Diner Antonette

Frederick Fisher & Partners was honored to join LGO Hospitality in breathing new life into a Santa Monica landmark as Diner Antonette. Originally home to Callahan’s Diner and Vienna Pastry, the 1940s building has a classic streamline moderne design and post-war architectural facade. Over time, layers of change obscured many of the building’s signature features, but LGO Hospitality saw its potential, acquiring the building and guiding it toward landmark status.

A striking neon marquee and restored facade greet visitors; inside, soft neutral tones, sleek black leather, and preserved terrazzo floors set a tone of refined comfort. The project is a love letter to a specific California diner aesthetic, restoring dignity to the diner’s architecture, and delivering a modern American bistro that feels timeless.

The design team peeled back alterations to expose the building’s original bow truss ceiling, exposed mezzanines, and its generous original volume. Rooted in Art Deco and theatrical inspiration the new design allows for natural California light, warm materials, and local hospitality to shine through.

Acting as informal advisors during the building’s earlier iteration as Ingo’s Tasty Diner, FF&P led the rebrand and adjacency expansion: converting the neighboring bakery into a unified retail wine shop, boutique, and a back-patio gathering place.