Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1506595
J aded. At times we feel that the dreaded pathos has crept into our lives — but now that we've met Mister Charles, our restaurant ennui is gone. What can we say about the new eatery that has taken over the former Highland Park Soda Fountain space, which closed in 2018. Sophisticated and approachable … playful and pretty By Billy Fong. Interior photography Douglas Friedman. Food photography Evan Sung. … decadent and needed (after all, one can never have enough chic supping and watering holes). It's great to see life return to this beloved landmarked building. Mister Charles comes to us from Duro Hospitality (The Charles, Bar Charles, Sister, Café Duro, Casa Duro, El Carlos Elegante), which was founded a mere three Charles in Charge years ago by Benji Homsey, Chas Martin, Corbin See, Ross See, and J Chastain. The new restaurant's n a m e i s a n o t h e r homage to larger- than-life personality Chas Martin. He first lent his name to the original restaurant, The Charles, which became an overnight success in the Design District. Over time the name has morphed into something of a fictional character and was played up further with the opening of El Carlos Elegante, the so-called Latin sibling of The Charles. Mister Charles reminds us of a more cosmopolitan family member who frequents Europe's soigné hotels and r e s t a u r a n t s , a n d lounges where those intimidating velvet ropes belie entrance to the hoi polloi. You've likely heard the chatter of late at cocktail parties: "You've been to Mister Charles? I heard it's booked solid for months." Well, we've been lucky enough to visit twice now. The interiors by Sees Design channel a members-only club in the UK. The bar area on the former soda-fountain side is sizable but not overwhelming — but just look at those 38-foot ceilings as you pass through The grand entrance of Mister Charles Oysters with Green Tomato Mignonette 68