10 restaurants and cafes for savouring the Christmas spirit
Le Coucou, New York, Ph. Le Coucou
A round-up of places to check out for marking the festivities. Bearing the signatures of the most prestigious international designers
Cinnamon, candles, red, green, white, wood, rugs, velvet, fairy lights, fires, chocolate, wallpaper, boiserie and stained glass - all the ingredients you need for concocting the Christmas spirit, without necessarily indulging in totally over-the-top commercial decorativism. Come to think of it, these are ingredients that we look for all year round and this selection of bars, restaurants and cafés around the world caters to our need for physical, spiritual and tasteful warmth.
Marchesi 1824, Milan
Designed by Roberto Baciocchi of Baciocchi Associati, which boasts clients such as Prada and Miu Miu, the Pasticceria Marchesi 1824 at 9 Via Montenapoleone in Milan features Verde Alpi green marble floors and coverings, pink velvets for the chairs and panels, and shiny brass details for the finishes and profiles. The horizontal windows serve to underscore the product display, while the lighting set into the false ceilings creates uniform and unobtrusive lighting. The classic elements are revisited with essential geometries for a minimal but enveloping design language.
Le Coucou, New York
A French restaurant in New York with cuisine by the international chef Daniel Rose, and designed by the New York-based interior design studio Roman and Williams, founded by Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer. The design for Le Coucou combines industrial elements, such as classic exposed brickwork and steel beams, with details that warm the ambiance, from big chandeliers to bespoke furnishing. The lighting has been contrived to foster an intimate atmosphere, emphasised by the parquet and its combination with retro drapes and furnishings.
Casadonna, Miami
Housed in the historic Miami Women’s Club building, Casadonna bears the signature of interior designer Ken Fulk, known for his opulent interiors reminiscent of set designs of yesteryear. Channelling a palette of pinks and blues, the space was inspired by a mixture of Italian Renaissance palaces, French Rococo and the tropical atmosphere of Miami. Spaces include the Courtyard Bar with a double-height atrium and retractable roof, the Garden Dining Room with terracotta tiles and floral fabrics, and the Loggia Dining Room with Murano glass chandeliers and coffered ceilings. The kitchen offers traditional Italian coastal dishes, reinterpreted in a contemporary key, with influences from cities such as Naples, Taormina and Positano.
Abrielle, Toronto
The Canadian DesignAgency designed the Abrielle restaurant inspired by a Mediterranean muse, employing a palette of warm neutrals, burgundy and ocean-inspired shades. Situated in Toronto’s vibrant King Street West leisure district, it serves breakfast, brunch and dinner surrounded by oversized shell-patterned pendant lights, a mirrored reception desk and stone finishes that envelop visitors.
Stella, Los Angeles
Located in West Hollywood, Stella is an Italian restaurant designed by the Los Angeles-based Wendy Haworth Design Studio. The interior is inspired by Fifties Italy, with architectural details that include precious wood and vintage furnishings. The multi-level space includes private dining rooms, swathed in wallpaper and boiserie. The kitchen is presided over by the chef Rob Gentile, and offers modern interpretations of traditional Italian dishes, with the emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients.
Marchesi 1824, Milan - Ph. Baciocchi Associati
Casadonna, Miami
Abrielle, Toronto - Ph. Maya Visnyei
Stella, Los Angeles
Grand Cafè, Eindhoven
Piet Hein Eek’s Grand Café in Eindhoven is situated in a former Philips factory, now transformed into a multifunctional complex that is home to a studio, a showroom and exhibition spaces. The interior design preserves the original industrial aesthetic, with wide windows, exposed steel structures and concrete floors, teamed with reclaimed wood furnishings, characteristic of Eek's style. Natural light is championed to create a bright and welcoming environment. The cuisine features seasonal dishes made from local ingredients, with the emphasis on sustainability, in line with Eek’s design philosophy.
Bar Nouveau, Paris
A tiny Art Nouveau triumph in Paris’s 3rd arrondissement, conceived by the Paris-based Atelier Alma. The design mixes Art Nouveau elements with contemporary materials, characterised by organic lines and a façade decorated with motifs evocative of the style of the time. The use of ceiling-mounted mirrors serves to expand the space, while the multicolour mosaic floor adds a contemporary touch. Bar Nouveau offers a selection of classic cocktails, such as the Chrysanthemum, served in hand-painted glasses, emphasising the attention to detail and craftsmanship.
Morchella, London
Featuring Mediterranean dishes and seasonal ingredients, Morchella envelops its clients in an immersive atmosphere forged by historical elements and contemporary details, and materials such as natural wood, green tiles and brass. The interiors were designed by the London-based studio Up Architects, with natural lighting provided by the large windows, enhanced by soft lights and candles. The neutral wood is paired with wall shades of lime and sand.
Amazónico, Madrid
Located in Madrid’s Salamanca district, Amazónico is a restaurant conceived by the Catalan interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The interiors are inspired by the Amazon jungle, channelling natural materials, lush greenery and tropical motifs. The soft lighting and eclectic décor make for an exotic, immersive ambiance. The menus combine Asian, Mediterranean, and South American influences, with a focus on Brazilian flavours.
Noma 2.0, Copenhagen
The Noma 2.0 restaurant bears the signature of Studio BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) with a design that breaks restaurant up into a series of interconnected pavilions, each with a specific function, arranged around a central kitchen. The use of local materials, such as wood and glass, serves to integrate the architecture with the evocative surroundings, emphasising transparency and connection with nature. The kitchen is led by chef René Redzepi and focuses on seasonal Nordic ingredients, with menus that vary according to the seasons, featuring plants, game and seafood.
Bar Nouveau, Paris
Morchella, London
Noma 2.0, Copenhagen
