Modern restaurant with high black stools, wooden bar, and bottles.
The term “bistronomie” emerged in France in the early nineties to reconcile haute cuisine with the more relaxed culture of the bistro. “It was a response to the demand for wanting to try the cuisine made in large and expensive restaurants, but in a more accessible way,” explained Alberto Laposse, head of the Levain & Co group, which includes Cumpanio among its restaurants: an excellent example of the bistronomie trend adapted to San Miguel de Allende.
Cumpanio was founded in 2011, based on Laposse’s personal experiences in Mexico and France, and his Italian family roots. Therefore, its emphasis is on Franco-Italian bakery and pastry. Its name originates from the Latin word “compagnon,” which means “companion” in Spanish. Cumpanio is, therefore, “with whom you share the bread.”
“This type of establishment represents a very pleasant challenge for interior design, restaurant equipment, and especially for the chefs,” said architect Alberto Laposse. Cumpanio evokes the “spirit and refinement of Franco-Italian cuisine” through architecture and interior design that are especially congruent with these concepts, involving a lot of artisanal and local work in their execution.
World cuisine, colonial architecture
Cumpanio’s contemporary proposal, both in its menu and in the restaurant’s interior design, coexists with a colonial and historical city like San Miguel de Allende. “In many places around the world, centenary architecture has been preserved with great care, and San Miguel de Allende is one of them,” reflected Laposse. “The city has managed to maintain the colonial legacy that has led it to be recognized as a World Heritage Site.”
For the architect and baker, colonial buildings and mansions are true treasures that “the people of San Miguel care for with dedication.” It is a context that both designers and chefs value, resulting in architectural interventions that seek to highlight construction materials and traditions, as well as local products.
Source: Ad Magazine
