In a section of New York City synonymous with swank—a new restaurant in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District called The Collective is furnished and decorated with scavenged material. The restaurant—with the help of the design firm ICrave—features found items reminiscent of New York past and collected mostly from junk yards and flea markets.

This design approach appears to be a nod to the recent economic downturn, and The Collective will try to keep it real with a menu of comfort food.

So we’re a bit confused here. Is sitting on a couch bought at a Yonkers flea market supposed to take our mind off the recession, or the fact that we just paid $16 for a burger? Couldn’t we just order some sliders and stare at junk on the walls at Applebee’s?*

*foodiggity does not condone, support, or recommend eating at Applebee’s under any circumstance. We were simply trying to make a point.

[via Fast Company]