SARTIANO’S
Italian-American RestaurantNew York - 2023
Illustrations ︎Collateral Design ︎Environmental Design ︎Packaging Design
Summary
I was engaged to design a suite of visual assets for Sartiano’s, a refined Italian-American restaurant in New York City founded by renowned lifestyle architect Scott Sartiano. My work focused on crafting distinctive physical and digital elements that brought warmth, history, and character to the guest experience. Key contributions included:- Custom Illustrations: Created hand-drawn illustrations—including a detailed depiction of Sarteano, the Tuscan village from which the Sartiano name originates—highlighting the restaurant’s deep-rooted connection to heritage and place.
- Collateral Design: Designed printed and digital menus, custom espresso cups, ice cream cups and cart, and takeout packaging such as paper bags and mailing boxes—each carefully considered to reflect Sartiano’s elevated but personal sensibility.
- Interior Details: Contributed to the design of interior accents, including printed lampshade patterns, helping to shape the restaurant’s intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
- Special Packaging & Invitations: Designed a range of tactile and digital pieces for the restaurant’s opening, including printed invitations and a limited-edition “Golden Ticket” chocolate bar package inspired by Willy Wonka, adding a layer of charm to the guest experience.
Goal
The objective was to help express Sartiano’s story through design—bringing to life a space that feels both luxurious and nostalgic. Drawing on themes of family, tradition, and the warmth of home, the visual elements I created complemented the existing brand direction and deepened the emotional connection between the space and its guests.Client
Sartiano’s is the vision of Scott Sartiano, one of the world’s most prominent lifestyle architects. Inspired by the life and legacy of his Italian grandparents, the restaurant serves as an ode to heritage, tradition, and the idea of coming home. Sartiano’s is located on the ground floor of the iconic The Mercer Hotel in SoHo—blending timeless Italian roots with the sophistication and energy of downtown New York. It was a pleasure to contribute to the visual language of a space so rich in culture, history, and emotional resonance.*This project was completed on behalf of &LANA, and collaborated with the &LANA creative team throughout the entire process.