The culinary scene in downtown Marietta is a hot spot for die-hard foodies. One of the area’s longest tenured restaurants, House of Lu, has been the go-to Chinese restaurant for over 17 years. Focusing on taste and quality, the family-owned business has cultivated a steady, loyal following. Earlier this year, the restaurant unveiled a new look and new menu offerings, proving they truly are taste-makers.
Local interior designer and regular patron Cassandra Buckalew, of Cassandra Buckalew Interiors, began conversations with the owners of House of Lu about creating a new look for the restaurant, a contemporary interpretation that also acknowledged the Lu family’s Chinese and Vietnamese heritage. The family had long wanted to introduce the Vietnamese cuisine to their menu and desired the interior to reflect both cultures. Working to avoid typical Eastern Asian décor previously seen in the space, the goal was to introduce both cultures in a modern, impactful, and memorable way.
The overarching design concept was for the restaurant to have simple shapes and strong geometry with a modern nod to both cultures. The exterior was refaced with modern awnings and a bright red laquered set of doors with custom brass hardware. Inside, dark grey walls were chosen as a grounding, peaceful backdrop amidst bold colors. A reimagined circular bar with an ultra-glossy, red quartz counter creates a welcoming hub in the center of the main room. Large basket pendants bring a natural touch to an otherwise sleek space. With the addition of updated lighting and posh seating, the interior had been transformed. But perhaps the greatest impact was to come from the art installations.
Enter local artist, Marc Noreikas. With a strong graffiti style, the artist’s work seemed the perfect way to create the unexpected in an Asian restaurant. Armed only with paint, brushes, and ideas from collaboration with Buckalew and the Lu family, Noreikas delivered two fantastical scenes, each an impressive 34 feet wide. The larger-than-life murals are the undisputed focal points of the dining room. Vivid reds, blues, yellows, and greens now fill the once lackluster space with a bold, undeniable energy. The mural on the North wall shows a woman soaring with a dragon in her hair, representing the family’s Chinese heritage. On the South wall we look out from under a woman’s umbrella to find boats floating in Halong Bay, representing their Vietnamese heritage. Each is powerful, yet does not overpower the other.
With House of Lu’s multi-Asian heritage reflected in both the exterior and interior spaces, the family introduced Vietnamese dishes to their menu, most notably Bahn Mi (a Vietnamese sandwich that consists of a French baguette served with pâté, mayonnaise, and fillings of cilantro, a wedge of fresh cucumber for crunch, pickled carrots, pickled daikon, jalepenos, and meats) and Pho (a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of a fragrant slow cooked beef broth, linguine-shaped rice noodles, various herbs, and meat). Each of the new menu items has received rave reviews, including those of Food Network star and Marietta resident Alton Brown.
Says the Lu family, “With almost three decades of experience in the restaurant business, we proudly preserve our passion for food with our family’s recipes.” Now, the setting complements the heritage. So belly up to that fabulous bar, order yourself a cocktail, and let the Lu family welcome you to their House, their home.
Photography by Mia McCorkle.