A restaurant opening is a moment of anticipation. There is a new name to discover, a space to explore and a first impression to make. But once the doors are open and the initial excitement settles, a different challenge begins: staying present in people’s minds, week after week.
For Simone, a Flemish restaurant with a fresh perspective on tradition, the work didn’t stop at opening day. From the identity and physical details to the ongoing communication, every touchpoint was designed to give the brand a recognisable character — and keep it that way.
A familiar story, told differently
Some names carry a story before a brand even begins. Simone takes its name from the grandmothers who inspired it, bringing a sense of familiarity and heritage to the restaurant. The identity builds on that foundation, reinterpreting the idea of a traditional Flemish restaurant with confidence, warmth and a distinctly feminine touch.
Rather than looking back nostalgically, the aim was to give tradition a new expression. One that feels familiar without being predictable, and has enough character to stand on its own.
A tangible brand
The identity of a restaurant doesn’t live in a logo alone. It comes to life through the things people see, hold and interact with, both inside and outside the restaurant.
For Simone, that meant translating the visual language into tangible details: burgundy leather menus finished with gold foil, matchboxes to take home, window lettering and façade signage. Each element plays a small role in building the same impression, creating a brand that feels considered beyond the screen.
These physical touchpoints establish the foundation. They make Simone recognisable, giving the communication that follows something concrete to build on.
Simone’s POV
Food and hospitality are visual by nature, and for Simone, photography plays a central role in making the restaurant stand out online. We developed a distinctive visual style that combines direct-flash photography with vintage references, bringing together a sense of immediacy and nostalgia.
The contrast gives the brand its own visual rhythm. It feels lively rather than overly polished, with a character that reflects the identity instead of simply following familiar food-photography conventions.
That consistency matters. Photography becomes more than a collection of appealing images: it becomes part of how people recognise and remember the restaurant.
Keeping the conversation going
The launch creates a first moment of visibility. Maintaining that visibility takes ongoing attention.
Since Simone opened its doors, ALMÉ has managed its communication and Instagram, turning the restaurant’s identity into an ongoing visual story. The feed moves between close-up shots of dishes, overhead compositions, glimpses of the dining room and ambiance as well as candid moments at the table. The result feels varied and full of life, while the recurring details — the vintage silverware, the burgundy accents — keep Simone instantly recognisable.
Creativity plays an important role here. Alongside photography, reels bring Simone’s new dishes into focus through movement, adding yet another layer to the way the restaurant presents its food. Each format offers a different perspective, giving the content room to surprise without losing sight of the brand’s character.
The aim here is not to “simply keep posting”, but to keep finding fresh ways to tell Simone’s story. By combining a recognisable visual language with a steady flow of creative content, ALMÉ helps the restaurant stay present in people’s minds long after the opening excitement has passed.
Built to be remembered
A successful opening can introduce a restaurant to the world. What follows determines how it stays in people’s minds.
For Simone, the identity, physical touchpoints, visual production and ongoing online presence are all part of the same story. Each has a different role, but they work best when they reinforce one another. The result is a brand that doesn’t rely on a single moment of attention, but continues to show up with clarity and character.
Because keeping a restaurant visible is not about grabbing attention just once. It’s about building recognition through a consistent identity: from the space and physical details to photography and everyday communication. When all elements come together, they give the restaurant a recognisable character that leaves a lasting impression.