The Chop House's Smoke Free Environment
It is the mix of the two opposing preferences that was addressed in The Chop House/La Dolce Vita project in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Long-time client Michael Gibbons, President of Mainstreet Ventures, approached us to develop an existing retail space. On street level was to be a first-class steakhouse along with an adjacent cocktail/wine/coffee/dessert space. On the lower level would be a cigar cellar and small private dining room.

We fashioned a grand, entirely open stairway connecting the two levels. Our challenge was to prevent smoke and odors from leaving the cellar and influencing the dining area above.

Here is the result. A separate HVAC unit was installed with supply air surrounding the opening, therefore creating an "air curtain" that also pushed air toward return air grills. These grills were strategically located to take the smoke through the filtering system in order to prevent recirculating odors through the operations.

The result is a great success. Walls lined with fine oil paintings and Louis Icart prints and a cellar full of artwork and personality, The Chop House/La Dolce Vita offers a most delightful and excellent dining experience that is entirely unaffected by the busy cigar cellar.

Terry Flaig, President
Design Lines

Design Lines is a full service design layout/development/equiment/furnishings firm out of Cincinnati, Ohio. We are priveleged to have worked exclusively in the foodservice industry for over 30 years, designing many fine restaurants for our clients. Not only have we worked with reduced tolerance to smoke, but the popular pastime of cigar smoking.