RODE Architects uses hospitality trends
to design five restaurants

Newport, RI RODE Architects has unveiled five new hospitality projects during summer and fall 2023, showcasing modern interior design trends for restaurants in Massachusetts and Rhode Island: Mother Pizzeria, in Newport, RI; Gufo, in Cambridge, MA; Bueno Malo, in Andover, MA; Baleia, in Boston; and Drawdown Brewing Company, in Boston.

“These new restaurant projects reflect the tone and character of each location and, in several cases, represent expansions or re-openings of establishments impacted by the pandemic,” said Jessica Haley, principal and director of interior design for RODE.

Each of the five restaurants is expected to open this summer and fall:

• Mother Pizzeria, RODE’s first restaurant project in RI, opened in July at 49 Long Wharf Mall. Designed with tin tile ceiling and a black-and-white marble bar that serves as the focal point of the space, the traditional yet modern, comfortable and inviting upscale pizzeria offers 112 seats, including counter seating and high tops for a slice on the go or a quick cocktail, with a deluxe Neapolitan-style brick pizza oven. Mother Pizzeria incorporates mixtures of light and dark warm wood tones and a play on a classic tile floor pattern throughout the restaurant.

• Gufo, a modern take on the classic casual, laid-back Italian dining experience, opened in early August at the site of the former Loyal Nine at 660 Cambridge St. A relocated entrance will provide visitors with direct access to a café-style space with espresso, coffee, and a pizza oven, then onto the main dining space with an expanded bar, or to a three-season porch. The flexible layout and semi-private dining nook will be suitable for events.

• Bueno Malo, a casual Mexi-Cali restaurant at 93 Main St., opened its first phase in the spring. The casual taco joint expanded into a neighboring space to create two connected dining rooms as well as a creative photo-op area with a custom-designed mural and exposed brick. Along with lime-wash walls, playful lighting features and quirky wall décor, each dining room has a feel that, together, creates a day-night duology mirroring the “Bueno Malo” name.

• Baleia, a 140-seat Portuguese-inspired dining experience, will open this fall at 264 E. Berkeley St. With a Mediterranean vibe, geometric elements and a built-in serpentine booth, Baleia will feature an upscale copper-chain “net” that evokes a Mediterranean fishing aesthetic. The design includes a 14-seat bar plus counter-height seating around a “tree island” to create a cozy feel.

• Drawdown Brewing Company, at 3204 Washington St., which will open this fall, is an innovative local brewery and taproom offering both proven favorites and creative small batch brews. Drawdown is located in the ground floor retail space of 3200 Washington St., a RODE-designed multifamily residential development in Jamaica Plain.

“We’re delighted to see our collaboration with RODE’s design team result in an elegant, warm and timeless restaurant that will inspire our guests in Newport for decades to come,” said Lauren Schaefer of Mother Pizzeria. “RODE was able to take our vision of a fun but elevated style pizzeria and make it a reality. From the sprawling marble bar, the deep green velvet upholstery to the pizza toilet bathroom wallpaper, RODE made sure every detail was thought through and we are thrilled with the result.”