Hook & Master

Philadelphia, PA

Chef Jose Garces, a Chicago native, wanted to update a corner pizza joint and feature different pizza styles, including Chicago and Brooklyn pies. I jumped at the chance to help bring his vision to life. When an Iron Chef asks you to create a “pizza tiki corner bar,” it’s time to put on your creative thinking cap and think outside the pizza box.

Through an extensive brainstorming process, I landed on five key concepts: Italy, the coastline, water, octopus, and tikis. My initial presentation featured a large octopus-themed mural adorning the exterior of this non-descript building in the up-and-coming arts neighborhood of Old Kensington in Philadelphia. Chef Jose loved the idea and even created portions of his appetizer menu around the theme, featuring fresh octopus and seafood.

With a nod to Bill Murray (also a Chicago native) and his character in Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic, I married the dark corner bar atmosphere of the building with the details of a steampunk ship. Salvaged steamship pendant lights were installed above the main bar, while retro bar stools evoke memories of classic seafood restaurants. Deep-sea curiosities grace the upper walls and even make appearances in the restrooms.

I also slightly reconfigured the main bar to accommodate a hostess stand, a take-out window, and a centered marquee featuring a custom shell sculpture.

To further enhance the experience, I added a graphic mural that draws guests to the back of the restaurant and encourages them upstairs to the tiki bar and lounge. The narrow rowhome footprint was maximized with banquette seating and visually elevated through bold patterns, colors, and textures. A black backdrop ties together the first-floor dive bar aesthetic with the upstairs club vibe. The buoy chandelier, tiki bar backdrop, and various pieces of artwork throughout the space were all custom-designed elements of the project.

I’d like to believe the décor is what sets this restaurant apart, but of course, the culinary talent of Chef Garces truly takes center stage. Hook & Master has been earning spots on Philadelphia’s top pizza and restaurant lists since opening in the fall of 2021.