A 2,300-square-foot restaurant in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District, Scarpetta blends rich textures, modern restraint, and Italian soul—capturing the spirit of “Urban Milan meets Tuscany.”
Scarpetta New York is a 2,300-square-foot dining destination envisioned by chef Scott Conant and brought to life by S. Russell Groves. Located at the edge of Manhattan’s vibrant Meatpacking District, the design mirrors Conant’s celebrated culinary style—honest, warm, and rooted in Italian tradition, yet modern in interpretation.
Rich textures, custom materials, and an elegant interplay of old and new create a space that feels sophisticated, inviting, and unmistakably Italian with a contemporary edge.
The primary challenge was to translate Conant’s concept of “Urban Milan meets Tuscany” into a cohesive interior that balanced rustic warmth with sleek metropolitan sensibility.
The design needed to accommodate two distinct zones—a front café and a main dining room—while ensuring a unified experience. The studio also sought to integrate strong textural contrasts without overwhelming the intimate scale of the space, all while preserving the authenticity of Conant’s vision.
The solution was a refined, textural design that harmonizes tradition with modernity. Custom backlit panels composed of thin aged beechwood veneer layered between sheets of clear glass establish the restaurant’s signature contrast of warm wood against cool transparency. In the café, an ebonized turn-of-the-century mahogany bar topped with white Carrara marble sets the tone, complemented by reclaimed wood paneling, soft whitewashed brick, and mercury-glass pendant lights that cast a silvery glow.
The main dining room embraces a more rustic sensibility with a retractable glass roof framed by rough-hewn timber beams. A random grid of white cork wall treatment pairs seamlessly with ochre-hued banquettes and period-inspired adjustable sconces. Wall mirrors suspended from orange belted straps introduce both industrial character and unexpected color. By night, a constellation of small dim bulbs—housed in glass box fixtures and suspended individually—creates a soft, twinkling ambiance reflected in the skylight’s panes.
The result is a warm yet sophisticated environment that perfectly encapsulates Conant’s culinary identity. Its acclaim has extended well beyond the dining room, with Scarpetta featured in The New York Times, Elle Décor, The New Yorker, The Daily News, and highlighted in Esquire’s “Best New Restaurants of 2008.”
The Groves & Co. team doesn’t just design spaces—they create environments that tell a story. Their expertise and collaborative approach made the process seamless, and the end result is a space that inspires everyone who walks through our doors.
Working with Groves & Co. was a transformative experience. Their team brought our vision to life with such precision and artistry, creating a home that feels both elevated and deeply personal. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, and the final result surpassed our expectations.
