Elegance and good taste

At the centre of Nola, the birthplace of Giordano Bruno, stands the main square, Piazza del Duomo. It is the location of the Cathedral with its sober neo-Renaissance style, and the Town Hall with its equally restrained and well-calibrated architecture. And now it is also home to the Habitué-Vin&Cuisine restaurant, a creative haute-cuisine establishment founded by two young entrepreneurs, Fabio Coppola and Giuseppe Vetrano, with funding from Japanese and French backers. Despite its modern vision, it is respectful of traditions (the chef is the highly talented Raffaele D’Aria who has worked as a sous-chef to the Michelin-starred Francesco Sposito). It is a jewel in every sense of the word, starting out from the architecture designed by StudioarchO with the aim of creating something new but with a retro flavour that reflects the cuisine. « Right from the start, we searched for a location with a strong identity that would reflect the clients’ vision, » explain the Nola-based architects. « The chosen venue was an apartment on the main floor of a historic building right next to the cathedral. » The first step was to eliminate the various historical layers that had accumulated over the years and to give the location a rational layout and visual appeal without succumbing to banal stylistic modernism that would have been out of place in the setting. The architects devoted special care to the entrance area. Stepping inside from the cathedral square, diners find themselves in the lobby surrounded by mirrors and marble set amongst floral-themed wall tiles, immersed in a Belle Epoque atmosphere that exudes a sense of luxury and elegance. Upstairs, the original layout of the rooms has been only slightly modified, while a lot of effort has been made to give the rooms an intimate feel that will put diners in a pleasant, relaxed and inquisitive mood, ready for the culinary experience that awaits them. The monochromatic theme and the ingenious use of mirrors give the spaces a theatrical and nostalgic feel, as though time has stood still. « Brass coexists with brick-coloured velvet seats, while warm lighting recreates the mood of candlelight and enhances the natural grain of the parquet, » say the architects. « The materials play a vital role. In particular, we chose large-size ceramic tiles from Fondovalle for a portion of the floors and walls. A passion for beauty and tireless technological research make this company a point of reference in the world of contemporary design. We chose the Infinito 2.0 line in a 160×320 cm size for the surface coverings in two of the dining rooms and the bathroom, opting for the Fior di Bosco finish inspired by Tuscan marble. » The Res Art collection in the Pottery version and in the same sizes completes the floor and wall coverings in the bathrooms, its slight relief texture emphasising the vibrancy of the light. « As we were saying, the choice and juxtaposition of materials played a key role in this project, » conclude the architects. « Thanks to their authenticity they make the Habitué a unique meeting and dining venue for the town. Moreover, in late June diners can enjoy a front-row view of the unforgettable spectacle of the Festival of Lilies, now inscribed on UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage List. Our design choices were not influenced by trends: in a venue like this with its powerful architectural and culinary identity, it is vital to focus on style rather than to follow the vagaries of fashion… » As Coco Chanel said, fashion changes but style endures.