Chefs Macks Collins and Bryan Kidwell, East Coasters who moved to L.A. with a Mad Max-inspired food truck (Mad Pambazos) and a dream, found a permanent home for their cuisine and aesthetic with Piccalilli, a California-Asian restaurant that opened last week.
The whimsical spins on fine dining with bright flavors and fire-based cooking are plated in highly visual, ready-for-my-closeup style. The chefs partnered with Asheville, N.C.-based potter Crazy Green Studios for custom ceramic plating to frame each dish.
Piccalilli is reportedly one of the first instances of directional black light used in a restaurant, so guests’ photos of snapper crudo, pre-Prohibition cocktails and Thai banana hush puppies will be literally “lit.” The directional black light was designed by lighting designer John Barlow and results in dishes that appear more color-saturated.
The backdrop behind the food is just as attention grabbing: Collins and Kidwell partnered with hospitality design studio Preen Inc. for a style that blends tropical and futuristic punctuated by conversation-starting art and on-trend colors like emerald, sea foam and cobalt.
Here's a look a Piccalilli.
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