If the ambience of Osteria Betulla feels heavenly, that’s because the architects leaned into the concept of a “food temple” — one that resembles a minimalist, sunshine-filled European chapel. In a space that transitions from dark to light, the experience begins at the shrouded entrance, continues to a small dining hall — its pasta-making table taking on the significance of an altar — and culminates with the great open hall, where the banquettes evoke church pews and the arch-like window jambs are lowered to seating height for maximum illumination. Along with these gestures, the firm created a vaulted ceiling that seamlessly merges with the walls, all in white plaster, to give the space its sculpted feel.
Team Julia Kubitskaya and Maria Romanova with Anna Lvovskaya, Fedor Goreglyad and Boris Lvovskiy
The dining experience at Osteria Betulla transitions from light to dark, culminating in the great open hall.