San Sabino goes a little further than most Italian ristoranti to subvert the classic trattoria aesthetic. Before launching the sister restaurant to Don Angie, in the West Village, husband and wife team Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli hired GRT Architects to redesigned the space inside and out, floor to rafters.

Working with designer Audrey Le, GRT founding partners Tal Schori and Rustam Mehta carved a wedge from the space to install a serpentine bar echoed by a textured stainless-steel crown overhead.

The bar provides a cosy place to enjoy San Sabino’s seafood appetisers and pastas, while the crown casts warm yellow light into the dining room from custom polished brass sconces recessed into the surface. The motif of the glowing steel crown carries on around the room. Below it, mirrored panels delineate the space around each table.

Enhancing the warmth of the room is the colour story: deep golden yellow and milky grey with cherry-toned wood crossed with cool metal accents. The flooring plays on the traditional vinyl checkerboard familiar to New York trattorias. GRT introduced a circle pattern into the classic carreaux d’octagones design, using glossy ceramic and handmade stone tiles. Meanwhile, the ceiling is upholstered in woven jacquard and a subtle vermiculated print. Valance curtains frame the windows from above.

The team worked hard to bring the exterior in line with the burnished indoors by stripping down layers of paint to reveal a sheet of copper beneath, aged to a brilliant verdigris. Brought back to life, it adds dignity and charm to this flatiron-like corner spot.

113 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014, United States

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