Alfonso Cadena’s concept restaurant Hueso makes no “bones” about its appearance! Lurking in a 1940s building of modern architecture in the capital of Jalisco, the birthplace of tequila and mariachi music, the eatery appeals to both contemporary sensibilities as well as atavistic inclinations.
It is conceptualised by Mexican architect and designer Ignacio Cadena of Cadena + Asociados Concept Design. Just one step in and we see how easily it strikes a chord with all those who visit, calling out to the primal part embedded in our psyche, a hereditary figment of caveman recollections.
Covered from floor to ceiling in bones of varying shapes and sizes, its stark light palette sets a modern context, where the bleached look of the bones lends a surreal quality.
Artisanal handcrafted ceramic tiles envelop the exterior; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Luis Barragan’s Foundation and Diaz Morales’s House Studio in the iconic Lafayette Design District of Guadalajara, forms the backdrop of Hueso, which translates to ‘bone’ in Spanish. Artisanal handcrafted ceramic tiles envelop the exterior, setting the tone for the white and grey interiors.
Bones make an appearance right at the entrance of the restaurant; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
An astounding assortment of 10,000 organic bones covers most of the bare brick walls in almost a Darwinian narrative of life. Peppered with objets, cooking tools and artistic renditions, a modern canvas emerges, where textures and forms draw the eye, as it traces the shifting white shapes all around.
Steam-bent wooden cafe style chairs flank a long table; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Steam-bent wooden cafe chairs flank a long wooden table, while a glass display case near the white staircase hosts a collection of specimens, giving a distinct feeling of being transported to a natural history museum. The bleached white and grey palette continues into the bathroom, where sleek white tiles offset a decorative horned animal skull.
Scroll to see more images of this Mexican restaurant…
The walls of Hueso are covered in organic bones, cooking tools and artistic works by urban visual artists; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
The double-heighted space features furniture designed by Ignacio Cadena; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Ceramics by José Noé Suro are seen throughout; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Close-up of the window area; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
The facade as seen through the windows; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
A glass display case is pictured near the staircase on the right; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
The white on white palette adds to the organic theme; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
In an exhibit of sorts, bones line the entire stairway; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
View of both storeys also showcases the dead tree trunk seen in the backdrop beyond the tables. The lighting is designed by Ignacio Cadena; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
The glass display case holds a collection of specimens. The aluminium cast bones are by Mauricio and Sebastián Lara; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
An astounding assortment of 10,000 organic bones covers most of the bare brick walls; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Another view of the display case; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
The ceramics at Hueso are by José Noé Suro; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Hueso is dominated by a white and grey palette from the walls to the decor; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
The bleached white and grey palette continues into the bathroom, where sleek white tiles offset a decorative horned animal skull; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Close-up of a wall covered in organic bones, cooking tools and artistic works; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
Chef Alfonso Cadena, the culinary mind behind Hueso; Photographs by Jaime Navarro
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ELLE DECOR
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