Bisiesto restaurant by Vang Studios

It’s not only the good food, ditto drinks, and jolly banter—Bisiesto offers the full package, offering a stylish setting which makes it the preferred hangout of Montevideo‘s discerning young gourmets. Occupying the lofty ground floor of a historic building in the downtown neighbourhood of Pocitos, the restaurant and bar features an interior design by Buenos Aires-based architecture practice Vang Studios – mind you, construction was executed by local practice UNA STUDIO – which has kept the character of the building largely intact, retaining its façade and ground floor walls. While the façade sees a pristine makeover which accentuates Neoclassical architectural elements, the interior offers a stark contrast, featuring bare walls and ceilings as a backdrop for a series of sleek, modern interventions. Upon entering, customers encounter an elongated bar and service counter, clad in visually high-drama red marble, and paired with sleek stools. A semi-open kitchen is attached to the bar, separated from the seating area with a suspended shelving unit. The divider playfully incorporates circular decorative elements which tie in with large planters with lush greens hanging from the ceiling across the space.

Seating comprises of metal tables and chairs lining the wall, in addition to a large communal table, crafted from sturdy timber and with an embedded planter, and paired with low stools in black. Additional indoor seating comes in the form of four sizeable booths for larger groups. The interior design also includes the abundant yet meticulously dosed colour blue, which is captured by furnishings, fixtures and walls, connecting the indoors with the outdoors along the way. Additionally, Bisiesto‘s design also embeds ceramic artwork by local tile manufacturer Cerámicas del Castillo, adding an artisanal touch to the settings. At the back of the building, an intimate, walled patio can be found. A backlit, cushioned concrete bench lines the walls, paired with blue metal furniture. Right at the centre sits a ceramic artwork, demarcated by four more cushioned concrete benches. Bisiesto is open almost all day, and its menu lists a wide variety of bites and dishes, all paired with an equally elaborate range of drinks, easily keeping you here in a state of culinary bliss for a couple of hours. © superfuture