Rubato is a new food space designed by Sapid Studio in Boston, Massachusetts. It draws inspiration from Cha Chaan Tengs, cafes serving comfort food that became popular in Hong Kong following World War II by blending Western and Eastern culinary traditions. Designed with flexibility of use in mind, Rubato can operate as an eat-in cafe seating up to nine, while also serving as a takeout and delivery kitchen.

The design process began in the middle of the pandemic, at a time when the restaurant’s role as a gathering space was being heavily questioned due to the continued rise of ‘ghost kitchens’ throughout cities. Rubato’s design was developed with the tension between public dining, takeout and delivery in mind.

To combat the ‘invisible’ labor inherent to these emerging ‘ghost kitchens’, Rubato is designed as a permeable, multi-functional kitchen space that allows staff, consumers and delivery workers to interact as seamlessly as possible.

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio

The front-of-house kitchen counters are wrapped in a characteristic green tile which becomes a guiding principle for the rest of the space. The facade overlooking the main street is framed by a striking amber butcher curtain, which casts a warm hue over the resulting interior, while also creating a thermal barrier to temper the space from cold winters and hot summers in Boston.

Three stainless steel kitchen counters provide seating for up to 9 customers, and can be rearranged to help facilitate larger orders during takeout service. The design strategy reflects the tension between old and new by respecting the roots laid down by Contempo Bakery, as this space was passed down from mother to son after the previous business operated for 25 years.

The project was executed on a very tight budget and materials were salvaged and refreshed wherever possible.

Rubato is a musical term that signals a change in tempo, and the resulting design pays homage to history while positioning the space to thrive in the current restaurant climate.

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio

PHOTOS BY Sapid Studio