Rockwell Group was inspired by Simon Kim’s desire to create a modern cathedral for all things fried chicken. For COQODAQ (an onomatopoeia for “cock-a-doodle-doo” in Korean), we infused the dark, luxurious dining room with touches of art nouveau, abstracted interpretations of traditional Korean patterns, custom furniture and dynamic, highly strategic lighting throughout.
Beyond the handwashing station, an informal dining area features a first-come, first-served custom communal table, plus high tops and moveable furniture pieces.
Guests are greeted by a handwashing station in green soapstone with a leathered finish and bronze Italian fixtures. An inset warm bronze mirror with lights inspired by the restaurant’s ovoid logo bathes guests in a flattering, luminous glow.
The intimate dining room has an added layer of luxury and liveliness and is dominated by a bar and custom Hollywood banquettes in muted forest green.
Plaster walls panels behind the banquettes have a traditional trim, but were treated with a surprising and contemporary crackled effect, a subtle reference to the crisp skin of the fried chicken.
The dining room’s runway-like circulation is rhythmically marked by a series of “ghost” arches made of lit cast glass and bronze metal connections—a typically-architectural intervention rendered here in light, instead, and casting a sparkling glow on diners and food. Theater lights on the sides of the banquettes that face the walkway add additional drama to the space, and a mirrored wall at the end of the room creates an infinity effect.
