FONDA BRINGS LA FIESTA TO FLINDERS

Fonda Flinders Lane

31 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
(03) 8686 7300 or www.fondamexican.com.au/flinders-lane

A ‘Fonda’ is a Mexican home kitchen selling food to the public.

Following the Mexican wave of success from Chapel Street, Fonda has opened a new restaurant in Flinders Lane. The new location is the third to join the Fonda family of fast and fresh Mexican cuisine.

With a previous string of failed hospitality businesses in the existing space, the design approach for Techné Architects was to break down the large tenancy into more intimate spaces with a greater relationship to the workings of the restaurant.

“The obvious challenge was to transform a large 400 square metre space lacking street presence into a successful restaurant,” says Techné’s Alex Lake.

The new-look Fonda turns up the heat with its use of bold, playful colours throughout the space. Graphics and branding by Luke Henley of Wild Hen Design emphasise the festive, Mexican vibe.

Techne designed bespoke furniture, from booths, banquettes and tables which explore references to picnic furniture and park benches.

The lighting scheme reflects the power line compositions of suburban Mexico and is combined with custom Inkster Maken pendants based on the shape of a domestic lampshade. The creative re-use of existing copper pendants from the old fit-out as wall lights, helps enhance the rustic vibe of the restaurant.

Any day of the week is good for a Mexican fiesta!