Dining With an Architectural View

Teakwood · #1 Posted **Aug 31, 2016, 2:13 PM**

I am by no means wealthy. I am decidedly middle-class. But I often fantasize about dining at some of the most amazing restaurants in the world. When I come across one online, I will add a Yelp bookmark for that place, one which I will likely never have the means to visit. As the stars sometimes align, I occasionally do get to experience some fantastic dining establishments while travelling, albeit on a budget.

Also, I am not a foodie. As an architecture nerd, my preferences often have little to do with food, and everything to do with beautiful architecture, interior design, and a killer view.

I'll start by posting a few that I can personally vouch for, along with tips for visiting there. When I run out of places I have been, I'll empty my Yelp bookmarks into this thread. Feel free to add your own, as I could always use new dining experiences to fantasize about!

Restaurante Terraza
Mexico City, MX

http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...om.mx/galeria/

http://www.restauranteterrazaciudadd...om.mx/galeria/

There are two main excuses for visiting Restaurante Terraza: The view of Zocalo, the historic center of Mexico City, and being able to walk through the atrium of the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico. There are probably a dozen or so other restaurants with similar views along the square, but none has you pass through the beautiful 5 star Gran Hotel, which will generally set you back ~$85/night. Upon arriving at the rooftop, there is an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet full of delicious Mexican food. The price is ~$12/per person. $12 for that view. And Mexican food. $12.

Teakwood · #2 Posted **Aug 31, 2016, 2:22 PM**

Altius
Pittsburgh, PA

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...NmodD4gw/o.jpg

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...BUnj8kfA/o.jpg

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pi...ltiusthumb.jpg

I can't vouch for other restaurants atop Mount Washington in Pittsburgh, but this is the one that accommodated us with reservations during the 4th of July fireworks a couple of years back. The fireworks are set off from a barge in the Ohio River below, and explode just outside the huge picturesque windows.

Teakwood · #3 Posted **Aug 31, 2016, 2:31 PM**

Rat's Restaurant
Hamilton, NJ

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...9e68ffd5ce.jpg

http://www.uncommonevents.net/wp-con...phia-venue.jpg

https://njmonthly.com/wp-content/upl...Restaurant.jpg

Located within the hidden jewel, Grounds for Sculpture, an arboretum/modern sculpture gallery, this restaurant and setting is designed to evoke Claude Monet's town of Giverny, complete with a bridge over a pond of water lilies.

Teakwood · #4 Posted **Aug 31, 2016, 2:44 PM**

Center Cafe
Washington, DC

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/11366131.jpg

http://www.nickspics.net/main.php?g2...serialNumber=2

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...on-station.jpg

Sadly, it appears this one is gone forever. While I can appreciate preservationists preference in keeping the main hall of Union Station closer to its original form, you couldn't beat the view from the upper level of this place.

Teakwood · #5 Posted **Aug 31, 2016, 2:55 PM**

Wright's Steakhouse / Frank & Albert's
Phoenix, AZ

These are 2 Frank Lloyd Wright themed restaurants inside the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Arizona Biltmore Resort. Frank & Albert's has a $5 happy hour with small plates and some of the best damn cocktails I've ever had.

Teakwood · #6 Posted **Aug 31, 2016, 3:09 PM**

The Signature Lounge
Chicago, IL

Located on the 96th Floor of the John Hancock Center in Chicago. The cost of an $8 beer is a price well worth the admission, especially considering visiting the observation deck 2 floors lower will set you back $20.

BrandonJXN · #7 Posted **Sep 2, 2016, 5:06 PM**

Bonavista Lounge in Downtown Los Angeles? The ride up there is fun too.

• Video Link

red-paladin · #8 Posted **Oct 2, 2016, 11:24 AM**

Top of Vancouver restaurant at Harbour Centre
Photos from http://www.topofvancouver.com/

RobEss · #9 Posted **Oct 3, 2016, 10:46 PM**

La Botteghe Di Donatello
Florence, Italy

I can't find any quality images of this establishment, but I have distinct memories of eating a veal cutlet on their outdoor terrace, literal steps away from Il Duomo.

Image Source

Teakwood · #10 Posted **Oct 5, 2016, 1:51 PM**

^^^All 3 of you have excellent additions. I've added them to my Yelp bookmarks

Restaurant le Panoramic
Mount Blanc, France

http://www.peaktransfer.com/blog/wp-...t-chamonix.jpg

http://images.chamonix.net/images/or...al/cxnapc0.jpg

http://savoies-pix.chez-alice.fr/hau...2_mt_blanc.jpg

Teakwood · #11 Posted **Oct 5, 2016, 2:02 PM**

360 Saint Louis
Saint Louis, MO

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noqpl4qX0q...IY/s1600/9.jpg

http://www3.hilton.com/resources/med...ion_Center.jpg

http://jeremypollack.net/wp-content/...8-_JP_5814.jpg

Teakwood · #12 Posted **Oct 5, 2016, 2:09 PM**

Bube's Brewery
Mount Joy, PA

https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bph...0enaZrew/o.jpg

http://media.pennlive.com/patriot-ne...0-standard.jpg

http://bubesbrewery.com/wp-content/u...33-640x400.jpg

mhays · #13 Posted **Jun 5, 2017, 3:07 PM**

Great thread. Puglia gets #1. Most of these are awesome.

The Tate Modern's latest addition is a "fail" in their main restaurant. It's a case of architecture getting in the way. The narrow band of windows starts about 6" too high for the average diner to really see the view. They might have solved this with stools and higher tables, or put in raised flooring. The restaurant was clearly an afterthought.

geomorph · #14 Posted **Jun 6, 2017, 12:19 AM**

Since some of the posts in the thread do not have a view except for the impressive interior of the room itself, I submit for your approval...

Restaurant: Garden Court at the Palace Hotel
Location: San Francisco, California

Photo taken by geomorph in 2011.

geomorph · #15 Posted **Jun 6, 2017, 12:37 AM**

Does a grand dining room at a college count? If so,...

Restaurant: D-Hall at Flagler College
Location: St. Augustine, Florida

All photos taken by geomorph in 2009.

geomorph · #16 Posted **Jun 6, 2017, 1:10 AM**

Does an event space for wine dinners count? If so,...

Restaurant: Castello di Amorosa
Location: Calistoga, California

All photos taken by geomorph in 2012.

geomorph · #17 Posted **Jun 11, 2017, 8:41 PM**

Restaurant: The Cliff House
Location: San Francisco, California

All photos taken by geomorph in 2012.

deja vu · #18 Posted **Jun 13, 2017, 2:19 AM**

This is a neat idea for a thread. I probably can't afford most of these either. But I can dream - subscribing....NOW.

Matthew · #19 Posted **Aug 16, 2017, 1:58 AM**

Winston-Salem:
The Flour Box Tea Room & Cafe
The building was constructed in 1775. This neighborhood, on downtown Winston-Salem's south side, is filled with National Landmarks from the 1700s and early 1800s. Yes, the neighborhood has a large number of tourists, as one of the city's big tourist attractions. The tea room & cafe has frequent live music and movie nights.

Credit

Both indoor and outdoor spaces:

Credit

This photograph shows the space with people and live music:

Credit

deja vu · #20 Posted **Jun 13, 2017, 2:24 AM**

The Radisson Lackawanna Station in Scranton, PA has a quite beautiful dining hall:

Imag Source: tnetnoc.com