Cassis, a new restaurant from James Beard Award-nominated chefs Kyle and Meghan Knall, draws its name and spirit from a historic port town in the Provence region.
The couple, both alumni of Union Square Hospitality Group and known for their New York Times-recognized restaurant Birch, set out to reimagine the classic French bistro using Midwestern ingredients.
Layered interiors Cassis
Locally based Dan Beyer Architects served as lead architect, while Chicago multidisciplinary studio Kuchar led interior design of the 179-seat Milwaukee restaurant.
The dining room reads like a wine cave rendered in warm neutrals. A curved gray plaster ceiling and arched wine storage anchor the room, while fan mosaic tile flooring reinforces the lived-in character of a century-old European establishment.
Banquettes upholstered in leather and velvet combine cognac, deep rust, and green. The white marble bar, complete with curved filigree details in the paneling, is designed to feel genuinely timeworn rather than just stylized.
Globe lighting and brass-detail pendants cast a warm glow throughout the space, complemented by royal blue accents, café curtains, antique mirrors, and framed vintage poster artwork.
Bathrooms get the same design treatment
Perhaps the most unexpected highlight of Cassis is its quartet of restrooms, each conceived as a distinct design moment inspired by French landmarks, destinations, or cultural storylines.
The first bathroom features gilded sconces, antique mirrors, and a decadent mural inspired by French museums, set against green pastoral wallcovering. The second channels an eclectic “aunty” aesthetic with cheetah print and framed memorabilia. The third is a red-drenched boudoir with a fringed light fixture and tortoiseshell sconce. The fourth is the standout: custom wallpaper depicts monkeys smoking cigarettes and drinking Cassis-labeled wine, with the occasional piece of lingerie strewn about, a knowing nod to irreverent French charm.
