Restaurant Interiors

We live in a design-saturated universe. From Karim Rashid-designed hotels to Michael Graves imprinted tea kettles, our lives are now dictated by levels of aesthetic pleasure. Restaurants owners have taken heed and imbued dining rooms with an attention to detail that goes beyond checkered tablecloths and wire bread baskets. The following restaurants have been chosen for their unique interior design, a place where the food is good, but the environment is also worth consuming.

Blue Door at the Delano. The grand dame of South Beach has only improved with age. Philippe Starck designed the iconic hotel and its French restaurant ten years ago with both subtle and grand touches that were mimicked many times over by lounges around the world. Yes those floor-to-ceiling white drapes, Alice in Wonderland-esque armchairs and lacquered Venetian chandeliers still evoke romance, fairytales and decadence. 1685 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, 33139 305-674-6400

Ishq. Miami may be miles away from Mumbai but the Indian restaurant Ishq brings Bollywood a little bit closer to home. Two magnificent tandor ovens hold court in the rear of the dining room while purple fabrics, brush gold and Semi-precious stone inlays of lapis, corelenian, malachite and eblony power shell adorn the bar and drink rails. The tables are made of hand-picked marble slabs from India and there's a there's a 14-person “community table” in the center of the room. 530 Ocean Dr. Miami Beach, 33139. (305) 532-4747

Cafe Maurice. This spot has so much character it's hard not to be won over by its undeniably French feel. For half the price of most Miami eateries you get double the atmosphere as entering the cafe you feel you have stepped into a little slice of Paris. Every bit of the deep red wall space is taken up by framed vintage photographs and posters of old French movies and French phrases painted graffiti-style throughout. Boudoir-patterned banquettes lined the walls and 60's French rock envelopes the room. Lighting comes courtesy of mini-Tiffany-style lamps and candles. The piece de resistance is the swirly mural of the Eiffel Tower, complete with a popped bottle of Pierre Jouet champagne. 419 Washington Avenue. Miami Beach 33139. (305) 674-1277