SAN DIEGO—By providing hotel amenities that enhance the dining experience and make the environment memorable, patrons are enticed to return even if they're not staying at the hotel, Ware Malcomb principal Tiffany English tells GlobeSt.com. As we recently reported, the architectural and design firm recently completed the new restaurant, bar and lounge area of the Kimpton Hotel Palomar, located at 1047 5^th Ave. in Downtown San Diego, as architect of record for the project, in addition to providing brand-enhancing graphics for the interior and exterior design.

The project involved the two-story renovation of the restaurant and bar on the first floor of the Hotel Palomar, as well as an open space designed for a combination of private dining, a game room and a lounge area on the second-floor mezzanine level. The hotel's new restaurant concept, named Curadero, serves Mexican street food in a casual atmosphere, while the second-floor Arriba Room features a late-night taco window, vintage arcade games, foosball, shuffleboard, and other activities. Mexican-themed artwork and design are woven throughout the space.

The project was a collaboration with Studio Unltd, an interior designer based in Los Angeles. The general contractor for the project was RSM2, and JLL was the owner's representative and project manager on behalf of the hotel.