For this project we were tasked with restoring an old wholesale meat warehouse into a stylish new restaurant. Paying homage to its long family history we kept many of the industrial aspects while giving it a new luxury feel. We partnered with our client to also create a high end Butcher Shop and display for customers to not only enjoy during dinner but to also learn about the cuts of meat they are consuming. With its previous programming as a warehouse it was important we focused initially on making it operable as a hospitality space.

The Butcher’s Block has a rich history in the Jersey Shore area. Known by prior names Mid- Atlantic Beef in it’s formation, to D’Ambrisi Wholesale, The Butcher’s Block started as a whole animal butchery wholesale distribution center owned and ran by Rudy D’ Ambrisi, the father of Thomas D’Ambrisi. Thomas is the current owner and operator of The Butcher’s Block and new whole sale distribution Block Ops Wholesale.

The small make-shift restaurant portion of the then wholesaler started right before the pandemic and immediately blew up in the surrounding area. Thomas, now two years into running the business, reached out to us after completing some design work in his new home. He was extremely eager because he felt we would be able to understand and articulate his vision. When we were approached to do this project the main focus was to keep the original vibe of the building as a whole. It had already gotten a lot of attention in the area and “It feels like a family reunion every time people come to eat with us.” The space was tight and dimly lit to create the ultimate intimate experience. Although we definitely wanted to lean into certain existing elements, it was important to bring a new boutique- like feel to the space.