Bistro Mondo proof of life’s simple surprises

CHEF Steve Scudder with owner Edna Sandejas and architect Abraham Tan

The secret ingredient to the best dining experience may not always be just what’s in the meal.

A restaurant’s interior design can also play a significant role in influencing the mood of the diners and in whetting their appetites for that ultimate culinary experience—be it just a simple hamburger joint or a chic, fine-dining establishment.

The newly opened Bistro Mondo, for one, took pains to transform a barren lot on Durban Street to become what is now a vibrant, contemporary resto that serves fine French and Italian food, among other cuisines, along a bleak and dimly lit area in Makati.

Challenging

In an exclusive interview with Inquirer Property, Bistro Mondo owner Edna Sandejas and architect Abraham Tan related how challenging it was to transform the place, given its irregular shape (trapezoidal), the location, the two towering buildings on both sides and even the budget.

“I have had a couple of opportunities to design a high-end food place before. But for me, this is what I consider as my first stand-alone restaurant. Ms Sandejas has been good and patient with me. I felt that she knew I was young and motivated. She gave me a sense of confidence and freedom in the design,”  Tan explained.

Incorporating the ideas of Sandejas and her business partner, chef Steven Scudder along with his, Tan then started to convert the lot using contemporary Greek design.

Deciding to paint the Bistro Mondo in all white, Tan said the resto was what they call a “simple white surprise.”

BISTRO Mondo’s distinct simplicity in color, form and materials is what gave it character and sophistication.

“Budget has been one of the biggest considerations and we didn’t want to spend on flamboyant details,” Tan said, further noting that Bistro Mondo’s distinct simplicity in color, form and materials is what actually gave it more character and sophistication.

Upon entry, however, one would not feel that budget had been a major factor during its construction. With its elegant, sophisticated interiors and lighting, not to mention the paintings that adorn the walls, Bistro Mondo can even give diners that feeling of being in one of the exclusive restos in the Metro.

“Rough white old Greek style is evident in the hang lights, bare stair path, concrete window frame, wooden round bar table and the white roof terrace,” Tan said.

“But (the design also incorporates innovative) modern accents such as the lit wall and vertical drapes, colored mood lights and mirrors that made the one-story structure evolve into a fusion of contemporary and subtle Greek commoner residence,” he further explained.

According to Tan, Bistro Mondo’s form is simple and honest as they did not want to be strict over perfect neat lines. On the contrary, they chose “rough but clean, dull edges.”

BUDGET restriction was not evident in the bistro’s bar and interiors

Bistro Mondo also sports high ceilings and full frameless windows that allow natural light to come in and showcase the interior during the day.

Tension fabric technology

But for Tan, what sets Bistro Mondo a cut above the rest is its use of the tension fabric technology.

“I think the tension fabric tent would be the focal point of the design. It’s the first of its kind in the area and we hope that it would serve as a come-on feature for present and future patrons,” Tan disclosed.

Currently, Bistro Mondo offers to its patrons three different dining areas—the main dining hall, the pizzeria and the al fresco dining area which is located at the second level.

“They can dine nicely and then hangout later on—all in one house,” he added.

With the superb dishes prepared by chef  Scudder and the warm lights and cozy interiors of Bistro Mondo, it won’t be long before this place become Makati’s new dining haven.