Bocadito:
Cookbook &
Menu System
Bocadito is a Cuban restaurant located in Washington, DC. Owned by 3 brothers. Their inspiration for opening their restaurant is their mother, who they refer to as Abuela. Abuela would not give up her recipes, so the brothers had to get together and figure out how to recreate their favorite dishes to be almost like Abuela’s.
Being proud first generation born Americans, they still are very in touch with their Cuban roots and the… colorful… expressions they grew up learning and now are using with their own children. These sayings always bring about a good amount of laughter and family stories, the brothers decided to have these sayings to be a major part of the personality of both their cookbook and restaurant in order to share their family with the people who come and taste their food.
The illustration style used is loose and sketchy to resemble thought bubbles and take inspiration from the Cuban Art style. The inspiration for the layout of the cookbook was of a scrapbook. The use of textures and imperfect photography helps give a personal touch and a hand crafted feeling. The illustrations alongside the recipes allows the viewer to really feel as though they are a part of the family.
The logo, though in grayscale, shows how the word “bocadito” is broken up phonetically.
When it comes to the menu system and to-go items, the illustrations continue as well as the hand lettering. The binding offers another handmade touch which ties us back to the feeling like we are truly entering this family’s home for a meal. The menu offers a variety of Cuban traditional dishes as well as a couple of familiar items to those trying Cuban cuisine for the first time.