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Xilantro Restaurant & Tequila Bar

Project completed: 2011
Project area: 4,200 square feet

Xilantro's interior design captures the laid-back feel of a traditional cantina with modern flair

Xilantro's clean, modern interior eschews the stereotypical donkey-and-sombrero Mexican-restaurant thematic and instead offers a sophisticated lime and white color scheme, modern fixtures and finishes, and a casually contemporary aesthetic that feels comfortable for Saturday night drinks or a weekday dinner.

Morrissey Design brought life to the restaurant owner's vision of a modern Mexican restaurant. The colors are derived from limes and the herb cilantro, both common in Mexican cooking. Old black-and-white photos and a dark floor contrast the bright colors, while fluid lines soften the room. A molded plastic and wood soffit begins around the bottle-service area and curves around the interior, becoming shelving, hostess station, and partitions. It is highlighted with glowing lights, glass shelves, and green leather banquettes, offering a funky and fun vibe.

The restaurant design project used materials in creative ways to maximize a minimal budget. Materials range from fun to functional throughout the restaurant. Green and white glass embedded in the bar offers texture and visual interest. The front bar is high-gloss laminate with bubble-texture panels. The flooring is a combination of commercial-grade tile planks to mimic wood and woven vinyl flooring – both selected for long-term durability. An acrylic slat-wall between the bar and restaurant and sheer drapery diffuse light and noise while maintaining continuity between the spaces. Even the restrooms are detailed, with cantilevered concrete countertops, green glass tile, laminate wall wraps, and polished stainless "mirrors".