Despite Its Large Scale, Cassia Feels Intimate Thanks to Cozy Details

It goes without saying that a warehouse-sized property with an abundance of concrete probably wouldn't be described as "intimate." But at Cassia, a Southeast Asian restaurant based in Santa Monica, intimacy is actually achieved with the help of space. The 5,000-square-foot location was designed by Montalba Architects as a series of semi-private rooms that share sleek mid-century and industrial touches. Take, for instance, the two separate bars — yes, one for drinks and another for seafood — that use the height of the walls for dramatic open shelving and oversized windows for large swaths of light. Despite the scale of both options, pendant lights stretch down to just above the marble counters, and plenty of seats invite guests to gather together. Even a long communal table, which gets its lighting from repurposed bird cages, manages to feel like it's inside a home kitchen thanks to an antique steel hood nearby. These details make the restaurant feel cozy, even when it's filled with strangers.