The new Café Rockenwagner puts everything on display behind an expanse of glass on busy Wilshire Boulevard. 

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden

The diversity and openness creates a lively rhythm throughout, enhanced by the dark wood over and below the counter.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden

There’s a stammtisch of white oak with boxy stools, and a long eating counter with high stools.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden

Carpentry is a hobby for Rokenwagner, so he decided to build the bar himself, and his trademark orange shows up in the plastic seated chairs.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden

A louvered screen of rice-husk-based synthetic wood shades diners from summer sun while admitting winter rays.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden

Cone-shaped concrete light shades are suspended over the counter.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden

Carpentry is a hobby for Rokenwagner, so he decided to build the bar himself, and his trademark orange shows up in the plastic seated chairs.

Photography by Elizabeth Daniels and John Linden