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The Japanese tradition of moon-viewing lights up Tsukimi in the East Village

A Taste of Tsukimi

The Japanese tradition of moon-viewing lights up Tsukimi in the East Village

Tsukimi is a small but elegant new Japanese restaurant with a design inspired by the ancient tradition of moon-viewing. (Reed McKendree)

An assuming brick building in New York’s East Village houses an elegant and warm Japanese restaurant on its first floor that’s been designed as an ode to the mid-autumn full moon. Tsukimi, located at 228 East 10 St., recently opened under the tutelage of renowned chef Takanori Akiyama and was inspired by the festival tradition of tsukimi, or “moon viewing,” which happens at the start of fall harvest each year.

Designed by Brooklyn-based firm Studio Tack, the modest space “aids in slowing the mind down” and utilizes both expressive and simple patterns to focus guests on intentional eating and community. White oak is the primary material found throughout the restaurant and is visible in everything from the two communal tables that face each other, to the shelves underneath, and the tambour wall paneling behind. The soft tones of the wood and its various textures are mixed to produce a comforting and relaxed feel. The design team further honed in on the tsukimi symbolism by enveloping the interior with a pleasant glow, one that also extends to the street via the corduroy glass on the windows.

Read the full story on our interiors and design site, aninteriormag.com. 


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