When BJ’s Restaurants wanted to create a new urban market concept, the company turned to past collaborator Costa Mesa, California-based Richard McCormack Design. “BJ’s Grill Anaheim Hills' goal was to establish a new concept featuring an exhibition kitchen, contemporary design and decor package, and a more personalized guest service model based on new point-of sale technology driven by handheld computer tablets,” explains president Rick McCormack.

With that in mind, he and his team crafted a casual environment with exposed structural elements contrasted with unadorned concrete on the floors, Arabian red walls, wooden carpentry, and steel. Unexpected splashes of color comes in the form of glowing glass tiles fronting the bar and artwork found throughout. “The result is simple clean lines paired with warm earthy tones; rich wood finishes and cabinetry artfully arranged to create a balanced, harmonious, and functional restaurant,” he says.

Highlights of the space are the lighting—there’s an internal clerestory light well with custom pendants, and the bar boasts a glowing display of bottles—and the outdoor patio, with its steel and wood roof structure and large fireplace.

Explains McCormack: “Our main challenge was to create a second iconic design for a well-established restaurant company. With more than 130 restaurants nationwide, BJ’s has established itself as one of the fastest growing concepts in the U.S. and was looking to us to make lightning strike a second time. The concept had to be immediately recognizable as part of the BJ’s family and be easily replicated on a national scale.”