(SPOT.ph) It may come as an afterthought when dining at our favorite restaurants, but their designs play an integral part in what first drew us in. As the spaces that hold in them some of our most pleasurable experiences—a great meal, great company—design is part of the reason why we linger way after our plates get wiped out, and why we make that promise to return.
The word restaurant, after all, comes from the Latin verb restaurare, meaning “to restore” or “to renew” - they are places that nurture us. And who are the best at nurturing but women—whom we have the pleasure to celebrate this month? And in this feature, we celebrate in particular the women who designed some of our go-to spots when it’s nourishment we seek, comfort, warmth, an overall convivial experience. We meet six of them here and get to know what makes them do what they do and where it all started.
Lara Fernandez Barrios
Wildflour, Osteria Antica, Sugi and more
Lara Fernandez Barrios, principal architect of Larawan Ink, is easily one of the most prolific female architects in the F&B industry today. Chances are you’ve probably dined at a restaurant her firm has designed, with most of the establishments under the Wildflour Hospitality Group under her portfolio (Wildflour, Pink’s, Kei, and their newest restaurant in The Podium called Osteria Antica), as well as Florabel, Yellow Cab, Yabu, and Sugi’s new branch in Glorietta. Even Old Swiss Inn’s renovation was done under her watch.
“I've always been interested in the arts and design," says Lara. "At around 10 years old, I would go around with my aunts who were then building their houses. I would start cutting up pieces of paper, making layouts with furniture and other fixtures. Lego was also a big factor, because I loved Lego ever since I was young. I would make little houses. I think a lot of it was just exposure and realizing early on - at ten years old - that I was sure I wanted to go into either architecture or interior design.”
But specializing in restaurant design wasn't her original intent. "I used to work for C/S Design with Anna Sy because I really like her work. It’s more modern, clean lines, custom high end residential. So I thought that was the direction I was going." Designing restaurants gave her an opportunity to weigh her options. "Residential design is very different from restaurant design. The clientele is very different. Their goals are very different. I don’t usually do residential anymore because the timeline takes so much longer, because they don’t really have a deadline. Restaurants have to open at a designated time because they have to ROI. So there’s that pressure on us. I enjoy the fact that after a few months you’ll see it done and then you can start a new one.”
When not busy working, Lara likes to travel. In Tokyo, she can be found enjoying a meal at a small yakitori restaurant in the residential area of Meguro called Toriyoshi Yakitori, or having the bright citrus broth of Afuri’s ramen. She also loves anime. “My husband and I love watching anime. That’s kind of like how we bond over things,” shares Lara, naming Dan Da Dan and Spy X Family as items on her current list.
Also read: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Manila, According to Design Pros
Carol Karthe
Mantra, The Village Bar, Bibio, 180° by Saw
When not horseback riding along the mountains of New Zealand or surfing in Davao, Carol Karthe’s injecting her adventurous spirit in the spaces that she designs. Consider her bold teal color palette with cane furniture and a bar lined with terracotta pendant lights for Mantra, the popular Indian restaurant. And then there's her layered space with broken-in leather vintage furniture and weathered wood-clad walls for The Village Bar in Salcedo. Karthe, founder and creative director of Ladrilyo, is also responsible for the cult-favorite small natural wine bar in Poblacion called Bibio, and 180° by Chef Sau in Tagaytay.
When it comes to influences, Carol looks up to American interior designer Kelly Wearstler. “I like her passion for art, fashion and design, and for applying her glamorous sense of style to the world of interiors. I like how she creates an aesthetic that is an artful mix of contemporary and classic pieces, raw and defined elements and easy-going elegance." She also holds Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola in high regard. “Her design is clear and functional with a focus on natural materials and textures.”
Carol's cool personal style, her thoughtfulness, and warm, comforting vibe extends to the qualities she's drawn to in design. “I love the sophisticated blend of deep, rich tones and earthy hues creating a moody yet inviting atmosphere. I like objects to be more than simply functional. They have to speak to the senses and this sensory appeal often involves patina and the textures that come from working by hand. I have always enjoyed exploring the tension between old and new in my work.”
Of late, she finds herself experimenting with metal, or in her words "sleek, metallic design pieces that I can add to my current projects - especially ones inspired by Bauhaus and minimalism. I love the clean lines, industrial elegance and the way aluminum can feel both futuristic and timeless. It’s the perfect mix of functionality, sustainability and artistry that really draws me in. You will see some of them in my upcoming new projects.”
Charisse and Coleen Ong
Iai, Inatô
Studio Ong — led by sisters Charisse and Coleen Ong, Principal Architect and Principal Designer, respectively — has been on an upward trajectory since project managing a little known tea and cocktails bar in Legaspi Village called Ito. Since then, they've taken on the design of Inatô and Chef Bruce Ricketts’ Iai, as well as the renovation of Chef Jordy Navarra’s Toyo, which shot up to number 24 in the Asia's Best Restaurants list of 2024.
Being an architect didn’t feel like the clear path for Charisse at first. “It was a really slow burn for me. I just told myself, just do it and then wait until where it will take you,” she tells SPOT.ph. She became sure of her calling only after receiving her college degree and taking a trip to Milan.
Also read: Iai by Chef Bruce Ricketts and Jae Pickrell Shows the Fruits of their Ongoing Quest for Perfection
“It wasn’t even an architect that inspired me but just the people in Europe - the way they appreciate architecture and design in general. They really live and breathe design there. I saw how design impacted people and how normal people would talk about architects highly. Architect Renzo Piano was appointed Senator for life! I didn’t know that a country or a state could award someone to be a senator for life. You don’t think of that for an architect. So for someone to be given that, I thought, ‘So there’s really some purpose in this profession.’”
Coleen says her early exposure to the construction biz was a definite influence in her choice of career. “Our parents were contractors. So we were at construction sites every weekend. We were already exposed at an early age. I saw what they did for clients. I think somehow that influenced me." Her working partnership with sister Charisse (they have two other siblings) started when they were really young doing payroll together for their folks. "I was in charge of the bills, and [Coleen] was in charge of the coins," says Charisse. "Every Saturday we would go on site. We were trained that way. So indirectly our partnership and work dynamic already worked that way.”
Coleen counts Kelly Wearstler and Kelly Hoppen as designers she looks up to. "Also Zaha Hadid—she did so much and really thought outside the box, out of the norm. So it’s good to see that women can also do what people think only men can do.”
Isabel Lozano
Lanai at Antonio's Tagaytay, Willow Root, Saddle Room, Hapag and Aya
Interior Designer Isabel Lozano is no stranger to the F&B industry. Her first design project was none other than the Lanai Lounge at Antonio’s in Tagaytay. More recently, she worked closely with Ecotecture who led the interior design and architecture of Hapag and Aya. She designed the furniture, built-in shelvings, collaborated with E.Murio on the light installation, and chose some of the finishes to complete the modern and stately Filipino environs of the Powerplant Mall sister establishments. She also spruced up Willow Root and Saddle Room of the Manila Polo Club.
“Ever since I was young, one of the things I was fascinated with was travelling. My dad worked for the airline industry so it was a blessing to be able to travel a lot when I was younger. One thing I really fell in love with were palaces and castles that we would see in Spain or all over Europe. I would always draw them as a kid. I just had a fascination for how beautiful they were and how they made me feel when I was inside.”
Her mom was "a very big inspiration" for Isabel growing up. “My mom really wanted to be an interior designer - that’s what she told me. It wasn’t in the cards for her basically because she became a full time mom after meeting my dad while she was a stewardess. I grew up in a home that she would constantly fix and decorate really beautifully.
Asked if she has a signature look, she says, "I’m not the kind of designer who will say, let me design something for you and leave. I’m very hands on with my clients. One of the good things that stems from that is I make new friendships which means a lot to me because my work is really personal. I try to create a space that their soul really can feel safe and happy in. Design is not just about making something look pretty. I try to evoke a lot of emotion in it.”
Sarah Canlas
12/10, Ruby's
Whether it’s the chic moodiness of 12/10’s interiors or the nostalgic touches of the bar Ruby’s in QC, architect Sarah Canlas’ designs seek to highlight the people behind the restaurant, enjoying projects that can uplift the quality of life of the community around them.
“My earliest influence came from my dad who is an economist but was always an architecture aficionado,” says Canlas, principal architect of Greener and Partners. “I would see him sketch floor plans on his papers at breakfast, and he surrounded us with design books and magazines. Later on, summers spent in Chicago exposed me to Midcentury architecture and urban design so the curiosity only grew from there.”
Her naturally curious mind finds her admiring many different designers, spanning a variety of disciplines. “At the moment I’m interested in permaculture design, how to prioritize the natural environment over those of structures,” she tells Spot. “I love the quietude of Peter Zumthor’s work and the sensuality of Mexican and Brazilian modernists”
For Sarah, the best restaurants nurture and nourish the soul. “I prefer restaurants where the guests feel like welcome visitors to someone’s home instead of being bombarded with gimmicks all around. It makes the dining experience more memorable whether dining alone or with company. The space has to be a feast for all the senses.”
Also read: The Most Beautiful Bars in Manila, According to Design Pros