Andy Baraghani’s New NYC Restaurant Features Unique Design Elements
Chef Andy Baraghani blends personal home aesthetics with industrial history at his new Flatiron café.
1Chef Enters Design World
Chef and cookbook author Andy Baraghani is launching his new restaurant, Ditto, in New York’s Flatiron district. Despite his extensive culinary background at establishments like Chez Panisse and Estela, Baraghani initially resisted the project. He eventually partnered with investor Michael Silber to create an all-day café that reflects his personal design sensibilities.
2Home-Inspired Aesthetic Philosophy
Baraghani applied a strict personal test to every design decision within the restaurant: would he use this item in his own home? This approach led to a curated interior featuring vintage Holophane pendants and deep blue Venetian plaster walls. The goal was to create a space that feels both approachable and deeply personal.
3Collaborative Design Vision
The team drew inspiration from diverse movements including Bauhaus, de Stijl, and 1970s Italian aesthetics. Collaborators Eric Wink and architect Alta Indelman helped translate these concepts into a functional space. They specifically aimed to evoke the casual, diner-like atmosphere of the beloved, now-closed City Bakery, which was located nearby on 16th Street.
4Three-Zone Spatial Layout
The restaurant is housed in a 1905 former factory building and divided into three distinct zones. The front area functions as a market, the middle section features a glossy white counter for ordering, and the rear dining area offers a calmer, blue-toned environment. These zones balance high-energy service with quiet, comfortable seating.
5Industrial and Modern Fusion
Architect Alta Indelman preserved the building's industrial character by keeping structural arches and polished concrete floors. She added patinated stainless steel to the walls and open kitchen to provide a high-tech, utilitarian contrast. This combination of raw industrial elements and refined design choices defines the restaurant's unique visual identity and atmosphere.
6Curated Vintage Details
The interior is filled with carefully sourced vintage pieces, including 1960s Dutch Model S22 chairs from Galvanitas. Michael Silber spent hours bidding on eBay to acquire midcentury ceramic bud vases, creating a display reminiscent of a Giorgio Morandi painting. These small, intentional details add a layer of craft to the utilitarian space.
7Personal Touches and Art
Baraghani contributed personal items to the decor, including two large midcentury French ceramic faces on loan from his own home. Other unique elements include custom sound-artist speakers and Maharam’s Stripe It fabric on stools, which Baraghani selected for its Baja California vibe. These choices ensure the space feels like a curated home.
8Menu and Operational Focus
Ditto offers a daily-changing menu handwritten on butcher’s paper, featuring items like pomegranate spoon salad and signature granola with fig-leaf oil. By combining a market-driven food philosophy with a highly specific, home-centric design language, Baraghani and Silber have created a distinct dining destination that prioritizes both aesthetic comfort and culinary quality.