by Madison Rutherford | photography by Angelina Aragon
Every detail at Pretty Penny is guided by its motto, “In taste we trust” – from the rotating global plates and boundary-pushing cocktails to the green-and-orange, expat-club décor inspired by “a tiger in the jungle.” Conceived by Sam Olguin and Brenon Stuart of Killer Whale Sex Club fame, the vibe-y, 37-seat restaurant on Roosevelt Row was tricky to design, but Olguin and Stuart are no strangers to maximizing small spaces. The duo originally opened Pretty Penny across the street in a snug storefront without a full kitchen (now home to Turquoise Wine Bar). “I built a chef’s counter out front, and we just had $80 induction burners from Amazon,” Olguin says. They relocated at the end of 2024 and Olguin hand-built everything in the new space – from plush banquettes lining one wall to a stunning walnut bar on the other. Stuart says he wants the space to evoke the “intimate and very intentional” hospitality of going to a friend’s house for dinner. “Everything just comes back to… being thoughtfully inviting and wanting to show people a good time.”
Abstract Art
Stuart’s mom, local artist Lisa LaPedes-Robbins, made this custom painting to match the restaurant’s playful aesthetic and bright color palette.
Backlit Banquettes
Olguin designed and built the restaurant’s sleek walnut banquettes, topped with custom cushions for a cozy touch. LED strip lights trace the banquettes’ angled backs to create depth and warmth.
Pendant Lights
Bright orange pendant lights hover over each table, casting a warm, ambient glow without harsh fluorescence. “I like this style of lamp because you can’t see the bulbs,” Olguin says.
Custom Bar
Pretty Penny provides limited bar seating “so we can work and talk to people at the same time,” Olguin says. A lower, wider chef’s counter wraps around the service well.
Woven Tiger Rug
This emerald- and terracotta-hued hall runner from Ruggable serves as a stylish intermediary between Pretty Penny and its sister bar, Legends Never Die.
Pretty Penny
509 E. Roosevelt St., Phoenix
602-960-0406, intastewetrust.com
