California Restaurant Embraces a Rustic Italian Flair
Drawing inspiration from both the Mediterranean and California, Fia is a newly opened restaurant in Santa Monica, Calif., designed to embody a costal aesthetic that matches its seafood-influenced menu.
Owner Michael Greco tapped the lauded Matthew Winter of M. Winter Design—an L.A.-based studio with a penchant for sourcing vintage elements—to bring to life his vision of a magical backyard on the Italian coast. Winter transformed the 11,000-square-foot, 300-seat indoor and outdoor space—previously home to other restaurant concepts—into a verdant hideaway in the heart of Santa Monica. The firm uncovered and restored old brick beneath the existing walls, and sourced rare vintage furnishings for the space, including rustic tables and chairs and wrought-iron window treatments.
"Fia is a pleasant surprise in the heart of Santa Monica," says Winter. "The sprawling courtyard is ideal for romantic dinners, while the interior bar is a great spot for friends or coworkers to meet up after work. I really wanted the atmosphere to capture an Old World feel. With the use of raw materials and antique finishes, I feel I was able to capture that."
Inside the restaurant, the bar boasts emerald green Spanish tile, and the front dining space features a library-style room with a wall adorned by antique paintings.
Derived from the name Fiacre, the patron saint of gardens, Fia features an expansive, multi-level outdoor patio with lush ferns, native palms, and flowers throughout. Playful elements, like an outdoor bocce ball court, underscore the restaurant's identity as a social destination and oasis in the heart of L.A.'s Westside.
Home, sweet, home. Fia's indoor dining room features a wrought iron window treatment, vintage artwork, and a large area rug meant to create the feeling of dining in an estate on the Amalfi Coast.
A cozy corner. This indoor dining room nook showcases the building's original brick walls, which were uncovered by Matthew Winter during the renovation.
Cuisine and culture. Lined with books, The Library Room at Fia displays vintage nude oil paintings on the walls. The chandelier in this room, which is often used for private events, was preserved from the space's previous tenant.
Inspired by the sea. An original painting by Matt Winter hangs on the wall in The Desmond, Fia's indoor bar. The fish is a nod to the seafood-influenced, California-meets-Amalfi Coast menu created by decorated chef Brendan Collins.
Fit for a feast. Fia's garden features a long communal table where diners can chat and break bread amid the lush greenery. Since opening, the Tuscan gravel (pictured) has been replaced with wood paneling. The outdoor bar is designed with an Italian-influenced, elevated seating area and fireplace overlooking the rest of the garden.
Wine and dine. Designed with "Old World" charm, Fia's indoor bar, The Desmond, offers an exclusive happy hour and bar menu to be enjoyed barside or at one of the softly-lit cafe tables.
Lighting the way. The fireplace at Fia's indoor bar emits the warm, rustic vibe of a European estate. The antique, exposed brick is inviting and underscores the Old World sensibility.
