I'd open it above like a 'pass-through' and bring the table out in front of it with a bench under the opening.

OSB board will do the trick. You need another photo for us to offer a species and finish. Natural finish (clear coat...water based polyurethane finish...NO oil modified) in a low gloss or satin finish on white oak with FLOOD LIGHTS will offer the same "look" as the poor photo. Beyond that, you will need a better photo.

@Cornerstone Designs 888.4851.444 Studio, Sorry but the design is finalized. Bright, Light and White. That was my idea for the kitchen. The only miss is the grooves in the cabinet doors. Apparently the design company I hired do not work with MDF or MDF with Duco Paint. For the tiles, gloss finish is something I am not looking for. And since the beveled edges are also unavailable, I am planning to go for basic matte white and black tiles from Johnson's. As below - Any suggestion with the colors though?

Hey Rahul, You can go with veneer on flush door with brass strips inlayed and do a laminate finish. or if you're looking for something contemporary then i suggest you go for Duco finish with matte finish colors such as white, grey or checkout their shade card for more colors.