Rising more than two meters high and spanning 8.5 meters across, the monumental artwork envelops the hood of the open grill, serving as a dramatic focal point that anchors the dining room.

The art piece is composed of individually crafted metal elements, meticulously assembled together to form a unified, sculptural composition that unfolds across the open kitchen. Each fragment is distinguished by its own nuanced finish and tactile texture, creating a richly stratified surface that subtly shifts with changing light and movement. Handcrafted by De Castelli from original drawings by artist Jesse Willems, the installation dissolves the boundaries between art and architecture, elevating a functional kitchen element into an expressive, site-specific canvas at the heart of the restaurant’s refined and luxurious atmosphere.

De Castelli’s contribution was integral to realizing the project, translating the Belgian artist’s original collage into a fully dimensional artwork through the exceptional craftsmanship of its artisans. The result is a composition that bridges New York’s Art Deco geometries with Italian artisanal precision, expressed through the project’s structure, materiality, and meticulously balanced design — an approach that mirrors the restaurant’s broader ambition to unite culinary excellence with refined spatial artistry.

It is this synthesis of craft, design, and atmosphere that has propelled La Tête d’Or to swiftly establish itself as one of New York City’s most desired dining destinations. The restaurant was named the #1 Most Romantic Restaurant in NYCby Time Out and received the Best Fine Dining Award from NYCxDESIGN, affirming its position at the forefront of the city’s culinary and design scene.

Making of images by Matteo dei Maddalena