This ‘gastro-cantina’ is located in the old Apertivo space on 30th Street in North Park. There is a rough, yet sexy and modern quality to the space that features an internally lit front entrance wall that is constructed of recycled poly-carbonate panels and the ceiling joists that were removed from the existing ceiling. El Take It Easy’s dining room features a wandering concrete bar evoking the remnants of the original storefront facade, which are still extant in front of the building. The bar juts through the space at differing heights and angles, promoting conversation between patrons, as every bar seat either faces another patron or is angled in a way that allows for easy conversation. The dropped ceiling and plaster walls were removed to expose the structure of the building and expose the original 1950’s brickwork, making the dining room come alive. As a whole, the project celebrates using hand crafted, imperfect materials to create a comfortable, yet upscale space.
