Encore Saloon, an inspiringly hip Mexican Restaurant, located smack dab in the middle of Chinatown in Honolulu, is the new model for casual dining.

Upon entering, a long bar invites you to rest your arms on the cool concrete slab and gaze at the dozens of bottles of mezcal beautifully lit. A sculptural wood trellis hangs above the bar, while exposed brick walls feature curated illustrations, giving customers the feel of being inside an old-time cantina in Mexico City. Not only do the flavors of the food transport customers, but the unique space does as well. Encore Saloon has been transformed into the perfect pau hana spot, with customers reporting that, “Encore has a hip vibe with the moody lighting and exposed brick. It brings some class to Chinatown, but serves up food that's delicious and not so fussy -- a combination I can get down with.”

*Designed in collaboration with Andrew Neuman (AMA A/E), Jason Davis (RIM Architects).