Simplicity and style are the order of the day at the Blackman Hotel’s Classico restaurant, says Ola Bednarczuk.

When the Blackman Hotel in Melbourne’s bustling St Kilda Road district set out to create a restaurant that captured the essence of traditional Italian cuisine, it looked to architects Foong + Sormann for the perfect dining space.

The call was for a design that reflected the elegance and timelessness of Italian food.

“We knew the menu was to contain produce-driven, typically Italian dishes void of clever tricks, and our design took the same approach,” explains Jamie Sormann of Foong + Sormann.

“We wanted the fit-out to showcase a traditional palette of materials in a simple and contemporary way.”

The resulting space showcases a modern take on a classic style, with clean lines and smooth finishes.

Sormann and fellow architect Jo Foong chose Pietra Griggio marble floors and Carrara marble benchtops, complemented by dark timber wall panels and a ceiling of walnut-stained cedar, to create a look that, as Sormann describes, is “not just luxurious but also familiar and inviting”. 

The interplay between light and dark is matched by Foong and Sormann’s creative use of space.

Two narrow corridors with bar and banquette seating create a sense of intimacy, while window-side tables for large groups and a standing area by the restaurant’s Salumeria provide a relaxed and open setting with views onto Arthur Street and the hotel foyer.

Hotel patrons and Melbourne locals alike are treated to fresh and authentic Italian fare in a setting that oozes quality and ambience.

Classico at The Blackman Hotel
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