Where Palate Meets Palette

At Western Addition restaurants, the art on the walls is as much of a draw as the food on the plate. 

“At Bobbie’s Airway Grill in Dallas we have a series of David Shrigley works along the back wall, over the booths, and some guests have their favorites,” Founder, CEO and Chief Culinary Officer Robert Quick explained. “I’ve overheard guests say ‘Oh! We get to sit in the “Peaches” booth tonight?’ Watching people discover and appreciate the art as much as the food is one of my favorite things. For some guests, the art might fade into the background, but for others it’s a highlight. They notice it, connect with it and it becomes part of their experience.”

Across Bobbie's, il Bracco Dallas, il Bracco Houston, and Balboa Surf Club guests encounter more than $400,000 in original works and limited-edition prints from artists including Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, Agnes Martin, Wayne Thiebaud and Robert Rauschenberg 

The installations come from the personal collection of Quick and his wife, Mary Lucille Quick, the company’s vice president of design. Instead of relying on decorative prints, the Quicks incorporate pieces they have collected over many years, selecting works that align with each restaurant’s architecture, tone and menu style. The pair wanted to showcase their love of art and share their collection with others. 

“Her philosophy is that ‘art should be collected for what it is, not how it decorates.’ She’s taught me so much. We began collecting art long before we began opening restaurants – so there was never an option to hang “decor art” on the walls. It was always going to be the good stuff.”

Each restaurant features a selection of works that reinforce the concept.

• il Bracco Dallas includes works such as John Baldessari’s Numbered Legs and Wayne Thiebaud’s Eyeglasses, adding a modern, refined feel to the Italian concept.

• Bobbie’s Airway Grill features bold, graphic pieces including Roy Lichtenstein’s Sandwich and Soda.

•  il Bracco Houston houses works by Calder, Alex Katz and Gene Davis, chosen to support the restaurant’s clean, contemporary design.

• Balboa Surf Club pairs its seafood-centric menu with pieces such as Frank Stella’s Del Mar and an antique whaling map to subtly reference coastal themes.

Founded in 2018, Western Addition is making its first national expansion with the upcoming opening of il Bracco in Scottsdale, Ariz. in early 2026.

“When we’re designing a restaurant and curating the art, we want pieces that quietly refer to the cuisine, the locale, or the feeling of the restaurant,” said Quick, “But not in a literal way. So, for an Italian concept, we might include a few works by Italian artists.The goal is for the space to feel lived in, like you’ve stepped into someone’s home with really great taste.”

The pair collects from all over: fairs, galleries, auctions, and over time.

“We’ve curated a collection that really speaks to us. Some of the pieces have even influenced design decisions in the new space. The process is more instinctive than formulaic. It’s all about the feeling or vibe a piece gives off. We’re always looking for new pieces; Sometimes we see something and say ‘That one! For that space!’ And sometimes we just know we need the piece, and we’ll find it the right space.”

Quick admitted there can be operational challenges of ensuring the artwork is safe in the space. 

“It’s definitely tricky, especially when tomato sauce is on the menu!  We often lean toward works on paper, because they can be framed under glass. Paintings can be harder; they usually need protection behind plexiglass in high traffic areas which can take away from the piece. There is definitely a balance between preserving the art and letting it live in the space. If a piece isn’t working in the space, or if we’re seeing a risk to the art, we’ll swap it out for a new piece we know can be properly protected.”

Front of House teams learn about the story of each piece so when  a guest asks, their server, manager, or greeter is able to provide information on the work. But the goal isn’t just to prepare for guest questions, Quick said he hopes that education trickles down into a personal appreciation and respect for the art itself. 

“As a company we dedicate a lot of time and resources toward the continuing education of all of our teams, whether its service, wine, culinary skills or art and decor.”

The artwork has been a great conversation starter and relationship builder. Response from other art enthusiasts prompted the creation of the Western Addition Art Gallery on the 

group’s website, where the full collection is displayed. Quick said guests can find a piece they love at another location, or even discover something they hadn't noticed before at their favorite restaurant.

“When we opened the first il Bracco, we chose the art mostly for ourselves,” Quick said. “It’s our design aesthetic and what we loved. One of the best surprises was how many art lovers we’ve met along the way. People come in, fall in love with the space and start asking questions about the art. Sometimes they even recognize the artist and get excited in that way.”

Top photo: David Shrigley's "Untitled" 2023 at Bobbie's Airway Grill

Photo by Kevin Todora