Located within Houston’s shopping center, The Galleria, is the renovated all-day dining destination, Daily Grill. Reimagined by award-winning Washington, D.C.-based architecture and interior design firm GrizForm Design Architects, the 4,200-square-foot restaurant, housed on the second level, underwent a major makeover — from dark and dated to light and lively.
For the refresh, the GrizForm team employed custom, modern yet dramatic elements while utilizing existing ones. A light material and color palette is seen throughout — mint, grey, and gold mingle with elements like vintage white subway tile found on the bar’s facade. Herringbone stone mosaic tile adds additional detail with its application on the bar back as well as in the flooring as shown through the new chevron large-format and accent tiling. The new detailing also complements the existing deep, dark-stained wood found throughout that was refreshed with gray paint.
While giving the restaurant an updated look and feel was key, a heavy emphasis was placed on creating a new bar design, which now offers 12 seats and a fresh appearance. The original bar and above soffit was also transformed where its chamfered corners from the 1980s now don modern curves. Heavy millwork found at the back bar was replaced with glass and brass-framed custom shelving and a decorative security panel system was implemented for an attractive yet required way to lock the bar after closing.
The 172-seat warm and inviting dining and lounge areas carry through the palette where new dining chairs and custom banquettes mix with existing booths that were reupholstered with updated fabrics and vinyl. LED chandeliers, sconces, and pendants illuminate Daily Grill. Mint is used to make the ceilings pop with color, and custom wallcoverings found at the buffet wall add character thanks to a longhorn graphic. To bring in some greenery and incorporate a play on taxidermy, plant fronds replicate antlers in the lounge and bloom out of their planters.
For a more intimate dining experience, a 25-seat private dining room features panels dressed in a striking armadillo wallcovering pattern with grey-painted trim to complement. Touches of mint are again found, displayed in elements such as the carpet design.
