The project was conceived with the aim of translating 2 Michelin Star Chef – Henrique Sá Pessoa’s cuisine and identity into the physical space: a signature cuisine that celebrates the ingredients of his homeland, reinterpreted with sophistication and an international perspective.
The design eschews the superfluous and the excessive to create an intimate and enveloping atmosphere, as if Henrique himself were welcoming guests into his home. The space does not seek to dominate, but rather to welcome, representing both the man and his country through the values that define them: humility, authenticity and excellence.
References to the ocean are inevitable. The stucco finishes in shades of navy blue and petrol blue lend depth, texture and character, whilst the barrel-vaulted ceiling reinforces the sense of refuge and continuity. The use of fine materials – carvalho wood and other materials from Portugal – creates a warm and balanced contrast with the predominant blue colour scheme.
In the central space, diners enjoy a sweeping view of the restaurant, where the kitchen is presented without pretence: open, precise and taking centre stage. From the dining room, the chefs’ work becomes a silent spectacle that invites one to observe the precision and respect shown by these culinary professionals.
The private dining room intensifies this homely experience. Conceived as Henrique’s personal dining room, it features a kitchen designed for exclusive gatherings. The shelves, lined with personal and meaningful objects, hint at the origins of the ideas, journeys and experiences that fuel his creativity.
A space that is not merely inhabited, but felt: Portugal, the sea and signature cuisine transformed into an experience.
