fbpx
Close

A look inside Monno Ristorante – a new trattoria designed by Aces of Space

A new trattoria in Dubai sets artisanal quality at the centre of its menu and its design

We love a homegrown concept and Monno Ristorante is the latest venue on our radar: an artisanal Italian eatery in the heart of Dubai’s Jumeirah neighbourhood.

The villa is charming and rustic, and the restaurant prides itself on its honesty, be it in the ingredients of its curated menu compiled by the owners – who are both pilots – and head chef Federico Bartoli, or in the design, which is not unlike a classic trattoria found on the back streets of quaint Italian towns.

The love for Italian design and cuisine clearly informs the overall experience, which oozes a rustic simplicity that suspends one reality’s of being in the hustle and bustle of urban Dubai. The bar area features a live pizza oven, while the main dining room and covered terrace are bathed in natural light and adorned with tables and chairs made from natural wood, as well as nostalgic chequered flooring, olive trees, jade green furnishings and cream linens.

“To capture the nostalgic Italian style, the materials form a key part of the design,” shares Andrew Theunissen, head of design and founder of Aces of Space. The honed stone floor is sourced from Italy and has been hand cut and laid in a contemporary version of a traditional Italian marble floor. European oak wood was used throughout the space, and sandblasted to achieve an aged look, while the walls have been manually patinated to allow for the rustic style to set.

“The plaster, wood and stone finishes form the backbone of the classic look of the restaurant. From classic Italian moulding details on the tabletops to the classic slatted bar counter finish – they all come together to speak the same aesthetic and design language,” Theunissen concludes.

Read more features here.

The Latest

Elevating Saudi Arabia’s Design Scene

We interview Mette Degn-Christensen, Director of Downtown Design on the fair’s inaugural Riyadh edition

AATI Store in Jumeirah

Aati opens a new showroom in Jumeirah

With a new 800-square-metre location on Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Road, Aati strengthens its position as the Middle East’s definitive destination for luxury interiors.

What’s New: The Linealight Collection

The new releases by the brand at Euroluce 2025 blend technology and aesthetics

MOLTENI

A Greater Evolution

VVD kitchen by Vincent Van Duysen evolves with elevated detail

HACKER

Silent Move

A work surface by Häcker Kitchen can help transcend boundaries in your space

A Strong and Dramatic Appeal

Three new pearl-effect colours add a sophisticated touch to Musa

Uniting Culture, History and Cuisine

In the heart of Sharjah, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi reimagines the meaning of home through a soulful, sensory experience inspired by the Silk Road

In Perfect Harmony

Saya Studio has completed a music room that reflects contemporary eclecticism

Wabi-Sabi Sanctuary

Japanese aesthetics, fashion influences and nature meet in the Portland home of interior designer Jeanne Feldkamp

A Surreal Tribute

“Water, salt and olive oil. That’s what it takes to survive,” says designer Philippe Starck, who created the new La Almazara olive oil museum outside Ronda, Spain

Big and Quiet

The new Dyson Purifier Big+Quiet Formaldehyde BP03 is perfect for open-plan spaces

Bridging the Past, Present and Future

Ignacio Gomez, Global Design Principal at Aedas reflects on the firm’s two decades in the Middle East