The new sushi concept Rosella has opened in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan. Designed by locally based Anna Polonsky of Polonsky & Friends, the restaurant exemplifies a reinterpretation of traditional Japanese design principles and aims to celebrate craftsmanship and the art of sushi making through a palette of raw and imperfect materials.
Drawing inspiration from tatami rooms (which serve as study, living, or sleeping rooms in Japanese culture), stretched canvas in a tranquil blue hue adorns both the walls and ceilings. Canvas was used in place of rice straw panels for enhanced acoustic support and added texture. The material’s blue shade is complemented by the raw and monochromatic appearance of Mexican cement tiles, and additional custom ceramics and light fixtures further showcase the natural colorways of clay.
In addition to Brazilian tiger wood flooring, wood elements like custom honey teak stool seating and an American cherry-clad bar face characterize the restaurant interior. A handsome slab of London planetree displays dramatic graining and imperfections on the bartop as well. Bathrooms further employ the natural aesthetic with wainscotting and cherry-stained plywood walls, while a custom wallpaper depicting the Rosella parrot illustrated by artist Hollie Kelley enlivens the space.
