▏Gallina Restaurant A Nexus of Art, Design & Gastronomy Opens its Doors in Athens

▏As you know, here at Yatzer, we are always on the lookout for inspiring projects in the fields of art, design and gastronomy, so when we heard about a new restaurant in Athens conceived as a nexus of all three disciplines, we were eager to visit. Located in the Acropolis-adjacent neighbourhood of Koukaki, Gallina combines a cosmopolitan menu fusing Greek, French and Scandinavian influences by award-winning Chef Pavlos Kiriakis, with bespoke art-filled interiors interweaving industrial, modernist and contemporary influences, courtesy of architects Eleni Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis, the creative duo behind New York and Athens-based architecture practice LOT office for architecture and its sibling, design studio Objects of Common Interest. Known for their non-doctrinal approach to design, cross-cultural sensibility and experimental ethos, Petaloti and Trampoukis were the ideal partners for owner and collector Philippos Tsangrides to create a venue that reflects his artistic vision and globetrotting sensibility. Featuring an eclectic art collection of contemporary Greek artists alongside custom-made furnishings, the 38-seat eatery blurs the line between artistic practice and industrial design in line with its culinary fusion of high-end gastronomy and hearty bistro dining.

▏Housed on the ground floor of a modernist office building, the space feels light and airy despite its compact footprint thanks to its double-height  floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows on two sides. The architects offset the venue’s underlying industrial character by cladding the bar counter and mezzanine level at the back of the space with reddish-brown wood panelling, conveying a sense of mid-century-modern elegance as well as imbuing the space with warmth. The wood’s softness is playfully juxtaposed with red marble table and counter tops, stainless-steel elements and the terrazzo flooring that artist Vasilis Papageorgiou custom-made for the restaurant using large marble and ceramic pieces, the latter hand-painted in sunset hues.

Bringing everything together are the pink-hued chairs that Petaloti and Trampoukis designed as a tribute to Gallina’s collector-owner. The aptly named “Philip Chair” is in essence a balancing act of contrasting materials, featuring a rigid stainless-steel frame, draped with a flexible, custom-cast semi-transparent gel layer, a material that they love to use in their design studio. Also by their studio is a custom-designed “Tube Light“, a sinuous light column that snakes its way from the floor to the ceiling.

▏Prominently displayed next to the light installation is a large hand-knotted wool and silk tapestry by artist Jannis Varelas, part of the Art Rug Projects by Soutzoglou, which adds vibrant pops of colour in the otherwise muted colour scheme. Like Papageorgiou who designed the terrazzo floorings, Varelas belongs to a group of contemporary Greek artists that feature prominently in Tsangrides’ art collection and whose work is showcased in Gallina. Additional artworks on display include a painting by the late Stelios Faitakis, who rose to prominence by combining Greek Orthodox iconography with street art, Olga Migliaressi-Phoca’s whimsical “SEXIST Sign” which makes for a double take, and a slender bronze sculpture by Rallou Panagiotou. Rounding up the décor are sconces by iconic 20th century designer Charlotte Perriand and light pendants by marble atelier on•entropy.

▏The medley of art, artisanship and industrial design is reflected in Chef Pavlos Kiriakis’ culinary proposition which combines high-end gastronomy with a comfort food sensibility. Fusing Greek, French and Scandinavian flavours and techniques, the menu’s cosmopolitan flair is creatively balanced by hearty recipes with dishes such as ‘pithivier’ pie with pigeon, foie-gras, eel and mushrooms, grilled turbot with an Assyrtiko wine and caper sauce, and caviar-topped Basque cheesecake topped with caviar supplied by Fine Foods Collection, the country’s leading purveyor of luxury, gourmet and premium food products. An extensive wine list perfectly complements Gallina’s culinary offerings featuring over 500 listings with a focus on natural wines, curated by sommelier Giannis Gougoutoudis. Showcased prominently on the mezzanine level, a space reserved for private dining and wine tasting, the wine bottle display forms a symbolic triad with the aforementioned vibrant tapestry by Varelas and the colossal Tube Light, all three being visible from the street, heralding Gallina as a nexus of art, design and gastronomy.

Om onvervangbaar te zijn, moet je altijd anders zijn.
Er zijn fascinerende beelden hier, en de fascinerende dag van samen!  xo
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Ci sono immagini affascinanti qui, e l’affascinante giornata di insieme!  xo KanikaChic