Based loosely on the informality of the Venetian Bacaro and a sense of place that was more Meat Packing District, New York than Holywood, County Down, il Pirata’s concept of small rustic Italian dishes to share set to challenge the preconceptions of the Northern Irish diner on their associations with Italian restaurants and dining in Northern Ireland in general.

As a counterpoint to the voluminous industrial space we inherited, and wanted to embrace, we worked hard to simplify the various elements in the space, so that together there was a coherence of detail and lightness of touch which delivers a delicate balance between the vastness of an uncompromising, edgy space and a warm and cosy eating experience.

Constructed in 2012, at around half the cost of the industry standard, Oscar&Oscar delivered a project in which we also sourced and supplied most of the finishes (lighting/floor/tiling/wood-block/heavy timbers) together with the majority of the furnishings and fittings.

Photography by Adele Smyth Kennedy