It is the perfect place to “forget the streets of New York and soak in the enchanting quality of the place”
Located on a busy thoroughfare, the 5,268-square-foot Restaurant, Pio Pio cuts deep into the two lower floors of a new, aluminum-and-glass, 9-story condominium—next to a donut shop. Is one of the must have stops for all architects get inpired while eat a perfect meal, brought by the long knowledge of south americans. The aura of Latin America within this context, Mariscal and his eponymous firm devised a path of travel that leads diners away from the street and transport them (at least conceptually) to a different country—in this case, Peru.
According to the San Diego–based Sebastian Mariscal Studio, the idea was to be evocative, not country-specific, a strategy that worked to his advantage when, in mid-project, new clients stepped in and changed the program from a Mexican venue to a Peruvian one.
The designer developed a series of functional “boxes,” or rooms, connecting them to form a trajectory that begins at the entrance and weaves through the space to the main dining room. Rustic wood planks, from recycled mushroom-bed shelving, compose the floors, walls, and ceilings; slivers of recessed LEDs define the entry’s orthogonal geometry; and a polished Carrara marble desk projects across its center.
The customers make their way to the dining room through Mariscal’s boxes with a heightened sense of anticipation, catching limited views of their destination. When they arrive, they forget the streets of New York and soak in the enchanting quality of the place.
It features multiple areas in which to experience our food, drinks, and “casa alegre” vibe. The 40 foot long marble bar offers plenty of space. The drink menu includes pisco cocktails made with fresh juices and marinated fruits, as well as white and red sangrias. Several tables and booths overlook a large double-floor dining room underneath a ceiling made of thousands of randomly-woven tree branches.
Address and Contacts:
Pio Pio Restaurant, Manhattan
604 Tenth Avenue
(212) 459-2929
piopio.com