Chaak

Chaak, meaning rain god in Mayan, is a Mexican restaurant that features the tastes and sights of the Yucatan peninsula. Deeply rooted in Mayan culture, the Yucatan region is influenced by its tropical climate, and borrows culinary spices and techniques from the nearby Caribbean and from the distant Mediterranean.

Our piece of the project included strategy, brand identity, collateral, and consulting on the interior of the physical dining space and experience.

The intrigue of Mayan hieroglyphics was our guide in developing the brand identity. We created our own hieroglyphs not only for Chaak’s primary mark, but also for various elements of the restaurant’s culture.

Warm, stone and stucco walls, deep indigo blues and dark browns are the characteristic textures and colors of the restaurant. The space breathes the spirit of the Yucatan without becoming a themed restaurant. Its open ceiling as its principal centerpiece counteracts the weight of the steel beams and heavy stonework.