Gorō Ramen + Izakaya
Gorō Ramen + Izakaya, located at a central intersection within Oklahoma City’s historic Paseo Arts District, features ramen dishes, snacks and cocktails inspired by the James Beard Award semifinalist chef’s travels across Asia and his Laotian roots. The restaurant has an elevated entry dressed in dark curtains and battens displays entry to the restaurant.
The restaurant’s character was conceived as a glimpse of the experience one would have while wandering the dense, pub-studded, alleys of urban Japan. An elevated entry deck projecting into the public right-of-way dressed in dark curtains and battens speaks to medieval Japan and announces entry to the restaurant. Lighting within the space was kept intentionally sparse to create an intimate mood for dining while reserving bright wash lighting for a prominent mural visible to patrons throughout the restaurant. Analogous positive and negative spaces converse as the bar, caged in dark-stained wood battens, plays in tandem with the open grill definite by its exposed red vend hood offering patrons a full view of dishes undergoing preparation.
Wallace Design Collective provided structural engineering services for an interior remodel of an existing building.
photos: ©Joseph Mills