Project Description:
Restaurateurs Yuan and Carey Tang brought a new American restaurant, Rooster & Owl, to Washington D.C.’s 14th Street in 2019, shaking up the restaurant scene with an intimate design concept and Michelin-starred prix fixe menu. The talented husband and wife duo are returning to their hometown roots in Falls Church, Virginia, with the launch of their latest F&B collaboration: Ellie Bird, the “little sister” to Rooster & Owl. The concept came to the Tangs during the pandemic, when their second daughter, and the restaurant’s namesake, was born. After quickly pivoting to takeaway service at Rooster & Owl, they realized the fine dining experience was unique to each individual, not one size fits all. The team tapped local architecture and design firm //3877 to bring their vision for a casual, family-friendly restaurant, inspired by the playful, spirited personality of their youngest daughter, to fruition. Slated to open its doors in early 2023, Ellie Bird is located in the brand-new, mixed-use Founder’s Row development in West Falls Church, a vibrant community within the desirable suburb of Washington D.C. 

Prominently positioned on a corner within the new development, Ellie Bird’s exterior features fun, custom-designed graphics and pops of color, balanced by elegant signage on the storefront, piquing the interest and curiosity of passersby. At the entrance, the host stand embraces a playful design with two lamps that are reminiscent of birds and a wall sconce set inside a bird cage that casts the shadow of a peacock. The host stand area opens up to the restaurant’s expansive high ceilings, with the main bar tucked away by an impressive gantry that is located directly to the right. //3877’s bar design centers around the thoughtful placement of color and elevation with funky blue tiles on the facade and wall tile on the back of the bar that is reminiscent of trees and birds. The back-bar shelving creates a seamless transition from vibrant colors to soft wood tones and a luminous back display.

Leaning further into the bird-inspired concept, //3877 designed custom, partially-enclosed bird cage banquettes within the dining room––a focal point of the space—located alongside other flexible seating options. A modern-day, foodies take on “dinner and a show,” the chef’s counter can be found at the heart of the restaurant, showcasing an open kitchen for guests to take in the sights, sounds, and smells from the nearby food preparation. Guests can experience the kitchen at the chef’s counter, with a direct view of the action. Another surprising point of discovery for guests is the bathrooms, bringing unexpected fun with custom graphic wall coverings that are sure to generate some laughs and smiles during a patron’s visit. 

As a wayfinding tactic, the design team uses large-scale patterns to lead guests and employees effortlessly around the sophisticated, yet lively restaurant. While guests journey deeper into the space, they might notice that the 77-seat dining destination shares visual similarities with her older sister, Rooster & Owl, through simplistic, linear designs, exposed metals, and warm wood tones. There are also subtle nods to the Yang’s first restaurant through other design details such as the repetitive geometric shapes and Owl wall sconces. While both restaurants create a comforting dining environment for guests and feature certain similarities, //3877 incorporated an entirely different spirit into Ellie Bird’s design to give it its own personality. Round, inventive shapes along the floor plan add layers to the rectangular backdrop, resulting in the playful use of open space, while a clever, decorative effect draws the attention of guests with bright, saturated colors stippled throughout. 

Ideally located within the new Founder’s Row development, Ellie Bird is conveniently close to retail spaces and a movie theater, making it the perfect place to grab a bite to eat before enjoying a day of shopping, catching a film, or enjoying outdoor entertainment in the area. //3877’s lighthearted design thoughtfully welcomes families, individuals, and larger groups to have a delicious meal in a charming and playful setting.