Fonda is the highly-anticipated opening from acclaimed chef Santiago Lastra and MJMK Restaurants. Named after the informal and communal style of family-owned eateries found across Mexico, A-nrd wanted to create a metaphorical home-away-from-home for Lastra, where local inspired cuisines and a convivial spirit combine with a contemporary twist. Taking inspiration from the Casonas of Mexico (traditional farmhouses) where everything revolves around the kitchen, the studio wanted to bring this homely, intimate feel to the new restaurant space. Upon entering Fonda from buzzy Heddon Street, guests can check-in and depart from the outside world before being transported through an amber-glazed seeded glass enclosure into a wonderland of craft and colour. 

Leading on from the entrance is an impressive bespoke cocktail bar. Designed by A-nrd, a soft, muted pink limewashed façade and cherry stained oak counter with farmhouse detailing is juxtaposed by glossy textured cobalt blue tiles. Visually balancing the bar, a long 8-seat booth designed by the studio is upholstered in a tactile apricot-hued weave. dorning the soft pink and yellow textured wall here is a bespoke creation from Mexican artist and studio friend Fernando Laposse - ‘Of Bugs and Buds’. Located within the left side of the main space is the open-air kitchen complete with comals – this is the heart of Fonda. It was important to A-nrd that every seat in the restaurant had a view to the kitchen to create a sense of connectivity and theatricality which was achieved by creating a fully exposed kitchen and pastry desk which flows directly into the cocktail bar.

The design language at play and materiality further borrow from the style of the Casonas. With a traditionally inspired farmhouse style façade and canopy, the kitchen features neutral-toned ceramic tiles applied in a very honest and raw way with no trims. This humble and straightforward approach to the design mixes matte and gloss tile finishes alongside contrasting cobalt blue and tan tiles. This focal point and its theatricality evoke a feeling of warm hospitality and comfort. Flooding the rear of the space with natural light is a large skylight. A large bespoke communal table that can be joined together to seat 8 is located here and features further accent chairs designed by A-nrd which are again upholstered in a recycled textured weave.

Here, the stairwell to the lower ground floor is also located and can’t be missed thanks to a large pink sloth by Laposse. ‘Wild Beast’ is a shaggy pink creation woven with agave fibre and natural dyes. Downstairs a continued use of pink limewash and ochre micro concrete extends the colour palette from ground floor down to lower level, leading to the lower ground cocktail bar. 

Painted in comforting rose limewash, the moody basement has a monochromatic aesthetic and features a graphic bar designed by the studio. The focal point of the space, with a red travertine countertop, its cherry pink glossy tiled façade features recessed geometric shapes finished in micro concrete. An illuminated back bar continues the use of simple graphic shapes and bar stools designed by the studio feature leather seat pads in a soft apricot hued.