94
the World Of Hospitality
Aloha Espresso Bar
Aloha Espresso Bar:
Café for the New Flavors
and History Buffs
A new hot spot in the Old Montreal, Aloha Espresso
Bar brings together Hawaiian specialties in a decor
where candor and roughness are “fixed up” happily.
Behind the grey cut stone of an old warehouse store
(1869), in the Old Montreal, the most recent Aloha
Espresso Bar café explores through shapes the history
of Hawaii and the spirit of aloha[1] that intangibly
permeates the inhabitants of this rugged terrain
archipelago. Created by the interior design firm Jean
de Lessard - Designers Créatifs, the café has already
been labeled a “tropical paradise” by some Web users.
The accuracy of hue that dares the bold color and the
hodgepodge look has the social networks creating a
buzz and drawing in Montrealers and tourists. The
graphic, even iconographic, approach subtly enhances
products that while they have little in common, both
are great for connoisseurs of superior quality coffee,
the Kona coffee, and Shave ice for the amateurs of
refreshing summer delicacies. New in Montreal, this
Hawaiian specialty of Japanese origin is consisting of
flaky ice “shavings” served with a variety of flavors and
is to be eaten with a spoon.
“It seems to us that people are looking for all things
natural. We gave it shape by devising for the owners,
two Hawaii aficionados, a collective place that would
illustrate the respectful spirit of aloha, by means of a
wooden home-built construction,” explains principal
designer Jean de Lessard, about bringing their design
of space to a human scale, full of meanings and
authenticity.
Plate tectonics and rupestral styling
As discreet as it may be, the design stems from an
in-depth study of the topography, geology and
anthropology of the archipelago. Formed by five main
volcanoes, three of which are still active, Hawaii is in
constant evolution and inexorably drifting towards
Japan, in the northwest axis.
The ceiling and wood beams, the brick and used
painted concrete floor inside were left as they were.
The relationship between the mineral element (brick/
concrete) and the plant element (spruce counter and
shelves) suggests a fragmentation, sometimes due to
tectonic movement, sometimes due to the progression
of the lava through the landscape.
The saturated colors including a dashing cactus green
give room to nature. The custom-made wall-covering
is a reminder of the vintage bright yellow shirt which
were often embellished with hibiscus, the national
flower of Hawaii. Besides, the pretty custom-made
lamps and its lampshades have that flea-market air
about them.