ASR’s renovation not only elevates DOP’s aesthetic appeal but thoughtfully reimagines its spatial organization. Upon entering, guests step into the bar area, a double-height, light-filled space that sets the tone with its understated grandeur where grey-hued terrazzo surfaces on both the floor and lower parts of the walls are paired with wood panelling providing a tactile contrast that balances vibrancy with warmth. Vertical chandeliers, custom-designed for the project, add to the scheme’s contemporary flair, as do bespoke red leather barstools and lounge chairs that boldly animate the otherwise muted colour palette, creating an inviting environment for both casual drinks and pre-dinner gatherings. These red accents subtly echo the restaurant’s neon sign, prominently displayed on the historic façade. Spelling the restaurant’s name in lowercase letters, the ‘dop’ logo reinforces the establishment’s striking visual identity, offering a taste of the bold yet harmonious design that awaits within.

Transitioning from the bar, guests enter the main dining room, where the design shifts to a more intimate and subdued palette. Here, amber lighting reflects off mirrored upper walls, creating a warm and cocoon-like atmosphere. Custom leather banquettes in peanut hues and wood detailing define the space, while strategically placed reflective surfaces not only enhance the room’s visual depth but also enable staff to anticipate diners’ needs seamlessly. The open kitchen, visible through glass doors, becomes a stage for Chef aula’s Michelin-starred artistry, while a discreet wine cellar caters to connoisseurs with its climate-controlled displays and tasting areas.

The dining area extends to the mezzanine level upstairs where a curved balcony overlooks the bar below. Evoking the pulpits of Portuguese monasteries, this feature offers a unique vantage point whilst also tying the restaurant’s two floors together, aided further by two semicircular floor openings, thereby preventing the mezzanine’s floor plate bisecting the double-height windows.

Interestingly, ASR’s most audacious intervention was reserved for the bathrooms. Accessible via a red marble staircase framed by kaleidoscopic mirrors, the bathrooms are swathed in a camouflage pattern of black and white stripes that transforms them into dazzling, three-dimensional canvases. As much a visual spectacle as they are functional, the bathrooms’ design embodies the restaurant’s commitment to delighting its guests at every turn, as well as attest to the power of thoughtful design in transforming historic spaces.