{"id":10874,"date":"2025-11-23T17:00:05","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T18:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rutha.org\/?p=10874"},"modified":"2025-11-28T12:32:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T12:32:33","slug":"cafe-tondo-designed-to-fill-the-void-of-social-spaces-in-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rutha.org\/index.php\/2025\/11\/23\/cafe-tondo-designed-to-fill-the-void-of-social-spaces-in-los-angeles\/","title":{"rendered":"Cafe Tondo designed to “fill the void” of social spaces in Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Cafe<\/div>\n

An LA<\/a>-based team comprised of Mouthwash Studio and Aunt Studio has designed Mexican restaurant<\/a> with ample patio space underneath a railway in the city’s Chinatown neighbourhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Modelled on a casual Mexico City cantina, the interiors for Cafe Tondo<\/a> created with Aunt Studio<\/a> are intended to be inviting and act as a community hub.<\/p>\n

\"Restaurant
The entry foyer of Cafe Tondo is filled with casual seating<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The project is a collaboration between Mouthwash Studio<\/a> partner and Cafe Tondo creative director Abraham Campillo; Mouthwash Studio partners Mackenzie Freemire, Alex Tan, and Ben Mingo; Mike Kang of Locale Partners<\/a>; and chef Valeria Vel\u00e1squez.<\/p>\n

“In Mexican culture, making someone feel welcome goes beyond food or drink,” said Campillo. “It’s about warmth, generosity, and creating a space where people feel seen. The same spirit goes into every detail at the cafe.”<\/p>\n

\"Bench
Furniture is custom-designed by OMBIA Studio, and the ceramics were sourced by Isabella Marengo \u2013 all from Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The restaurant is open through the day and night, and serves co\ufb00ee, wine and small plates alongside a program of live jazz, boleros, salsa and DJ sessions in the evenings.<\/p>\n

The team hopes that Cafe Tondo “fills the void left behind in the disappearance of ‘third places’ \u2013 a space that fosters connection and invites you to linger a little longer”.<\/p>\n

\"Dining
Warm colours and soft textures are used in the dining area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Custom furniture designed by OMBIA Studio<\/a> and handcrafted in Mexico fills the space, and the ceramics were also sourced from Mexico by Isabella Marengo of Bugambilia<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Benches and stools with velvet-upholstered cushioned tops and wooden bases populate the entry foyer, which is wrapped by glass on three sides.<\/p>\n