Bar Raval: Reinterpreting the Pintxo Experience
Pintxos bars are a cornerstone of social and gastronomic culture in the Catalan region of northern Spain. When renowned Toronto chef Grant van Gameren and his partners envisioned opening a pintxos (tapas-style) bar in Toronto, they sought to create a sensory environment that would meld the experience of socializing, eating and drinking in the authentic Spanish tradition.
The architectural firm of PARTISANS executed van Gameren's vision with hewn mahogany panels that resemble unbroken Mobius strips. Flowing mahogany surfaces wrap the restaurant's bar, walls, and ceiling in a modern interpretation Spanish Art Nouveau.
Bar Raval is a stand-up environment, and the rippling mahogany surfaces encourage patrons to lean into the wood's soft edges and interact with the setting. Raval's molten quality encourages circulation and close encounters, giving patrons the sense that they are immersed in the space.
The design's complex geometry informed the selection of the wood. "Mahogany has a tight interlocking grain that allowed for uniform patterning across the extreme curvature of the panels that form the bar and walls," said PARTISANS principal Jon Friedman. In addition, its aesthetic qualities, rich color, lustrous finish and resonant fragrance due to its oil content made it the right choice for the application.
Bar Raval is meant to be a sensory experience, and wood engages all the senses. "One of the first things you notice when you walk into Bar Raval is the scent of the mahogany," Friedman said. "The wood is transformative, in a sense."
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Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for Bar Raval in Toronto?+
Mahogany was used throughout Bar Raval, with hewn mahogany panels wrapping the bar, walls, and ceiling in flowing, Mobius-strip-like surfaces.
Why was mahogany chosen for Bar Raval's curved panels?+
Mahogany has a tight interlocking grain that allowed for uniform patterning across the extreme curvature of the panels forming the bar and walls. Its rich color, lustrous finish, and resonant fragrance from its oil content also made it well suited to the application.
Who designed Bar Raval in Toronto?+
The architectural firm PARTISANS designed Bar Raval, executing chef Grant van Gameren's vision for an authentic Spanish-style pintxos bar.
What design style inspired Bar Raval's interior?+
The flowing mahogany surfaces are a modern interpretation of Spanish Art Nouveau, designed to evoke the sensory and social environment of pintxos bars in Catalonia.
How does Bar Raval's design encourage patron interaction?+
Bar Raval is a stand-up environment where the rippling mahogany surfaces invite patrons to lean into the wood's soft edges. The molten quality of the space encourages circulation and close encounters, immersing guests in the setting.
How does the mahogany engage the senses at Bar Raval?+
The wood engages sight, touch, and smell—one of the first things guests notice upon entering is the scent of the mahogany, which comes from the wood's natural oil content. PARTISANS principal Jon Friedman described the wood as transformative.