Catagory: Hospitality
Client: Stephen Starr
Project: Serpico
Location: Philadelphia, PA
A welcoming space with an inviting neighborhood vibe, the design personality of Serpico showcases chef Peter Serpico’s singular vision and attention to detail. From the street, a charcoal-gray brick façade equipped with a crisp sign and menu board teases the impeccable experience waiting inside. A large picture window, stocked with subtly lit bottles of artisan spirits, acts as a stylish buffer between the interior and street. Nearly half of the restaurant’s 60 seats surround the centralized open kitchen, crowned by a large floating steel hood that focuses the energy on the culinary team on the other side of the counter. The remainder of the seating is split between booths, tables and a free-standing bar popular with casual walk-in diners. The primary wall dressings are the menu items themselves, written on 8-foot-high charcoal gray chalkboard that runs the circumference of the space. This lighthearted touch contrasts with wide plank oak flooring, exposed brick walls and exposed wooden ceiling joists. Impeccable natural walnut furniture lends an appealing residential quality to the space, recalling an aesthetic that is at once nostalgic and contemporary. The subtle lighting scheme lends a warm ambient glow, punctuated by spotlights on individual tabletops. Linear up-lighting ringing the room reminds diners of the decorative textures resting above the chalkboard walls. Booths are equipped with sconces, casting a flattering glow on the table and those around it.