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5 2 • r e s t a u r a n t d e v e l o p m e n t + d e s i g n • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 of the space, we used a very talented residential designer who did a great job without any direction. Moving forward, we tried to replicate that — but the scale was out of place, and we never found our footing. The units performed well, and continue to, but the design wasn't where we wanted it to be. I think halfway between that frst unit and Gaithersburg we started sharpening our focus on how to bring the design and the brand together. And the thought really came with the idea of a more residential-style hospitality, like inviting someone into your home — which, of course, is what true paladares offer. We'd never pulled the whole thing together, but it was sud- denly a clear directive for both the brand and the design. That's when the name Paladar and the residential aspect all started coming together." Kristie Oldham at Cleveland-based Richardson Design led the prototype rede- sign and branding effort in Gaithersburg, starting with an empty shell. Located in a new lifestyle center, it was Paladar's frst freestanding unit and, at 6,700 square feet, is comparable in size to other loca- tions. Certain elements of the Paladar brand from existing units — particularly brand colors and a vibrant bar where rum is the hero — are consistent. But room by room, the balance of the space offers an elevated, more strategically designed ex- perience that brings the brand's essence to life in fresh, new ways. PALADAR LATIN KITCHEN & RUM BAR The bar area is large and open to the casual dining room on one side and a patio on the other. Painted wooden beams and pressed-tin ceiling panels help to create a more intimate atmosphere, and a variety of seating styles accommodates different customer occasions.