A Portrait in Food and Philosophy: The Restorative
The Restorative invited our team to craft a cinematic short film that reveals the heart of their restaurant. Our goal was to create an honest and artful visual narrative that captures the philosophy, rhythm, and personality of the kitchen.
Image Description: Final culinary visuals for The Restorative film / Dunedin, FL
Located in the heart of Dunedin, Florida, The Restorative is a fine dining restaurant known for its evolving seasonal menu and deeply personal approach to cuisine. Rather than produce a polished promo, the restaurant sought something real, a visual story that reflects the care, philosophy, and human rhythm behind their kitchen.
Our team spent two days across April and May 2025 filming on-site, capturing prep work, service, and candid conversations that bring the restaurant’s personality to life.
Image Description: Final culinary visuals for The Restorative film / Dunedin, FL
We documented the quieter moments of the kitchen, ingredient prep, candid team interactions, and downtime reflection with Chef Jason Borajkiewicz. Using natural light and handheld camera work, we kept the style unobtrusive and true to the environment.
We returned during a bustling service to capture the pace, plating, and seamless collaboration that defines the evening experience. The focus was on energy, timing, and the unspoken communication of a seasoned team in motion.
This film was built around Chef Jason’s voice, his interview served as the narrative spine, layered with raw kitchen audio, ambient noise, and visual texture. Every shot was intentional but observational, designed to reflect the craft, emotion, and evolving identity of the restaurant.
Image Description: Final culinary visuals for The Restorative film / Dunedin, FL
The final deliverable was a short documentary-style film, crafted to function as both a standalone brand piece and a timeless visual asset.
The video was optimized for web, YouTube, and social platforms, and was distributed on Instagram in collaboration with The Restorative to maximize reach. Designed with flexibility in mind, the film can be embedded into future website updates or used across various digital marketing channels.
Image Description: Instagram post showing a moment from the film with viewer comments praising the aesthetic and storytelling and insights.
The release of the film deepened The Restorative’s digital identity by providing a human-centered narrative that stood apart from traditional restaurant marketing.
Shared on Instagram as a collaborative post, the video sparked an overwhelmingly positive response, followers praised its authenticity, cinematic quality, and emotional resonance. The project boosted social engagement through genuine storytelling and also became a reusable brand asset that reflects the heart, personality, and philosophy behind the restaurant.
“Jacob Pierce did an amazing job telling our story in such a beautiul manner.” ♥️
Jason & Cricket Borajkiewicz
Owners, The Restorative