Grillno | Keiji Ashizawa Design

Only a few minutes walk from Kawaguchi station (one of the largest Tokyo commuter towns) Grillno is a small and cozy, 26 seat restaurant with, run by one of my old good friends.

Since starting his career as a chef, I have been supporting him with the planning of  his restaurants (and enjoying eating what he cooks, of course!)

As Grillno is a restaurant specialized in smoked and grilled dishes, we began by planning an open kitchen and a long concrete counter around the kitchen so that people could enjoy watching the chef cooking while eating. Together with the counter, we designed a long suspended light made of steel to illuminate the dining area evenly.

We believe that good restaurants can welcome people in many situations - whether you come by yourself, with your friends/family or for your night out. 

To make the most out of the space as possible, we planned different types of seating arrangement:  A long counter table with a rounded end so that 3-4 people can sit around, some tables for two or four, and a sofa seat.

With a few rough materials, worked expertly by craftsman, we tried to achieve a relaxing atmosphere with moments of tension to match the food and hospitality.

When Grillno opened in September 2020, I really felt it was not an easy decision to open due to the COVID-19 situation. 

Believing that restaurants which offer good cuisine with a comfortable interior can survive this difficult time, we wish this lovely restaurant all the best.