In Episode 8 of Surroundscapes Season 6, host Graeme Harrison visits L’Echelle Bistro, a new 60-seat French-inspired neighborhood restaurant in Portland, to talk with owner Luke Dirks about the role of sound in shaping the dining experience.
Part of a larger multi-use complex that includes an ice cream shop, private dining room, event space, and garden, L’Echelle relies on Bluesound Professional equipment to deliver flexible, zone-specific audio. Using products like the BSP200, BSP500, BSP1000, and B100S player, the system allows each space to run its own playlist while also linking together for special events.
For Luke, music is more than background—it’s central to the restaurant’s identity. By working with a local curator, he ensures playlists match the time of day, the mood of the room, and the experience he wants to create for guests. The ability to control audio across multiple areas means each space—from the prep kitchen to the outdoor garden—can reflect its own character while still being part of a cohesive whole.
The conversation also touches on acoustics, a challenge in the main dining room where Luke is working with engineers to fine-tune treatments and create the right balance between presence and comfort. Whether it’s spinning vinyl in the custard shop or syncing every zone for a block party, sound has become an integral part of how the complex connects with guests and builds community.
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