Capturing the Jazz, Wine & Flavor in a Website
I dined at RedWhite+Bluezz often, savoring the rich flavors of the food, the smooth jazz filling the space, and the deep, oaky aroma of wine. It was a place that stayed with you—long after the last bite, long after the music faded, long after I moved away from Pasadena. Even now, the memories of those meals and moments linger.
When the owners needed a dynamic website, they weren’t just looking for an online menu—they needed a digital extension of the restaurant’s soul. The site had to capture the atmosphere, highlight seasonal promotions, and allow effortless updates for their ever-changing menu and special events.
The Challenge & Process
- Seamless Brand Integration – The branding designer set the tone with the logo, stationery, and menu design. My role was to bring everything together into a cohesive, interactive digital space that felt as immersive as the restaurant itself.
- Effortless Content Updates – With seasonal promotions, rotating jazz lineups, and an evolving menu, the website needed a custom content management system (CMS) that allowed for easy updates without technical complexity.
- Showcasing the Experience – How do you translate the rhythm of live jazz, the depth of wine pairings, and the warmth of a grill-forward menu into pixels? The website had to go beyond being an information hub—it had to evoke the energy and soul of the restaurant.
The Solutions
- A Visual Feast – The design featured bold imagery, layered textures, and a warm yet sophisticated color paletteto mirror the restaurant’s ambiance. Each page was curated with unique photography and layouts, ensuring an engaging and immersive experience.
- A Custom-Built CMS (Pre-WordPress Era) – No rigid templates here. I built a flexible, intuitive content management system that empowered the restaurant team to update menus, promotions, and events effortlessly, keeping the site as dynamic as the business itself.
- Event-Driven Design – A dedicated event calendar showcased live jazz performances, seasonal wine pairings, and chef’s table experiences, making it easy for guests to stay engaged.
Final Thoughts
This project was a conversation between disciplines—branding, web design, and the artistry of hospitality itself. While the branding designer laid the foundation with visual identity, I translated that into an interactive, living digital spacethat preserved the experience of RedWhite+Bluezz.
But this wasn’t just about building a website—it was about capturing a feeling. One that lingered long after the last sip of wine, the final notes of a jazz set, or even years after moving away.
