SAFFY’S RESTAURANT
East Hollywood, CA
Client: Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis
Location: East Hollywood, CA
Scope: 2,500 sf Restaurant and Outdoor Dining
Role: Architect of Record
A neighborhood gathering place in a historic Art Deco building in the heart of East Hollywood, Saffy's embodies our commitment to creating spaces where people connect over shared meals and meaningful moments. This intimate restaurant from Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis (chef-owners of Bestia and Bavel) celebrates Middle Eastern heritage while honoring its Los Angeles context.
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Working closely with the owners and interior designer, NCA Studio wove a '70s-era Moroccan aesthetic into the building's architectural character, transforming the space into three distinct yet harmonious areas. The main dining room envelops guests in warmth—high ceilings adorned with brass chandeliers, jewel-toned stained glass windows, and plush seating create an intimate atmosphere for lingering conversations. The lively bar area, with its sweeping curved counter, stunning shelving, playful wall patterns, and arched doorways, invites after-work gatherings and spontaneous connections.
At the heart of the design lies the expanded open kitchen, where flames dance from the live firewood grill and the energy of culinary craft becomes theater. Pale pink hues, golden accents, and light wood tones infuse the space with approachable warmth. Here, the boundaries between cooking and dining dissolve, creating an authentic sense of place where good food and good company naturally converge—the very essence of what makes a restaurant special.
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Interior Design
Nicky Kaplan InteriorsStructural Engineering
Structural FocusMechanical Electrical and Plumbing Engineer
EMC EngineeringGeneral Contractor
GCXKitchen Consultant
Kitchen Restaurant + Bar SpecialistPhotographer
Joseph Weaver -
2023
LIV Hospitality Design Awards
Architectural Design Restaurant – Casual
WinnerLos Angeles Business Coucil Architectural Design Award Retail/ Restaurant Catagory
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