Le Cirque 2000, Jean Georges, Spago and Aureole at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas—last year’s James Beard Award nominee for Restaurant Design—have more in common than just being great restaurants. They are all restaurants imagined and created by ADAM D. TIHANY—global restaurant design bodhisattva, restaurateur and “God-is-in-the-details” designer of all that is hospitable. You can sit down to a meal at many fine-dining restaurants around the world and every element you come in contact with—lighting, carpets, napkins, plates, silverware and the chair you’re sitting on—have been imagined by the perfectionist mind of Tihany. It seems he does everything to create your experience except cook the food…so far.

How do restaurant clients compare to other clients?
Like any other client, they are smart, opinionated, knowledgeable and insecure.

What colors are best for the appetite?
Food looks best in warm light.

What colors should restaurants never choose?
Color is not the issue. Lighting is. Warm lighting can compensate for cold colors. Do not use fluorescents.

What is your favorite material?
Luxurious materials, hand-finished.

What is the most common design mistake restaurateurs make?
Not hiring a professional.

What current trends would you encourage restaurateurs to embrace?
I do not like “trends.” Restaurants should be a strong and gutsy portrait of their owners.

Which should they stay away from?
Trends.

Any guilty indulgences?
I smoke good cigars and enjoy single malt scotch. I feel no guilt whatsoever, only sorry for the people who do.

What is the most romantic restaurant you’ve been in?
The rooftop private dining table for two set for my wife and myself each time we go to Las Ventanas Del Paradiso in Cabo San Lukas, Mexico.

If Sirio Maccioni is a “ringmaster” at Le Cirque 2000, what role did you create for Lydia Shire to play at Excelsior in Boston?
Lydia is the most creative, stylish, warm and funny person I know. I will have to call her the “Sorcerer Queen.” Excelsior highlights her qualities.

What was your rank in the Israeli Army?
No comment.

The Rolling Stones or the Beatles?
Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.

Form or Function?
No struggle with my restaurants. Everyone wins.