Zaytinya New York: Rockwell Group Reimagines the Mediterranean Interior
Zaytinya's New York restaurant pairs José Andrés's Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with an interior by Rockwell Group. The design has the challenge of expressing a broad geographic and culinary reference without making the dining room feel like a literal set. Its solution is restrained architectural warmth animated by concentrated moments of blue, texture and hand-crafted detail.
An architectural backdrop for mezze
White oak and bronze establish the neutral foundation. Curved surfaces and soft transitions help the room read as welcoming rather than monumental, allowing the movement of diners and the shared-meal format to supply much of its energy. The studio's description places particular emphasis on keeping the environment sophisticated but familiar.
Blue as a narrative accent
The bar is a focal point, shaped by blue lavastone and a curved arrangement of blue glass discs. Rockwell Group links this composition to the Greek evil-eye motif. The colour references the Mediterranean while remaining concentrated enough to stand out against timber, warmer metals and pale finishes elsewhere in the restaurant.
The atmosphere made by craft
Over the main dining area, woven textile pendants hang at varying heights. Their linen shades carry hand-painted illustrations created by The Alpha Workshops in collaboration with the design team. These details lend a local sense of making to an otherwise expansive cultural reference, bringing the scale of the design back to the table.
The New York location is a separate design project within the Zaytinya name; its interiors should not be illustrated with images from a different branch.
Project credits
Project: Zaytinya, New York, USA. Interior design: Rockwell Group. Clients listed by the practice: José Andrés Group and Flag Luxury Group. Photographer and image permissions are pending verification.
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