This is the first in regular series where we attempt to help you get the look and feel of some of our favorite restaurants/shops/bars/etc. in your own home.
The reason we love Rise No. 1 as much as we do, aside from the all the tasty sweet and savory soufflés, is, in part, due to the memorable, relaxed décor. Rise strives to feel like a maison away from home, and they’ve certainly succeeded in our book, but if you want to keep a little of that special French joie de vivre in your own home, we have a few tips to get the vibe.
We do have a confession to make. One of the reasons we chose to start the “Get the Vibe” series with Rise No. 1 is that it is by far and away the easiest. Pretty much every single thing you see in the restaurant is available for purchase right there in the restaurant. You can even snag a tree from the “Birch Forest” (trust me, I did it).
Founder and Francophile Hedda Dowd has been working with vendors across France for over 20 years helping to cultivate Rise’s charming, authentic atmosphere. Due to the one-of-a-kind nature of the products at Rise, we can’t provide a concrete list of what you’ll be able to buy and for how much, but from French books and girolles (cheese curlers) to glasses made from recycled wine bottles, there are a few things at Rise No. 1 that you’ll consistently be able to find, though they may always look a little different.
One thing you’ll want to keep an eye out for: the torchons (cloths or tea towels). If you’ve stopped by Rise No. 1 recently, you’ll notice torchons hanging throughout the restaurant featuring Dallas scenes like the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge or Rise’s own Marshmallow Soup dish. Torchons are all designed by Hedda herself and range in price from $21 (all cotton) to $25 (cotton and linen).
Another item to covet: the Guillotine Bread Slicer. The blade is imported from France, but the rest of the “guillotine” is crafted on Hedda’s farm. You can own one for $225 but only at Rise will Chef Cherif Brahmi create specially sized baguettes just to fit them.
