Filipino-American artist Jefrë Manuel is globally celebrated for defining cityscapes with massive, thoughtful public art. His latest work, Curious Icons, is a landmark installation born from a bold collaboration with IQOS, the heated tobacco system brand under PMFTC, Inc. This powerful fusion is a declarative statement on transformation and progress, asserting that the act of […]
Carlo’s Italian Restaurant Brings a Slice of Manhattan to Manila
Manila’s newest culinary sensation, Carlo’s Italian Restaurant provides a fully immersive dining experience that transports diners to Little Italy in Manhattan. This space captures the essence of an era when Italian immigrants brought their rich culinary traditions to America, influencing what we now know as American-Italian gastronomy. At Carlo’s, this story is told through its menu and the meticulously crafted design of the space.
Envisioning the Ambiance
Designer JJ Acuña of Hong Kong-based JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio was instrumental in shaping the restaurant’s unique ambiance. “It’s about mentally immersing myself in the envisioned ambiance and narrative,” Acuña explains. “It’s envisioning the quintessential experience of dining in New York’s Little Italy and translating it seamlessly to a setting like Manila. This mental journey informs our creative process, guiding us from conceptualization to execution.”
Acuña’s approach begins with an intuitive connection to the energy and spirit of the place. “The spirit of the space originates from a dream—an idealized vision that guided our team. When conceptualizing a space, I dove into the nuances: the play of light at dusk, the bustling energy of a kitchen in full swing, the warmth of a welcoming host, and the proximity of a sizzling pizza oven. Each of these elements contributes to a rich and deep narrative we aim to encapsulate,” he says.
Advertisement
A Slice of Little Italy in Manila
The clients envisioned a relaxed dining destination that would welcome guests throughout the day, from morning coffee to evening cocktails. Acuña reimagined the restaurant’s facade to transport diners away from the corporate landscape and into the heart of Little Italy. The entrance is designed to create a distinctive foyer with old-world charm.
Spatial Planning and Design Narrative
The restaurant’s efficient compartmentalization is reminiscent of New York City train cars and the lower floors of historical brownstones. This contributes to the overall design narrative. A counter-height “Coffee-to-Cocktails Bar” anchors the Main Dining Area at the front of the restaurant. This centerpiece features exquisite oak timber hardwood details and an antique brass-frame mirror hanging overhead. The color palette integrates patinas from the hardwood, antique frames, and fabrics in Carlo’s signature colors. This creates a seamless blend of contemporary and nostalgic mid-century modern aesthetics.
The success of Carlo’s Italian Restaurant’s design lies in the collaborative effort between the designer and the client. “Through meticulous attention to detail, innovative furniture design, bespoke architectural elements, and nuanced lighting schemes, we breathed life into this vision,” Acuña reflects. “The passion of the team and the culinary delights of Carlo’s truly animate the space, transforming it into an unforgettable experience for patrons.”
Advertisement
Read more about Carlo’s Italian Restaurant by ordering your copy of BluPrint Volume 1, available via the sarisari.shopping website, Shopee, and Lazada. E-magazines are available for download via Readly, Press Reader, and Magzter.
Photographed by Ed Simon.
Read more: Goldenberg Mansion: Heritage Restoration in the Heart of Manila
Attempting to define Jorge Yulo by what he was not proved equally elusive. Not a post-modernist. Likely not a deconstructionist nor a formalist either, despite his playful manipulation of striking forms. What else not? “Oh, I’m evasive even to myself,” he admitted with a grin. It was time to throw the boxes out. After three […]
Advertisement
For lifestyle advocate Amanda Griffin, a home is more than a collection of beautiful objects; it is the physical manifestation of one’s values. Creating a sustainable home, therefore, isn’t about chasing a trend—it’s about consciously building a sanctuary that reflects a deeper commitment to a mindful life. This principle is at the heart of initiatives […]
Kilyawan is the local name for the golden oriole, a native bird with a song like a flute, which can be heard throughout our project site. Kilyawan Farm Resort is two hours from Manila, the Philippine capital. It is an 8.5-hectare property just north of Ibaan, a small town in the province of Batangas. The […]
![[From left] Sarah Crescimbeni, the sales manager for Poltrona Frau, Florence Ko, owner of Furnitalia Philippines, her husband, William Ko, and Davide Geglio, the Italian Ambassador to the Philippines.](https://bluprint-onemega.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Elle-Feature-Cover.webp)
Furnitalia Philippines launched the new Archibald Denim Edition armchair from iconic Italian design company Poltrona Frau to the Philippines on September 16. The new chairs are a new step forward not just for contemporary living room furnishings, but also for the creation and use of sustainable materials in future projects. Held at Furnitalia’s showroom in […]
Advertisement
Casa Mediterranea, a two-story Mediterranean home in Dumaguete City, is designed for a young couple and their growing family. More than just a residential project, it also marks a milestone: it is the first project architect Gaston Pastrano completed under his independent practice, Gaston Architecture Studio. For Pastrano, adapting Mediterranean design to the local climate […]
Download this month's BLUPRINT magazine digital copy from:
Subscribe via [email protected]