Carlo’s
JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio’s Carlo’s in Manila elegantly transforms New York’s Little Italy into a sensory dining experience, blending warmth and modernity through rich materials and thoughtful design.
Carlo’s, the newest dining destination in Manila, unfolds as a richly textured homage to New York’s Little Italy, reimagined through the precise, contemporary lens of JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio. Spanning 190 square meters, the interior is conceived as a narrative journey, guiding guests through a sequence of atmospheres that echo the intimacy, nostalgia, and urban charm of an American-Italian neighborhood institution.
A recessed, millwork-lined foyer sets the stage, blending old-world warmth with modern restraint. Inside, a counter-height Coffee-to-Cocktails Bar anchors the main dining area, wrapped in oak timber and antique brass, establishing a palette of patinated woods, mid-century frames, and Carlo’s signature tones of burgundy, pine green, and mustard. At the heart of the space, “Nonna’s Open Kitchen” celebrates culinary theatre, framed by a white-tiled Italian pizza oven and sartorial green tartan stools. Deeper within, The Back Room softens into burgundy concrete tiles, recycled PET wallpapers, and intimate seating, a quiet counterpoint to the restaurant’s lively core.
Custom Filipino-made lighting, recycled materials, and locally fabricated furnishings underscore a commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability. Paired with a curated selection of contemporary American artworks, Carlo’s becomes more than a restaurant. It is a cinematic, sensorial portrait of Little Italy transported with refinement and soul.
Design: JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio
Photography: Scott Woodward
Now editing content for LinkedIn.