Located in New York, Upland—a collaborative effort from chef Justin Smillie and restaurateur Stephen Star—serves California-inspired cuisine in an eatery named after the Southern California town where Smillie was born. “The region’s straightforward approach to cooking, as well as its produce, continues to inspire me today,” says Smillie. “Upland is the restaurant I’ve always dreamed of opening.”

Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch, principals of New York-based Roman and Williams, designed the space—their first collaboration with Starr Restaurants. Natural wood and leather dominate against a neutral color palette punctuated with forest green and honey tones. The walls are clad in cream-colored wood paneling arranged both vertically and horizontally.

In reference to traditional cookery, copper detailing appears in the space. “Our goal when designing Upland was to create a warm and inviting space which reflects Justin’s simple and authentic approach to Californian cuisine,” explains Standefer. “Drawing on the restaurant’s location in Manhattan, we chose to feature pieces that create a sophisticated yet intimately rustic environment.”

Surrounded by custom black leather upholstered stools with more copper detailing, the bar is centrally located in the main dining area. A copper scaffold reflects light emitted by glowing bottles and softly lit wall sconces.

A combination of honey-colored natural oak, glossy wood, and patinaed copper mark the main dining room, in which soft forest green leather banquettes are arranged in intimate groupings. Custom green blown glass fixtures are suspended from copper chains.

In the back of the room, the focal point is a large copper and oak shelving unit stacked with a collection of wines and preserved lemons and artichokes.