional Hawaii.

CASTAWAY

NEW CONCEPT IN 2018

Design plays a major role at Castaway with operable picture windows that fully open to the patio, a prominent meat dry-aging room, a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar, a compelling wrap-around bar, and a highly coveted Chef’s Table set up.

HDG developed an unforgettable patio experience by incorporating a fireplace and fire elements, secluded nooks, and luxe teak furniture overlooking the San Fernando Valley and Downtown Los Angeles.

HELMSMAN ALE HOUSE

EST. 2019

AVANT

EST. 2015

Avant at Rancho Bernardo Inn is a casually elegant restaurant featuring a large dining lanai overlooking the resort's golf course; an unpretentious, yet refined dining room; and an interactive private teaching and exhibition kitchen.

VISTA COLLINA

EST. 2018

The Village curates the best of Napa into a unique Wine Country experience by featuring nine tasting rooms showcasing the best boutique wineries; an onsite upscale market, Fivetown Grocery; a Food & Wine Center; and an expansive 16,000-square-foot event lawn.

HDG worked closely with the families behind Trinitas Cellars and Foley Food and Wine Society to develop custom tasting rooms that support the lifestyle of each brand.

ANGEL OAK AT BACARA RESORT

EST. 2016

Angel Oak at Bacara aims to be approachable and welcoming to all guests; suit and tie or flip flops and jeans. The stark, angular architecture; moody, but clean color palette; and modern fixtures expected of a traditional steakhouse are offset by natural elements including gnarled bonsai trees and a bright, serene ocean view.

Featured Design Element: The floor-to-ceiling custom mosaic art piece at the restaurant's entrance features over 18,000 individual tiles. The piece was conceptualized by HDG and was executed by the industry’s leading producer of mosaic for interior and exterior decoration, Bisazza.

LAZY DOG CAFÉ

EST. 2003

HDG developed the mountain-inspired, dog-friendly concept for Lazy Dog Café in 2003 based on founder Chris Simms’s fond memories of the days he spent on his parents’ ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The design relies heavily on Southwestern textiles and natural materials, incorporating staggered stone on the walls and varying species, colors, and cuts of wood on the floor, fixtures, and interior over structures.

Awards: Lazy Dog Café won the Nation’s Restaurant News “Hot Concepts Award” in 2009.

Fun Fact: Samoa, Mike Hatch’s beloved Pitbull, has her photo hanging on the wall in several of the Lazy Dog locations.

LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE BAR-B-QUE

EST. 1999

Jeff Hatch, HDG Founder, and Craig Hofman, President of Hofman Hospitality Group, packed their bags and ate their way through the various BBQ regions of the South, taste-testing the spice rubs, savory sauces, and fixin’s that make Southern BBQ the best of the best. With the help of a branding consultant, “Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que” and the story that goes along with Lucille Buchanan’s big move to California came to life!

The design aims to capture the fun, jazz-inspired atmosphere of the French Quarter with bold colors, whimsical and playful art and accessories, and plantation-style architecture.

WATER GRILL

NEW CONCEPT IN 2012

Although the first location made its debut in Los Angeles in 1989, the iconic Water Grill design that guests know and love today originated in 2012 when the original restaurant was remodeled. This deep-sea fishing ship turned restaurant features rough-sawn structural timbers; oceanic blues complementing yellow ochres; huge hand-strewn oyster shell chandeliers; custom pulley sconces with nautical rope and cleat details; and oversized captain’s chairs.

Fun fact: King’s Seafood Company shucks 3 million oysters per year; 14,000 of which are hand-strung to create the oyster chandelier lighting the oyster bar in Water Grill Las Vegas.

KETCH

EST. 2019

Ketch's design juxtaposes modern-industrial and rustic elements by mixing contemporary light fixtures, metal bar and liquor displays, and geometric bar tile patterns with natural wood trusses and ceilings, custom exposed wood lounge settees, and muted and comfortable textiles.

Featured Design Element: Ketch is filled with fun, nautical art pieces such as an abstract picture of a diver kissing a mermaid; a diving suit and helmet; a custom topographical map of Catalina Island; and text in the shape of a sailor that reads "a woman knows the face of the man she loves like a sailor knows the open sea."

PLAYA MESA

EST. 2018

Playa Mesa has a vibrant, south of the border ambiance showcasing a traditional comal; a large bar over structure with Agave spirits, select Mexican lagers and hand-picked Spanish, Central and South American wines; and bold, colorful textiles.

Inspired by cultural influences synonymous with coastal Baja and mainland Mexico, Playa Mesa brings a refreshing approach to authentic Mexican food, drink, and design.

TANNER'S AT PASÉA

EST. 2017

Tanner's showcases breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from the indoor and outdoor seating areas, and features an extended indoor bar plus a chic Treehouse-style rooftop bar that overlooks the ocean. The restaurant offers guest and locals a playful beachside atmosphere that connects them to the local surf scene while enjoying an unforgettable dinning experience

Awards: Recent accolades include being named "Best of the Best-Hotel- Restaurants" by Modern Luxury OC and "The Best Oceanfront Dining" by Elevated Life Magazine.

TENDER GREENS

EST. 2015

HDG worked closely with Tender Greens to create a reproducible design for their national expansion. The design incorporates natural, light-colored woods and wood elements such as light fixtures and ceiling trusses; bright and funky lenticular wall displays that change with the viewers perspective; and numerous shades of green and various earth-tones.