Fore Street Restaurant Branding & Design
Murphy Empire partnered with Fore Street, one of Portland, Maine’s most nationally celebrated restaurants from acclaimed restaurateur Dana Street (also of Scales and Street & Company), to create a refined yet deeply human brand identity. Fore Street has long been recognized as one of the country’s top culinary destinations, known for wood-fired cooking, seasonal local ingredients, and its foundational role in Portland’s rise as a food capital.
Our work captures the craft, humility, and artistry at the heart of Fore Street’s ethos — in both digital and physical touchpoints.
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Brand Identity & Creative Direction
Our approach centered on the idea that extraordinary cuisine is born from hands-on craft. The wordmark, seemingly minimalist at first glance, is composed of subtly articulated humanist letterforms — each symbolizing the tactile skill, effort, and intention behind the food itself. The identity balances restraint and warmth, reflective of Fore Street’s intimate setting and culinary integrity.
Logo Design & Visual Language
The custom logotype is supported by a quiet, confident visual language rooted in natural materiality — earth, smoke, and craftsmanship. Typography, spacing, and detail work together to form a brand presence that feels honest, timeless, and grounded in the experience of dining at Fore Street.
This visual simplicity allows the restaurant’s story — and its food — to speak for itself.
Website, Print & Digital Branding
We extended the identity into a custom website showcasing Fore Street’s approach to seasonal gastronomy through rich texture, thoughtful rhythm, and intuitive user experience. The system was also applied to menus and print materials, ensuring consistent refinement from digital to dining table.
A notable part of this project includes an original mixed-media painting by Ken Murphy of Murphy Empire —
Monkey Holding the Fruit of Life (48" × 48", 2005) — commissioned by Dana Street and prominently displayed in the Fore Street lounge, where it has become a beloved local landmark.
Deliverables
Brand Strategy & Visual Identity System
Custom Wordmark with Humanist Glyph Forms
Website Design & Development
Menu & Print Collateral
Digital Marketing Visuals
Original Commissioned Artwork Displayed In-Restaurant
Explore more of our work in Logo Design, or Website Design.