Design Sleuth: DBGB Thonet Bistro Chair & Copper Pots

I stopped in recently to check out the new Daniel Boulud restaurant DBGB Kitchen and Bar. I was curious to see what high-end dining looks like on today’s Bowery—not surprisingly, it’s nothing like the Bowery of CBGB, the infamous and now-shuttered club that inspired the name. DBGB features a lofty dining room with freestanding upholstered booths; the space is defined by walls of open shelves displaying a collection of well-worn copper pots and pans from venerable contemporary chefs such as Alice Waters, Thomas Keller, and Jean-George Vongerichten, along with wine and dry goods. It all adds up to a comfortable, modern bistro feel; a couple of sourcing ideas follow.

Above: The bentwood Madeleine Cafe Chair, similar to the Thonet style bentwood chairs used at DBGB, is currently on special at Restoration Hardware for $99 (down from $129) and is available in three finishes—brown oak, burnt oak, or weathered oak—with a hand-caned seat. A set of six Madeleine Cafe Chairs is $579 (down from $729).

Above: For copper cookware similar to what the professionals use, try Mauviel from France. A Mauviel Copper 5-Piece Set is currently available for $724.95 at Williams Sonoma; alternatively, build a collection one piece at a time, starting with a 2-Quart Mauviel Saucepan for $240 (it will last a lifetime).