Navy Blue

Navy Blue – a modern American seafood concept by chef/owner Aaron Bludorn – made its home in the heart of Rice Village.

The restaurant name is not only a nod to the ocean but also a homage to Bludorn’s naval aviator father, whose call sign was “Blue.” The 7,100-square-foot space has been completely reimagined. Austin-based Föda Studios, worked in tandem with Courtney Hill Interiors and Gensler to create a design inspired by the idea of an ocean not yet touched by humanity. Upon arrival, guests enter through a covered patio lined with manicured planters that serve as natural borders for the al fresco dining tables straddling both sides of the front entrance on Times Boulevard. Once inside, guests will be greeted by an oversized, oyster-shaped wall built with sandy concrete breeze blocks and a hostess stand conceived as a proverbial pearl before being transported into the 110-seat dining room featuring organic elements in tune with the rawness of nature, resulting in a clean and crisp aesthetic made warm with tones of oak throughout. A series of long tables separated by white oak partitions – or “spines” – will give guests a further feeling of being transported to a favorite oceanside hideaway while remaining in full view of the restaurant. Slender, black ribbed pendants and plush banquettes soften the concrete columns, providing both a chic sense of style and a natural transition to the white-grey Japanese ceramic tile and a striking steel driftwood installation that bring the bar area to life. A flexible private dining room ensconced behind the bar can accommodate up to 40 guests, complete with A/V bells-and-whistles and a mural by Austin artist Emily Eisenhart or be used for overflow capacity when not in use.