The art of Mediterranean living takes shape in İzmir with Esca, the new contemporary Mediterranean restaurant conceived by the multidisciplinary studio URBANJOBS and led by Michelin-starred chef Osman Sezener. Located inside İstinyePark, one of the liveliest lifestyle malls in Turkey, the 189-seat venue translates the values of simplicity, conviviality and elegance typical of the Mediterranean into a project that combines design, architecture and signature gastronomy.
The concept stems from a clear philosophy: honesty and sobriety. In the kitchen, this means a seasonal menu based on local ingredients, curated by Osman Sezener with an approach that celebrates freshness and territoriality. In the interior, this same philosophy is reflected in a welcoming and refined atmosphere, achieved through a skilful use of natural materials such as stone and wood, combined with warm colors and tactile elements that convey authenticity.
Esca is developed in four main areas: a private room, the bar area, the terrace and the outdoor space. The entrance, filtered by a closed windbreak, leads guests directly to the central room, dominated by a 360-degree bar with a double level of flooring that creates movement and fluidity in the space. The semi-covered terrace is the heart of the restaurant: designed to look like a natural extension of the interior, it offers the feeling of an open-air Mediterranean living room.
The interaction with the context is another strength of the project. The façade dialogues with the architectural language of the mall, but at the same time recalls the relaxed and coastal spirit of İzmir, bringing natural light and a sense of openness inside. The work of URBANJOBS has transformed an initially irregular layout into a coherent and functional plan, where flows, proportions and technical areas coexist seamlessly.
Aesthetically, contemporary Mediterranean design finds expression in a palette of earthy tones, wooden surfaces and plaster finishes that soften the environment. Precious materials such as marble elevate the sensory experience, while tailor-made lighting solutions, integrated between the bar and the dining room, modulate natural and artificial light, creating different atmospheres between lunch and dinner.
Every detail has been tailor-made: from the service counters to the seats, up to the decorative elements chosen with discretion to let materials and proportions do the talking. URBANJOBS also enhanced the local supply chain, sourcing from Turkish suppliers and thus reducing the environmental impact of the project.
As Murat Dede, founder of the studio, points out, the visual identity of the restaurant – color palette, logo and even menu design – was developed starting from the space itself, in a continuous dialogue between architecture and brand identity.
With Esca, URBANJOBS has created much more than a restaurant: it is a total experience that combines contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, interior design and the local spirit of İzmir. A model that can be replicated in other contexts, capable of telling the culture of hospitality and demonstrating how Mediterranean design can transform the simple act of eating into a memorable experience.
INFO: Maggie Scaife – TOMORROW PR
PHOTO COURTESY: İbrahi̇m Özbunar
