The original Lemon Grass Cafe was a small cozy restaurant considered by many of its patrons to be "the best kept secret of New Orleans." When the restaurant moved to a new, more prestigious location, the owner wanted a flexible space that could maintain the intimacy of the old location and also attract and handle a burgeoning Central Business District lunch clientele.

MC2 Architect's concept for the Lemon Grass Restaurant is a series of walls or panels that open and close to create different dining experiences. The panel system can dramatically change the scale and characteristics of the space, to create a large hall for business lunches and intimate booths for evening dining. In addition to defining the space, the panels also regulate the quality of light and the mood of the space.

The panels along one wall create a series of staggered planes. When they are closed during the day, they act as a series of illuminated murals. When they are opened in the evening, they reveal the beautiful stucco and brick wall of the original structure and form a series of canopies that define individual dining areas. Panels on the opposite wall create a dramatic perspective that terminates at the wine cellar. Those panels can close to form a series of dining booths.

Details that reflect the cuisine and the heritage
The owner/chef describes the cuisine as "fine Vietnamese cooking with a French-kissed influence from the New Orleans culinary tradition." The cuisine and the owner's nostalgia for his homeland resulted in echoes and images of Vietnamese culture entering many design elements. The maître d' stand is inspired by a traditional Vietnamese dress, Ao Dai. The translucent panels resemble the rice papers used in making spring rolls, Goi Cuon. The menu stand mimics the blooming pear branch, Canh Mai, a symbol of good fortune. The bamboo art installation reflects traditional fence construction, Rao tre, said to ward off evil spirits. Finally, the entry screen recalls the coquettish Vietnamese hand fan, Quat Tay.

"Lemon Grass feels like a respite from what we've come to perceive as the CBD: severe buildings, business suits, handshakes. The space is light and refreshing, dreamy and almost fantastic, much like the food."