A breath of fresh New York air in Porto! Inspired by the cool feel of Little Italy, OITOEMPONTO has breathed new life into one of Porto's forgotten corners, now home to Portarossa, the new pizzaria at Rua Côrte Real nr. 289, in the Foz district, one of the oldest and most distinctive in the city.
Attractively designed by Jacques Bec and Artur Miranda, the restaurant features a terrace for outdoor dining, reached through a huge red gate, which gives the venue its brand concept, as well as its name, Portarossa. The gate was modernized by OITOEMPONTO, doubling the visibility of the eye-catching illuminated logo, making it visible both from street and from inside the restaurant. The terrace area features wooden flooring, framed by the original imposing stone wall and scented by the rosemary bushes along the wall. White metal tables and chairs form an elegant contrast with the khaki chosen for the walls and the black awnings.
The interior has been designed to form a lively urban space in which the various rooms interconnect through wide doors, creating a pleasant ambience which communicates with the outdoor areas. The dark wooden flooring in the main dining room serves to highlight the bright orange of the Surpil chairs, dating from 1929 and designed by Julien-Henri Porché, and the table with tops in travertine marble designed by OITOEMPONTO. Sofas in microperforated leather, also designed by OITOEMPONTO, are generously arrayed along the white brick walls, where the striking light fittings have been restored from originals dating from the 1930's, designed by the distinguished Lampe Gras.
The menu and other unexpected messages are written up on a huge glass structure at the end of the room, supported on a tile and iron base. The dark grey shelving covering part of the walls is filled with the tableware and other essentials for the restaurant, including of course il vino rosso... This back-ofhouse area is also home to the all-important wood-fired oven, lined in bevelled moss-green tiles which evoke a natural and contemporary Mediterranean ambience.
No less impressive is the bathroom area. Travertine marble cladding sets off the attractive wallpaper with kentia and ceriman leaves drawn vigorously in tones of khaki. The 1930's mirrors designed by Jacques Adnet in brown leather frames add a note of unassuming grandeur.
Stylishly designed by OITOEMPONTO, Portorossa achieves simplicity in a lively ambience, making it the ideal place to relax in good company at any time of day, away from the pressures of city life.
