ISONO Eatery & Bar
The materials and palette of Isono draws inspiration from the modern Basque-influenced fare it offers, juxtaposed alongside the heritage elements and architecture of the site. In Isono, a dark sultry timber wall finish is balanced against the light airy private rooms on both sides of the restaurant.

Floors are tiled with reclaimed wood planks and baked bricks, enhancing the space with an al fresco quality. A theatrical tapas bar dominates the centre of Isono’s main dining room where guests will be served a wide menu of wines as they nibble away at tapas served in the traditional manner. Furniture and fittings are a mix of new and vintage, with a particular focus on pieces that highlight craftsmanship and artistry to celebrate and reflect the creative energy housed within PMQ.

Lighting in Isono is warm and golden with industrious and artisanal fittings highlighting the space as an arts and cultural hub. Exposed steel structural columns have been kept in their raw form, with newly upholstered leather banquettes and seating designed to form cosy seating areas. Soaring above Isono, Vasco’s suspended balcony is monumental and Brutalist in form with its armature-like silhouette and copper cabling woven to create an intimate retreat for private dining.

Vasco
Vasco, the more formal dining room, is perched on the mezzanine level adjacent to an inviting balcony area overlooking the PMQ Cube. Lens- patterned glass within metal framework encloses the perimeter of the Vasco main dining room. The translucency of the glass allows the diners in Isono to observe the movement and lighting of the floor above and at the same time allows diners in Vasco to dine in privacy.

Colours of gold, burnt caramel, deep green and tar reference the aging process of Spain’s celebrated olive oil but also references the dominant palette of colours evident in the mid-Century era of Europe and in the US. Vasco is clad with exotic marble paneling, dimly lit onyx ceilings and furniture with an art-deco silhouette. Black lacquered floors extend to the balcony outside, incorporating the slim balcony space into the restaurant. With a feature circular private balcony suspended over Isono, Vasco diners have the best seats to enjoy film projections over the double-height wall.

Designed by Joyce Wang
Photography by Edmon Leong