Montagu Restaurant

Montagu arises from the premise of redefining the sandwich experience, named after the famous Earl of Sandwich, John Montagu, who is credited with the invention of this popular food.

The concept of the establishment is inspired by the duality between elegance and the mundane, fusing these ideas to create an atmosphere of ironic luxury, adopting a kitsch approach.

From the outside, the façade of the premises, originally decorated with moldings and ornaments, has been intervened with a new aesthetic. The panels covered with rhomboidal limestone create a pattern reminiscent of the classic English print, while geometric terrazzo pieces in burgundy tones guide towards the main access. These designs create a harmonious transition between exterior and interior, antique and contemporary.

Inside, a chandelier created from plastic gold party favors stands out, suspended over an inverted crown that serves as a distinctive table. The bar, covered in gray granite scraps arranged side by side, rests on a block of polished marble, creating a visual contrast that evokes a feeling of elegant decay, like the vestiges of a past glory.

On the wall, ironic hunting prizes are displayed, represented by small plastic animals, intervened with glasses and modern accessories framed in green wallpaper. This sarcastic reinterpretation of classic trophies adds a humorous perspective.

At the back of the premises there is a synthesis of an English train, with seats and windows that are visually repeated, generating continuity through strategically placed mirrors that allude to the feeling of being inside a carriage. The aesthetic cohesion of the space is reflected in the floor, the wall covering and the tables, all designed specifically for the premises in a chromatic unity.

The highlight of the interior design is the ceiling, where a contemporary and fun mural reinterprets Michelangelo’s famous work, “The Creation of Adam”, where God’s hand is replaced by a winged sandwich, while Adam, wears Jordan sneakers, a basketball jersey and tattoos, embodying the fusion between traditional and contemporary that characterizes Montagu.

Design: Grizzo Studio
Photography: Federico Kulekdjian