CRÈME DESIGNS LATEST VENTURE FROM MICHELIN STAR CHEF LAURENT TOURONDEL
Brooklyn Design Firm Transforms 15,000-Square Foot Space within The Shops at Riverside into Sleek, Vibrant American Brasserie for Michelin Star Chef

| Brooklyn, NY - May 11, 2021 | Continuing a long term collaboration, CRÈME joins forces with renowned Michelin star chef Laurent Tourondel to design LT Bar & Grill. The restaurant’s American fare with a global twist features an inventive sushi menu and handcrafted cocktails alongside ultra-modern interpretations of traditional steakhouse offerings. This marks the studio’s fifth collaboration with Tourondel, having previously designed two LT-branded venues in addition to Manhattan’s The Vine and L’Amico, the latter for which CRÈME was awarded the 2016 Prix Versailles Special Prize for Interiors. 

With the goal of reimagining the traditional steakhouse atmosphere, CRÈME’s design includes a hint of the firm’s signature Japanese sensibility and emphasizes meticulous woodworking, as well as thoughtful details, such as custom integrated light fixtures and distinctive vertical tiling along columns. CRÈME’s innovative use of materials pairs organic textures with luxe metallic finishes, resulting in a space that is vibrant, fresh, and imbued with casual elegance.

“We are honored to have had the opportunity to work again with Chef Tourondel, and embrace the occasion to take a stylistically airy approach to a traditionally conservative environment,” says designer Jun Aizaki, Founder and Principal of CRÈME. He continues, “The Chef always brings a global perspective to his work. We wanted to reflect that and create a space that projects the same openness and warmth by using a diverse blend of materials and architectural details.”

Laurent Tourondel, a preeminent Michelin Star chef and well-respected visionary in the restaurant industry, explains, “The interior design and ambiance of each of our restaurants are as original and artistic as each of the menus. LT Bar & Grill is an everyday restaurant, and the intention was to create a relaxed ambiance that is modern with contemporary geometrics, warm colors with the beam of natural light resulting in understated glamour.”

To create an environment that felt distinct and welcoming within the large, multi-level space, CRÈME chose earthy, Mediterranean-inflected materials like copper, wood, and ceramic to reference the interaction between nature’s elements. Custom light fixtures created with Viso provide ambient illumination for diners on the ground floor, while acting as architectural spotlights for the carefully curated art and objects which mingle throughout to create a backdrop that is decidedly upscale, yet understated. There is a subtly integrated theme amongst the pieces—abstract landscapes and elements of human figures are incorporated in a variety of media, leading patrons on an urban and architectural journey that is memorable and welcoming.  

Food remains the focus in the dramatic show kitchen; guests can observe from plush channel tufted banquettes, which have been arranged around a preserved tree to evoke the feeling of an intimate interior courtyard that anchors the space and draws the eye upwards. As guests ascend to the second floor, they will encounter vertically stacked antique mirrors that create a captivating infinity effect. A custom copper-accented wallcovering by Olivia and Poppy gently gleams against white oak panelling, echoing the vibrant, organic palette of the surrounding materials and furnishings. 

LT Bar & Grill opens as part of the third and final phase of the multi-million dollar luxury makeover of The Shops at Riverside. 

About CRÈME
CRÈME is a collaboration of dynamic, international designers and creative professionals, founded by Jun Aizaki in 2004. With a multidisciplinary background in the design field, Aizaki and his team of talented designers work globally on a range of projects including furniture design, branding, restaurants, hotels and retail stores. CRÈME prides itself in approaching all projects from the large scale of the district or block to the intimate scale of furniture and detail with the same curiosity, focus and enthusiasm. Based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the firm surrounds itself with both a local and global array of cultural influences and resources. By maintaining great relationships with local fabricators and artisans, CRÈME ensures a thorough, hands-on approach for all built elements. The goal is to meet the needs of each client and create successful and lasting spaces. CRÈME has been featured in Architect’s Newspaper, Metropolis, Dwell, BOB, Kinfolk, New York Magazine, Arrive, Food and Wine, Attitude, Elle Décor, Hospitality Design and beyond.

About LT Bar & Grill
Preeminent Michelin Star Chef and Restaurateur Laurent Tourondel, LT, introduces his innovative culinary architectural skills to New Jersey. LT Bar & Grill’s menu offerings is a new take on the traditional American cuisine, featuring innovative salads, dry aged steaks, fresh seafood, indulgent sides and decadent desserts. Adding to LT’s allure is a first-rate innovative Sushi menu. Experience handcrafted cocktails prepared by skilled mixologists. Guests will enjoy beers from around the world and an extensive wine list. LT Bar & Grill boasts 15,000-square-ft. between two floors, with LT Above, 8,000 sq. ft. of adaptable event space that can accommodate up to 250 people. Serving:  Lunch, Brunch, Dinner + Happy Hour. Monday – Thursday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.| Friday + Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.| Sunday 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. with Brunch 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. LT Bar & Grill| The Shops at Riverside|390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 551.287.6333 For reservations visit LTBarandGrill.com, @ltbarandgrill and @LTabove_  and  www.laurent-tourondel.com For more information or to schedule an event call 551.287.6333

About LT Above
LT Above, is New Jersey’s distinguished event destination, 8,000 sq. ft. of adaptable event space that can accommodate up to 250 people. With end-to-end production, superb client service and unparalleled culinary expertise, this SoHo-chic, cosmopolitan venue is the go-to location for countless celebrations. From birthday parties to rehearsal dinners, cocktail receptions, weddings, bar mitzvahs, bridal showers, private dinner parties, charity events and more. For more information, please visit www.LTAbove.com or contact Julie@lthm.nyc LT Above| The Shops at Riverside|390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey 551.287.6333 visit LtAbove.com or  @LTabove

About Chef Laurent Tourondel
A native of France, Chef Laurent Tourondel, LT, parlayed his love of food at an early age into a four-year program at Saint Vincent Ecole de Cuisine in Montlucon, France, where he earned a certificat d'aptitude professionnelle. He then worked for notable chefs Jacques Maximin at Restaurant Ledoyen in France and at Restaurant Mercury at the Hotel InterContinental in Moscow. Tourondel then moved on to the three-star Michelin Relais & Chateaux Troisgros’ before taking a post as Executive Chef of Potel & Chabot catering in New York City. He held Executive Chef stints at Palace Court Restaurant at the world-famous Caesar's Palace Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas and the impressive Cello in New York City.

Tourondel is a well-respected visionary in the restaurant industry. He went on to open BLT Steak, a steakhouse concept with locations in New York City, Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Scottsdale, Los Angeles, Dallas, White Plains and Washington, D.C. Additionally, he opened BLT Fish New York, where he received 3-star reviews from Frank Bruni in The New York Times and one Michelin Star. Further locations included BLT Prime New York, BLT Burger New York, Vegas, Hong Kong, BLT Market New York, LT Burger in the Harbor and Bryant Park, BLT American Brasserie in Chicago, LT Signature and Arlington Club, Brklyn Bere Garden in JFK Airport, LT Signature in Panama, LT Bar & Grill and a Private Club named Seven in Almaty, Kazakhstan. 

Bon Appétit magazine named Tourondel Restaurateur of the Year which guaranteed his place among the top in the culinary world. Tourondel has published three cookbooks, Go Fish: Fresh Ideas for American Seafood (J. Wiley & Sons, 2004), Bistro Laurent Tourondel: New American Bistro Cooking (J. Wiley & Sons, 2007), which earned him a 2008 James Beard Foundation Award nomination and Fresh from the Market: Seasonal Cooking with Laurent Tourondel, (J. Wiley & Sons, 2010). For more information visit www.laurent-tourondel.com

About LTH Hospitality
LTH (Laurent Tourondel Hospitality) is a premier restaurant group with six establishments in their portfolio. The restaurants are architecturally modern and sophisticated but always casual and approachable for everyone to experience.  Their food and beverage venues are known throughout the world for their consistency of using only the freshest ingredients to prepare their innovative diverse menus. LTH’s philosophy is to recreate sophisticated dishes with an international twist combining influences and distinct flavors from around the world inclusive of the places where Laurent Tourondel lived and immersed himself in the culinary culture of South America, Asia and Africa. Tourondel created his culinary empire in 1992 in New York City. The LTH portfolio includes: L’Amico|The Vine| Scusi Trattoria in Palm Beach| LT Bar & Grill in New Jersey| Sag Pizza| BLT Steak in Charlotte| For more information visit laurent-tourondel.com.