In conceiving Tori Tori Santa Fe — the fifth in a series of popular Japanese restaurants in Mexico City — Esrawe Studio assembled thoughtful references to both contemporary and historic Japan. In line with the restrained purity synonymous with the country, the project contrasts a predominantly dark interior with finely crafted light wood accents. Two suspended totems constructed from slanted holm oak panels, artfully arranged to recall the rectangular plates of ancient Samurai armour, are internally illuminated to provide mood lighting. One of these majestic glowing structures doubles as a cylindrical extraction hood above the restaurant’s signature teppanyaki table, where guests can watch their food being cooked right in front of them. Another treat for the eyes: the main wall adorned with a relief pattern featuring geometric graphics based on kanji characters. Forget offering a taste of Japan — Tori Tori Santa Fe serves up a full visual feast.

Location Mexico City, Mexico Firm Esrawe Studio, Mexico Team Héctor Esrawe and Heisei Carmona with Vanessa Ortega, Viviana Contreras, Abraham Carrillo, Enrique Tovar, Fabián Dávila, Cristina Margain, Roberto González, Lilian Betancourt and Javier García-Rivera Photos César Béjar