Ristorante Sabatini on Newcastle’s Quayside is a family run restaurant with a pedigree of some 25 years. The food is Sardinian and the interior reflects the traditional trattoria seen throughout most of the UK which is now beginning to feel tired. Fabrizio Saba is the owner of the restaurant and approached QSF to undertake the evolution of the venue.
Set within an old listed shipping registered building on Newcastle’s famous Quayside; nestled between the historical Tyne Bridge and boutique hotels, bars and duplex apartments the restaurant needed to reflect the modern complexes surrounding. Fabrizio wanted to capture the passing trade by introducing a cocktail lounge to the already popular restaurant. QSF proposed a contemporary interior with an Italian twist. Stripping back the unit unearthed many obstacles including damp and rotten timberwork. The problems were absorbed into the programme and tested the project management skills of the team.
Due to the narrow nature of the building, the design aimed to create a more open space using framed silver backed mirrors, combined with a palate of warm colours and ambient lighting. A twist of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel saw the introduction of digital prints in sepia to the ceiling bays lit to the perimeter with ultra bright LED strips (providing economy of use).
The Cocktail Lounge was to reflect a more homely/ library feel where one could wile away the hours. A large Flemish chandelier was coupled with an oversized granite fire surround and log fire. These were sourced by the team from reclamation yards. Pinspot lighting was used to provide intimacy and localised lighting to the tables.
The scheme was all to take place with a minimal amount of closure with consideration to the economic climate under which the project unfolded. This entailed just a 2 week closure period.
“Following the successful completion of Fratelli’s in Ponteland, I contacted QSF to look at my other restaurant. With the economic climate looking bleak, I needed to keep ahead of the competition and a new look for the next 25 years. My budget was very limited and I relied heavily on QSF experience to ensure the project would be completed both within the timeframe and budgets. Very happy and looking forward to working on the next phase of works.”
Fabrizio Saba, Owner