In Copenhagen’s Østerbro, amator blends dining with the intimacy of home. Designed by wiercinski-studio, the 50 m² space marks the studio’s first Danish project, distilling warmth, craftsmanship, and quiet simplicity.
Amator is the vision of Mateusz Sarnowski, known to many as Mati Pichci, whose culinary journey began five years ago as an intern at the world-renowned Noma. Here, his signature dish – a simple, perfect omelet – holds pride of place on the menu, surrounded by seasonal, vegetable-forward dishes for breakfast and lunch. As evening falls, the venue shifts into a candlelit setting for private and corporate dinners, embodying Mati’s concept of a “home dining room”.
The design brief was rooted in the feeling of convivial gatherings – spaces where conversation flows as naturally as wine. Limited square footage became a catalyst for ingenuity. The centerpiece is a communal table composed of angled oak tabletops, punctuated by integrated plates for serving. By pulling discreet steel rings, individual tables connect into one long, jagged-lined dining surface, adapting effortlessly to the mood of the evening.
Furniture and objects were handcrafted in Poland, reflecting a cross-cultural dialogue between Polish artisanship and Scandinavian restraint. Wierciński’s signature approach pairs raw, hand-worked steel with solid oak – materials left in their honest form, resonating with Mati’s straightforward, unpretentious cuisine. The stools, part of the upcoming wiercinski-objects collection, are space-saving yet sculptural.
Light filters through the front windows onto a high oak-and-steel counter where guests can watch Copenhagen’s townhouses pass by. The bar, clad in brown mirrors, acts as a soft divide between dining space and open kitchen, which remains visible both inside and from the street. Wrinkled Polish linen drapes the walls, hosting floating shelves and stainless steel sconces. A tree trunk from a Polish forest greets guests at the entrance – a quiet, tactile reminder of the restaurant’s material roots.
Unexpected details punctuate the earthy palette: yellow plywood shelves recalling domestic interiors, and the restaurant’s playful signature – a single yellow dot. Music is woven into the dining ritual, with a vinyl shelf and custom speakers by Arda Audio holding court at the back, inviting diners to linger over both food and sound.
