Engstrom Design Group Chosen to design new Contemporary Vietnamese Restaurant & Gallery Opening in Autumn 2002

Palo Alto, Calif., Aug. 13, 2002 – The proprietors of Tamarine Restaurant have chosen Engstrom Design Group, one of America’s leading restaurant design firms, to develop their concept of a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant featuring the cuisine and culture of present day Vietnam.

The concept, cuisine and distinctive culture of Tamarine are products of years of travel, dining and exploration throughout Southeast Asia by proprietor Anne Le and executive chef/proprietor Tammy Huynh. Hailing from the award-winning Vung Tau family of restaurateurs, the two set out to create a way to experience the culture of Vietnam through its cuisine, its art and cultural practices.

“We love working with young restaurant entrepreneurs because that’s where the fresh new ideas come from,” said Eric Engstrom, principal of Engstrom Design Group.  “With Tamarine, we are creating a simple, contemporary and elegant atmosphere to complement its extraordinary cuisine and highlight the featured works of art.”

The Asian-style interior will have a rich color palette, creating a warm, natural backdrop for the art.  Selected works of emerging Southeast Asian artists will be the major focus of each of the three main dining areas. Semi-annual exhibits will close with a cocktail event to auction the artwork.  Proceeds generated from the auctions will be donated to La Maison Chance, an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

 “The art is an integral part of Tamarine’s concept,” said Anne.  “It fulfills our desire to promote the cultural achievements of Vietnam and provides us with another means of philanthropic giving.”

Engstrom to design Contemporary Vietnamese Restaurant                             

Featuring light but flavor-intensive culinary delicacies of Vietnam, Tamarine’s small plate entrees are paired with a variety of aromatic, flavor infused rice dishes. These dishes are designed to be mixed and matched in ways that balance flavors and fragrance, as well as texture and color.  The interactive dining experience Tamarine’s proprietors envision encourages guests to compose their own combinations of aromatic infused rice and small plates to create their own unique flavor experience.  “We will be there to guide and offer suggestions, but we want our guests to experiment and savor their own creations,” said Anne.

Tamarine will seat a total of 164 guests in its formal dining room, private dining area, bar and patio.  The bar contains two high communal tables that will be the focal point of the room.  The complete menu, along with small plate specialties, will be available here, as will specialty cocktails with Asian fruit bases and dramatic tropical flavors such as lichee infused Vodka martinis.

Engstrom Design Group, a nationally renowned restaurant design and architecture firm based in San Rafael, Calif., has recently designed fine dining restaurants for signature chefs Bradley Ogden, Wolfgang Puck, and Kent Rathbun. 

Tamarine Restaurant is located at 546 University Avenue, Palo Alto, Calif., and will open in the autumn of 2002.  Call Kristine Schaefer at 650 529-1250 for further details or visit www.tamarinerestaurant.com. Works of art can be viewed online or in private viewings.  For reservations or private viewings, please call 650 325-8500.