The recently opened Moxy South Beach has expanded its F&B lineup with the launch of Como Como, a seafood restaurant and raw bar concept that reinterprets the traditional marisquería. Locally based Saladino Design Studios spearheaded venue’s design, which reverentially channels Mesoamerican influences. “When we design a restaurant, we don’t just focus on how it looks,” says Sean Saladino, studio and design director for the Miami-based firm. “It’s about how the whole experience ties into the cooking itself—how the food is created becomes part of the show becoming one living, breathing organism for the diners.”
Lined with stone and brick walls, Como Como displays Mesoamerican artifacts to instill a sense of authenticity immediately upon arrival. Through carved wooden doorways and wrought iron archways, guests are led into a dining room populated with custom furnishings composed of leather, carved wood, and embroidered and woven fabrics. The space is anchored by the dramatic fire station, where diners can watch their dish be cooked over a wood-burning grill. The raw bar comprises a monolithic, rough-cut stone in the center of the dining room, accented with a “tequila tree” sculpture made from handblown glass spheres and copper pipes. A lush outdoor courtyard outfitted with colorful tilework, hanging plants, and stone gardens
In June, Como Como will be joined by the intimate lounge Mezcalista. The space, also designed by Saladino, will draw inspiration from the ancient traditions of mezcal with an ambiance reminiscent of a catacomb. Arched doorways will lead guests into a sexy lounge that is home to banquettes upholstered in leather and velvet. Copper shelves will showcase spirit bottles, while an illuminated terracotta display will show off mezcal bottles behind the black Nero stone bar.
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