- Client:
- Art Series Hotels
- Services:
- Brand Identity
- Illustration
- Print & Digital
- Marketing
- Signage
Context & ChallengePolpetta is a relaxed all-day Italian eatery and wine bar within The Fantauzzo hotel, welcoming guests and locals alike. Inspired by grassroots Roman cooking, the menu celebrates fuss-free Italian dishes full of flavour and personality. The interior blends exposed concrete and warm timber with vintage plates from Nona’s collection, merging tradition with a sleek, urban feel.
The challenge was to create a distinct identity that honoured authentic Italian roots while embracing contemporary design. It needed to be bold, confident, and quirky—making Polpetta stand out in a competitive dining scene without relying on cliché references. The brand had to feel fun and approachable yet polished and modern, reflecting both the food’s character and the hotel’s sophisticated aesthetic.
Context & ChallengePolpetta is a relaxed all-day Italian eatery and wine bar within The Fantauzzo hotel, welcoming guests and locals alike. Inspired by grassroots Roman cooking, the menu celebrates fuss-free Italian dishes full of flavour and personality. The interior blends exposed concrete and warm timber with vintage plates from Nona’s collection, merging tradition with a sleek, urban feel.
The challenge was to create a distinct identity that honoured authentic Italian roots while embracing contemporary design. It needed to be bold, confident, and quirky—making Polpetta stand out in a competitive dining scene without relying on cliché references. The brand had to feel fun and approachable yet polished and modern, reflecting both the food’s character and the hotel’s sophisticated aesthetic.
Distinctively ItalianThe typography draws inspiration from iconic Italian brands, creating an unmistakably Italian feel. A reduced colour palette celebrates Italy’s love of red while adding contemporary polish. The identity avoids obvious clichés, instead drawing on cultural and visual hallmarks—re-contextualised for a modern space that feels authentic, confident, and full of character.
Big PersonalityInspired by Italy’s joyous eating culture, the visual identity introduces the ‘Meatball Mafia’—a friendly gang influenced by traditional Italian menus, shop signs, and fresh ingredients. These playful characters evoke the warmth of trattorias and the energy of Rome’s buzzing streets, creating a strong emotional connection while reinforcing Polpetta’s fun, fuss-free spirit.
Hotel IntegrationAs part of The Fantauzzo hotel, Polpetta serves both hotel guests and locals, requiring an identity that worked independently yet harmonised with the hotel’s sleek aesthetic. The brand ties into the contemporary interior while using a contrasting colour palette and bold tone of voice to market the restaurant as a destination in its own right.
Distinctively ItalianThe typography draws inspiration from iconic Italian brands, creating an unmistakably Italian feel. A reduced colour palette celebrates Italy’s love of red while adding contemporary polish. The identity avoids obvious clichés, instead drawing on cultural and visual hallmarks—re-contextualised for a modern space that feels authentic, confident, and full of character.
Big PersonalityInspired by Italy’s joyous eating culture, the visual identity introduces the ‘Meatball Mafia’—a friendly gang influenced by traditional Italian menus, shop signs, and fresh ingredients. These playful characters evoke the warmth of trattorias and the energy of Rome’s buzzing streets, creating a strong emotional connection while reinforcing Polpetta’s fun, fuss-free spirit.
Hotel IntegrationAs part of The Fantauzzo hotel, Polpetta serves both hotel guests and locals, requiring an identity that worked independently yet harmonised with the hotel’s sleek aesthetic. The brand ties into the contemporary interior while using a contrasting colour palette and bold tone of voice to market the restaurant as a destination in its own right.
Awards
Graphis Awards — Silver
Eat Drink Design Awards — Shortlisted
AWARD — Finalist
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