Like the land of enchantment itself, Chimayo Grill evokes the spirit of New Mexico. Located in a Newport Beach, CA, shopping mall, Chimayo Grill was created by the Hatch Design Group to be a prototype for a potential multi-unit chain funded by Taco Bell Corp. With a theme in mind -- the atmosphere and warmth of the Southwest -- the designers sought to create a setting that was unique, but also could be easily replicated for future locations.

According to Jeff Hatch, ASID, principal of Hatch Design Group in Costa Mesa, CA, Chimayo was created in an existing restaurant space. The interior space was enlarged and enhanced by extending the storefront to the limits of the lease line. Chimayo's steel signage, which has letters silhouetted against a glowing ruby red background, calls out to mall-goers.

"The shopping mall is circular," explains Hatch, "and Chimayo is on the outside of the circle. Guests can park out front and come directly into the restaurant without having to enter the mall."

Extending the storefront created two patio dining areas, one on either side of the red pediment-topped front entrance. To the left of the entrance is a rounded exterior patio that offers outdoor dining in the beauty of an overhead trellis woven with flowering bougainvillea and a tree stretching through the trellis.

The other patio simulates outdoor dining, but has a weatherproof roof that permits rainy day use and allows daylight to pass into the restaurant's interior. The ceiling here features lodge pole pines crossed with vigas and lattias, in authentic New Mexican style. Both patios have fireplaces.

Southwestern Touches
Intense, warm hues of amber, terra cotta and red are highlighted with accents of bronze and copper metals to create an inviting atmosphere that is reminiscent of the Southwest. The materials and furnishings incorporated in the design of Chimayo Grill were custom designed for the project, yet all can be reproduced for future locations.

Wood frame chairs have copper colored leather seats. Booths have the same leather seating, but the backs are covered in a colorful fabric of desert hues. Dining tables are maple with a cherry edge.

Throughout the restaurant, the walls are hand plastered for greater texture. Casement windows are topped with an exposed wood header and transom light, a technique that is typical of Southwestern design. In addition, the windows were wire brushed to create a rough, wind blown appearance. This weathered look also can be found on the restaurant's doors and wood beams.

High-tech lighting focuses on artwork and helps create a warm and inviting ambiance. In the bar, hanging light fixtures are made of glass beads strung with monofilament fishing line and wrapped in a coil. The bar's central light fixture is made of copper.

Other lighting in the bar highlights the pastel chalk mural done by Robert Wilhelm, brother of Chimayo's consultant, David Wilhelm. The mural, which vaguely resembles a desert scene, is lit from behind and in front.

Like the texturized walls, the bar top is also texturized with epoxy cement troweled to a smooth finish. The warm copper color is mixed in at the start and is, therefore, inherent in the cement.

Most of the flooring is flagstone, except for a carpet in the main dining area that was custom designed and colored. The majority of Chimayo's artwork is by Wilhelm, except for the decorative face masks, which were done by a variety of artists.

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