Christian Liaigre · Hotel Puerta América, Restaurant

Courtesy of Hotel Puerta América

At the entrance to the hotel, on the left, is the restaurant, called Lágrimas Negras or Black Tears. As soon as you enter, the backlit bar made of LG Hi-Macs catches your eye, decorated with abstract motifs. This piece really stands out at night. The enormous wine cellar is a unit made of aluminium and glass separating the restaurant from the kitchen which can hold 700 bottles, all in plain view. In fact, it is almost more a sculpture than a working wine cellar. The space has three areas: the restaurant, a lounge area where you can have a drink between mealtimes and a buffet in the upper part. In general, clients will be surprised by the spaciousness, with an eye-pleasing profusion of light colours and materials, such as the mirror covering one of the walls which goes completely unnoticed at night, as if it did not exist. Wood and leather also confer a warm ambience. Of particular note is the formal clarity and height of the ceilings, characteristic of all the areas on the ground floor, including the reception desk and the bar. Lamps are suspended over the tables from the ceiling, like large vines.

For this project, Christian Liaigre, one of the leading French fashion and interior designers, has been inspired by his own particular view of the Spanish capital, which he sees as a heterogeneous city. Guests encounter a space decorated with fine woods which make it a cosy, comfortable place, such as the oak used for the doors and the slats protecting the area from too much light and sun from the outdoors, as well as the Caiscais stone floor. Liaigre is inspired by nature and tradition. In his opinion, the freedom to design the restaurant has been "the chance to make the type of totally Spanish restaurant I like".

There is a second restaurant called “Mad Restaurant”, located on the E floor.