True Café and Bartini, a project designed by Peter Margittai Architect, was featured in the January/February 2005 Columns magazine as part of its Entertainment Architecture feature.

This project, located on Western Avenue on Pittsburgh’s North Side, included the interior design of a former pharmacy and office space into a 2,400 square foot urban café. Challenges included marrying two dissimilar spaces with different floor elevations, transforming a service alley into an intimate courtyard, enticing patrons to explore, and juxtaposing the elegant interiors with the gritty streetscape.

“I wanted (a design) that would keep me motivated and full of energy which would carry over to the customers,” said co-owner Eric Kukura in the article. “Architecturally, it’s James Bond meets the Jetsons.”

Shari Lynn Bennet was the interior designer for the space, which was built by Urban Landmark Associates, an owner-created company.