5 changes happening at Counter-

Counter- in Wesley Heights will change its layout and dining format at the end of July.

Why it matters: James Beard-nominated chef and owner Sam Hart says these changes will elevate the dishes and overall experience at Counter-.

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Catch up quick: Counter-'s five-senses dining experience is one-of-a-kind in the city. It's constantly evolving with new tasting-menu themes, like the Titanic , Drive-Thru and Here & Now , to name a few.

• The restaurant itself is also constantly evolving as part of its 12-year shelf life, self-imposed by Hart .

What's next: Counter-'s " Archive " dining room, which showcases past tasting menus in a more traditional dining setting, will have its final service on July 27.

• On July 31, Counter-'s layout and format will change. You can make reservations here .

Here's what you can expect during your next visit:

The restaurant will now have a private dining room.

Context: The restaurant's U-shaped counter, which faces an open kitchen, has been the primary setting for diners and staff since the restaurant's inception and reopening in Wesley Heights . This isn't changing.

• The Archive dining room will turn into the dessert parlor. The room where the dessert parlor currently is will now be the private dining room.
• "The private dining room is a separate room with a separate entrance," Hart says.

How it works: When you walk into Counter-, you'll enter the "experience room," where you're handed your first course and drink pairing.

• Then, you'll be taken to the U-shaped counter, where you'll have more savory courses.
• Then, you'll be ushered through the kitchen, where you might have another course and drink pairing. This will be followed by a visit to the dessert parlor.

During a recent visit , we experienced our meal in three phases and were ushered through multiple rooms in the restaurant to complement the theme's storyline. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

You'll have a personal guide throughout the entire experience.

How it works: "The person that you meet when you first walk in through the door will be with you the entire night," Hart explains. "They'll go with you through every one of the rooms and tell you the story of what's going on."

• This, he says, will make your dining experience more intimate and personal, and will allow the staff to go more in-depth in their storytelling.
• Think of Hart as the main narrator. "Instead of me yelling the story out to everyone at one time, you will get to hear each chapter of that story individually," he said.

Every guest will interact with every person on the 22-person staff — including its nine chefs. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

They're adding more seats and dining times.

Context: Instead of two dinners at 5:45pm and 8:15pm, Counter- will now offer staggered seating.

• Reservations will be available in 30-minute intervals starting at 5:45pm through 8:15pm.
• They're also starting Saturday lunch service from 12-2pm.

The popular wine dinners, like the 20 wines for $25 event that originated at Biblio and then at Archive, will continue at Counter-. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios

Counter- will no longer have music pairings as part of its dining experience.

Context: Since it opened , the restaurant's soundtrack has been an integral part of the overall experience. Changing seasonally with its evolving tasting menu, the music played throughout your dinner was part of the presentation.

• However, synchronizing music to each course will be impossible with the new staggered seating. "The music now is actually kind of holding it back," Hart said.
• Music will still be part of the experience, but removing the synchronization will allow each chef to focus on their respective dishes, which, in turn, will elevate each course.
• They'll still offer album and artist tribute dinners once a quarter, which will be completely set to music.

No tipping necessary.

Catch up quick: Earlier this year, Counter- got rid of tipping. Instead, at the end of your meal, you're asked to contribute a donation to their 501(c)(3) partners. You can choose to donate or not.

• Either way, the staff's salary and compensation —including health benefits and paid time off — are included in the price of your dinner reservation.