What about going for a piece of wood and finding someone who can paint faux granite? That would let you make whatever size piece you want, but it would keep it much lighter and wouldn't be too heavy for the pass through.

I would not do anything except get rid of the white trim and paint it the same as the wall color.

This isn't and was never meant to be a bar - Which is what you're trying to make it into.

Either rip out the wall and make it a proper bar or leave it alone.

yeah just get rid of that white trim

I had thought about butcher block, but that doesn't accomplish the granite aspect. If it's typical 2x4 wood stud framing at the pass thru I doubt you'd have structural issues with granite. Maybe 2 or 3 black metal shelf brackets on the dining room side for support, and to tie in the black appliances - if it doesn't interfere with the dining area.
Wet sanding/polishing the sides of the granite tile may take care of the edge if you choose tile.

Hang a beautiful glass panel in the space and call it a day.

http://www.dmstainedglass.com/gallery/artpanel/green_bottoms.htm

Where is the actual door from the Dining Room to the Kitchen located? I would either turn the opening into a sizeable bar or get rid of the glaringly obvious white trim.

You can see where our door was located in the first picture, and we opened up the whole wall to add a bar. Would that work with the positioning in your house?

Kitchen Before

Kitchen After

It doesn't look like the current pass through allows much light through; you could always sheetrock over the opening, too.

I like the above idea the best. It looks like a great place for plants.

I would either go for it and turn it into a door, or cover it up. As is, it really doesn't seem to be doing anything other than creating a problem.

I think if you want to use it as a pass-through, go ahead and make the ledge a little wider with some granite tile. You're right, you can't make a bar. But that doesn't mean it can't be used as what it is--a pass-through. At least then you can set stuff in between as your setting the table for dinner. It can still be a practical and interesting feature.

Otherwise, why not hang some artwork there? Just buy a vintage window and reinforce the top trim, then hang it centered.

This is totally random, but great ideas are, no? Put a piece of glass/plexiglass in there and use it as a dry erase board for the kitchen. It'll be useful when cooking (you can write ingredients and directions on there), and look cool from both sides. But maybe too modern for the space?

What about an "Order Here" sign?

LOVE the "order here" sign idea. :)

Having just knocked a hole into a wall to make a bar like this, here's something to consider. You need 24" for a person to sit at a bar. Our pass through has an 8" overhang and is 45" wide. Two people can sit at it to eat, but we bump elbows. I'm not sure that it's worth it to install countertop for only 35 or so inches of space. Too much space for one stool, not enough for two.

I'd try adding a cool two sided sign or stained glass panel to the top (about 12" tall), popping off the bottom piece of framing and installing a new one with routered edges that extends over the edges of the wall 1-2" on each side.Then paint to match the molding. You get more space-enough to set down a tray of snacks-without loosing the interior window feel like you would with a granite top. Then between the art/glass panel all you need a vase of flowers on the new bottom ledge for a stunning focal point, whether you're in the kitchen or the living room.

I'm not trying to block off the pass through -- I probably didn't make myself clear that I do like it. I just want to dress it up a little and tie it into the kitchen a little more. michalcrum had it just right when he mentioned about using the pass through as a place for dishes. That's really my intention, particularly with the granite as it will stand up to the heat and as I mentioned, would tie in with the kitchen countertops.

It's a small kitchen, so it's helpful because it provides more air flow into what would be a stuffy area and I get quite a bit of light in the kitchen from the living room (half of the far wall is glass because of three sliding door panels). Plus, I like it because I can interact with guests when I'm in the kitchen.

I'd love to open the space further but apparently that wall is structural. I've spoken to others in my condo complex who have the same style unit and have looked into taking the wall down.

Thanks for the ideas.

hi!

So--we have this exact same situation at our house. Our solution cost about $8 at Ikea and we get compliments on it everytime someone new comes over!

We took the wall mount pole (shown here http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70022782 ) and mounted it upside down on the top of the opening, bought a pack of "S" hooks and hung out pots and pans from it. I'm at work now or I'd take a picture for you. But if I remember I will and send it your way!
You could also hang plants or even two picture frames back to back and put some fun art or photographs in there!
Good luck!

I suggest you install one or two glass shelves, cut to fit (perhaps have a carpenter or use a router to notch out the sides), and put wine glasses and highball and water glasses on it. You still have the light, makes setting the table easy, frees up cabinet space, and makes it easy for guests to serve themsevles. Plus its an excuse to buy all new glasses that match.

Remove the trim and finish the drywall. Have a granite or stone fabricator craft a sill for the ledge. The edge can be whatever you prefer; ogee, bullnose, eased, etc. It should extend slightly beyond the wall edge (just like a window sill). This gives you the functionality you desire, while eliminating the jarring nature of the trim.

Brian--

Just because a wall is structural doesn't mean it can't be removed - You just have to carry the load w/ a beam and columns or supports within the walls. A good contractor can do this for you.

If you're not going to rip the wall out, then at least make the hole larger (higher and wider) before you add your enlarged counter.

I'm actually not planning to add an enlarged counter all. lol! As I mentioned in my original post, it would be nice if I had to space to do that, but I don't -- adding a counter there would push the dining room table further into the living room (it's one open space) and the space just isn't big enough to accommodate that.

So far, the idea I like the most above was pamh's suggestion about adding glass shelving.

Funny thing.. I live in a small 1 bdrm condo too and 'just' opened my galley kitchen-to-living room wall with a small pass thru window, over the kitchen sink, to let much needed light and air into the kitchen as well. I can understand your desire to figure out what to do with the 'look' of it. I had a plumbing vent pipe in the middle of my wall that I had to have relocated down a foot and I'm just getting the living room wall put back together after that. Painting will come next so I'm trying to decide what to do with my window now as I want to paint/tile the kitchen walls from cabinet bottom to counter top.
I am leaning towards a granite window sill or I liked the mention of the decorative tiling for a sill. I'd have to tie it all in tho if I fix up the kitchen side a bit too. I was in Home Depot two weeks ago and they have some really nifty tile sets that would give your darker paint a splash of color if you're into that or perhaps call the people who did your kitchen counters and see if you can get a piece cut to match them for your sill?! I love your dining colors and the white trim does stand out but I think it will look better once you get that new fridge in as you said.
Good luck!