Together, Amy Morris and Anna Polonsky run The MP Shift, a concept, design, and branding studio based in New York. Specializing in hospitality and lifestyle, the duo is the force behind some of New York’s dreamiest restaurants and all-day cafes, including Lalito, Kish-Kash, Otway, and the since-closed De Maria, for which they received the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design in 2018.

Given their recent achievements, it may come as no surprise that Amy and Anna are expanding, with major projects throughout the U.S. and in Europe, brand new digs in Brooklyn, and a growing staff.

We visited Amy and Anna at the office one recent sunny, December morning to talk growth, projects, partnership, and food — including the low-down on the best restaurants to visit in New York right now.

Photographed by Erika Long

How did the idea for The MP Shift develop? I’d love to know more about how it all got started.

[We] both had a foot in marketing strategy and design. Amy was a creative director and brand strategist for major media brands — from Condé Nast to Richard Branson to 1stDibs — and also had an interior design business in parallel. Anna was a partner in Le Fooding, the France-born disruptive food media and events company, and was working with international chefs and brands like LVMH and San Pellegrino, helping with brand strategy and creative direction.

As we were both focused on new professional adventures, looking to engage on projects that inspired us and allowed us to be more creative, we realized our experience, skills, and centers of interest were so complementary that we could create the first 360-degrees agency in hospitality — from concept to launch, graphics to interiors.

We have both found that when you ask a chef or restaurant owner to tell you about their brand, it's usually just a seed (“latin food,” “wine spot”) and rarely fully formed. We realized there was a real need for a holistic and rational approach to developing that seed of an idea, as it impacts all aspects of business. Regardless of the client’s primary need — interior design, website, marketing strategy — we always start by refining their concept and messaging so all else can align. The MP Shift develops that seed into a verbal and visual concept, then designs the brand identity and interiors. Then it’s a much smoother transition to communicate and activate the space, and the story will grow organically and cohesively.

You’re co-founders and good friends: What advice would you give other women collaborating with friends and trying to balance business and friendship?

It’s important to outline your goals and the roles you want to take on. Try to image all the scenarios of growth and how you would want your partnership to evolve. The more you communicate the better.

You have a new office in Dumbo, and — no surprise here — it’s beautifully designed. Could you tell us a bit about the look you decided to go for, and the inspiration behind it?

The office was a collaboration with the team. We wanted to make sure it felt like a home away from home. A place you feel relaxed and creative. We’re still new to the space so it’s evolving, but it definitely has a Bauhaus vibe.

You’ve both developed an impressive network of chefs and restaurants in New York and beyond. What are your favorite places to eat right now?

That’s always a hard question, but here are a few of our favorites:

Flora Bar: It’s nearly impossible to get into Estella, but Flora Bar, their sister restaurant with a focus on seafood at The Met Breuer, is just as good — a must try.

Karasu: A speakeasy in Fort Greene, they have a small menu but the fish and steak are excellent. We love the design here as well.

Atoboy: The service is some of the best in the city and you can’t beat a $40 menu with ingredients that are thoughtful and flavorful.

Russ & Daughters Cafe: A true reference in both the food and visual identity worlds, it’s an incredibly well-done evolution of the iconic Russ & Daughters delicatessen that’s been in New York for 100 years. The cafe serves the best smoked fish in town, delicious latkes, and a halvah sundae not to be missed.