10 restaurants and cafes for savouring the Christmas spirit

Cinnamon, candles, red, green, white, wood, rugs, velvet, fairy lights, fires, chocolate, wallpaper, boiserie and stained glass - all the ingredients you need for concocting the Christmas spirit, without necessarily indulging in totally over-the-top commercial  decorativism. Come to think of it, these are ingredients that we look for all year round and this selection of bars, restaurants and cafés around the world caters to our need for physical, spiritual and tasteful warmth.  

Marchesi 1824, Milan

Designed by Roberto Baciocchi of Baciocchi Associati, which boasts clients such as Prada and Miu Miu, the Pasticceria Marchesi 1824 at 9 Via Montenapoleone in Milan features Verde Alpi green marble floors and coverings, pink velvets for the chairs and panels, and shiny brass details for the finishes and profiles. The horizontal windows serve to underscore the product display, while the  lighting set into the false ceilings creates uniform and unobtrusive lighting. The classic elements are revisited with essential geometries for a minimal but enveloping design language. 
 

Le Coucou, New York

A French restaurant in New York with cuisine by the international chef Daniel Rose, and designed by the New York-based interior design studio Roman and Williams, founded by Stephen Alesch and Robin Standefer. The design for Le Coucou combines industrial elements, such as classic exposed brickwork and steel beams, with details that warm the ambiance, from big chandeliers to bespoke furnishing. The lighting has been contrived to foster an intimate atmosphere, emphasised by the parquet and its combination with retro drapes and furnishings.   

Casadonna, Miami

Housed in the historic Miami Women’s Club building, Casadonna bears the signature of interior designer Ken Fulk, known for his opulent interiors reminiscent of  set designs of yesteryear. Channelling a palette of pinks and blues, the space was inspired by a mixture of Italian Renaissance palaces, French Rococo and the tropical atmosphere of Miami. Spaces include the Courtyard Bar with a double-height atrium and retractable roof, the Garden Dining Room with terracotta tiles and floral fabrics, and the Loggia Dining Room with Murano glass chandeliers and coffered ceilings. The kitchen offers traditional Italian coastal dishes, reinterpreted in a contemporary key, with influences from cities such as Naples, Taormina and Positano.
 

Abrielle, Toronto

The Canadian DesignAgency designed the Abrielle restaurant inspired by a Mediterranean muse, employing a palette of warm neutrals, burgundy and ocean-inspired shades. Situated in Toronto’s vibrant King Street West leisure district, it serves breakfast, brunch and dinner surrounded by oversized shell-patterned pendant lights, a mirrored reception desk and stone finishes that envelop visitors.  
 

Stella, Los Angeles

Located in West Hollywood, Stella is an Italian restaurant designed by the Los Angeles-based Wendy Haworth Design Studio. The interior is inspired by Fifties Italy, with architectural details that include precious wood and vintage furnishings. The multi-level space includes private dining rooms, swathed in wallpaper and boiserie. The kitchen is presided over by the chef Rob Gentile, and offers modern interpretations of traditional Italian dishes, with the emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients.