Midtown Manhattan restaurant Ánimo! takes its cues from Mexican morning rituals
Jordana Maisie Design Studio creates a minimalistic yet referential setting for Ánimo!
Just opened in Midtown Manhattan, Ánimo! is a new kind of Mexican restaurant specialised in reimagined breakfast and lunch classics like huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. Responding to the focus on dishes traditionally served earlier in the day, multidisciplinary artist and designer Jordana Maisie delved deep into various ‘morning rituals’ from throughout Mexico when outfitting the restaurant's pared-back yet expressive and textured interior, and even its exterior.
Discover Midtown Manhattan restaurant Ánimo!
‘Looking at the long-established tradition of communal breakfasts and the preparation of foods like tamales and hot chocolate, and the importance of coffee in day-to-day life, encouraged my team and I to lean into a design sensibility that optimised flow and generosity,’ Maisie says. ‘The colour palette selected was inspired by Mexican landscapes, pottery, and textiles – vibrant colours and earthy tones that evoke warmth and community.’
The especially compact but narrow street-level haunt unfolds with a central point of sale and baked goods display that promotes a sense of social interaction and collaborative cooking. The curvilinear quality of its terrazzo countertop carries through to the tile-clad banquettes that emerge off to one side with custom table tops produced using natural sapele hardwood.
‘Other materials include handmade ceramics that reflect traditional craftsmanship, with a contemporary edge of brushed aluminium surfaces that help to move light across the interior,’ Maisie adds. ‘It was important for us to maximise natural light to create a warm atmosphere, echoing the early morning sun. Each nook corresponds to a set of operable bay windows for filtering daylight, enabling natural ventilation, and maintaining sight lines back to the streetscape.’
Another major part of the project was the recladding of the exterior, something that is rarely done in New York but that was integral to establishing Ánimo!’s place in the neighbourhood and cementing its brand identity.
‘In New York City, the focus on the interior often overshadows the façade, but a corner condition in NYC is rare, and we felt the intersection of Second Avenue and 53rd Street wanted to disrupt the typical uniform flat, painted or aluminum-clad storefronts that line the avenues,’ the designer says. ‘The façade is what interfaces between the interior and the street. The same convex and geometric patterned texture found inside comes through this especially fluted component.
‘Throughout the project, we balanced tradition with contemporary design by incorporating sleek lines and modern amenities, ensuring the space feels relevant to today’s lifestyle while honouring its roots,’ Maisie concludes. ‘Every aspect of our design reflects our commitment to honouring tradition while embracing innovation. From the clean lines of our contemporary furniture to the vibrant murals that pay homage to Mexico’s rich cultural heritage, this spatial design invites diners to embark on a journey of discovery with every visit.’
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Ánimo! is located at 1004 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10022, United States, animonyc.com
Adrian Madlener is a Brussels-born, New York-based writer, curator, consultant, and artist. Over the past ten years, he’s held editorial positions at The Architect’s Newspaper, TLmag, and Frame magazine, while also contributing to publications such as Architectural Digest, Artnet News, Cultured, Domus, Dwell, Hypebeast, Galerie, and Metropolis. In 2023, He helped write the Vincenzo De Cotiis: Interiors monograph. With degrees from the Design Academy Eindhoven and Parsons School of Design, Adrian is particularly focused on topics that exemplify the best in craft-led experimentation and sustainability.
-
Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’
The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
By Carole Dixon Published
-
Book a table at Row on 5 in London for the dinner party of dreams
Row on 5, located on the storied Savile Row, emerges as a perfectly tailored fit for fans of fine dining
By Ben McCormack Published
-
How a bijou jewellery salon in Monaco set the jewellery trends for 2025
Inside the inaugural edition of Joya, where jewellery is celebrated as miniature works of art
By Jean Grogan Published
-
Wallpaper* checks in at the refreshed W Hollywood: ‘more polish and less party’
The W Hollywood introduces a top-to-bottom reimagining by the Rockwell Group, capturing the genuine warmth and spirit of Southern California
By Carole Dixon Published
-
Arlo NoMad hotel makes the American diner officially cool again
The NoMad Diner NYC’s interiors and menu offer an elevated take on an American classic
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Los Angeles’ best fine-dining restaurants
LA boasts a creative food scene driven by some of the world’s most innovative chefs. Browse the Wallpaper* guide to the city’s best fine-dining restaurants
By Kevin EG Perry Published
-
Bold maximalism engulfs The Lafayette Hotel and Club in San Diego
The Lafayette Hotel and Club, designed by Post Company, brings together a rich tapestry of patterns, themes and colours
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Miami Navigator: where to stay, eat, drink and shop in Florida's design-savvy maximalist metropolis
What to do in Miami, where ivory beaches and umbrella-clad caipirinhas share the stage with discerning galleries and global art and design fairs
By Annie Biziou Published
-
Discover South Carolina’s Hilton Head Island: food, fun and beachside bliss
With natural splendour and a balmy, subtropical climate, Hilton Head Island beckons beach-goers, gourmets and golf fans alike
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The world’s most enticing new hotel openings
Explore the best new hotels in the world, from beachfront living at Cheval Blanc Seychelles to otherworldly Zaha Hadid architecture at Me Malta
By Nicola Leigh Stewart Last updated
-
At The Manner, New York has a highly fashionable new living room
The Manner, a new hospitality experience by Standard International in the heart of SoHo, combines the best elements of a hotel, private residence, and members’ club
By Hannah Walhout Published