El Oso

Project : branding / operations
Role : designer / fabricator
Details : packaging, signage, interiors, marketing, art installation

El Oso, named for chef Jonathan Zaragoza’s childhood nickname, is Mexican food the way you always dreamt it could be. The food, the brand, and the interiors, represent the chef’s personal travels through Mexico. Bringing in colors inspired by Mérida paired with moles inspired by his family recipes, El Oso was a joy to create and to consume.

This restaurant pop-up was short-lived but well-loved. Starting and ending in the span of 6 months in 2020 when restaurants struggled to answer the ever-changing needs of pandemic dining. Nonetheless, the dyed fabric sculpture, custom magnetic menu board, and private dining room were all handcrafted to transform the space into a unique El Oso dining experience.