This article is the second instalment in a series documenting lesser-known projects and media related to Dario Argento over the years.
If you're wondering why I'm indulging in terrible food-related Dario Argento puns, fear not! They're all tied to today's blog post, which delves into another intriguing but unrealised vision from Dario Argento. Following our previous exploration of his shelved project to creatively direct the 1987 edition of the Sanremo Music Festival, let's now uncover another surprising venture that sadly never saw the light of day...
According to an article in the May 30th 1998 edition of the La Repubblica newspaper, Dario Argento had plans to open a horror themed restaurant with particular focus on his own films. Adopting the Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood model, Argento’s restaurant would contain film memorabilia and horror decor relating to his extensive horror filmography.
The restaurant concept was conceived by Argento and his friend, Umberto Ferri. Ferri brought valuable expertise to the table, having spearheaded the successful Transilvania Horror Rock Kafe chain—a Gothic horror-themed pub series that originated in Misano Adriatico, Rimini, in 1997. From its roots, this concept spread its eerie charm across Italy and beyond, establishing venues in Germany, the UK, and the USA by the late 1990s.
The Transilvania Horror Rock Kafe fully embraced its macabre theme through Gothic furnishings and adornments. Its standout design element was the use of coffins transformed into tables, unveiling ghoulish skeletons within. Complementing this eerie setting were other chilling details, including skull-shaped beer tap handles, Gothic candelabras, and an abundance of bats and bones. Not surprisingly, these venues became a reflection of the alternative culture of the time, placing a strong emphasis on rock and heavy metal. The transition to more music-based entertainment under the banner of Transilvania Live incorporated live performances from acclaimed acts like Cradle of Filth. This evolution solidified the venues as alternative gathering places that blended horror aesthetics with a rock and metal musical experience.
Dario Argento's involvement with the Transilvania Horror Rock Kafe commenced when Umberto Ferri sought the esteemed horror director's guidance in selecting the decor for the new Fiumicino location. Ferri, desiring an atmosphere that would authentically mirror the unsettling essence of Argento's own cinematic creations, welcomed his friend into an advisory capacity, to which Argento acquiesced, offering guidance on various design elements. Argento emphasised the importance of creating a Gothic horror ambiance devoid of gratuitous exaggerations. In the director’s eyes, the outcome was truly extraordinary.
The grand opening of the venue became a gathering of horror enthusiasts, with Argento himself gracing the occasion alongside peers like the brothers Franco and Sergio Citti, distinguished figures in the film industry and longtime friends of Argento. As they mingled and reminisced, indulging in slices of the venue's aptly named Exorcist Pizza, they were joined by an unexpected guest: Pucci, a two-metre python who had become the beloved mascot of the establishment.
Impressed with the final result of the Fiumicino venue, Argento expressed to La Repubblica his ambitious plans to transcend the horror themed pub by unveiling Italy's inaugural horror-themed restaurant. Set to debut in December of that year (1998), the establishment would be located in the historic centre of Rome. While details regarding the interior design remained somewhat elusive, Argento hinted at drawing inspiration from his seminal works to create an atmosphere brimming with his distinctive style. As for the culinary offerings, specifics were still pending, yet it was clear that they would complement the venue's horror curated ambiance.
Despite Dario Argento's intentions, the envisioned Argento/horror-themed restaurant never came to fruition. Further details about this proposed venture have remained elusive, but one can speculate that the costs associated with launching a restaurant, along with the demands of his other creative endeavours, may have ultimately led to the abandonment of these grand plans.
However, It’s fun to imagine such a space existing. Envision stepping into a venue draped in sumptuous red velvet curtains, where black-gloved waiters welcome you into a dimly lit space adorned with candelabras. As you're escorted to your table, ornate mirrors strategically reflect your image akin to the pivotal revelation in Deep Red. The vibrant stained glass skylight, reminiscent of Suspiria, bathes the room in an ethereal glow directly above your table. Here, menus fashioned after the iconic Three Mothers and Tenebrae books await your perusal, while knives cleverly double as straight-edged razors, perfectly setting the stage for a dining experience steeped in the macabre world of Dario Argento. Meanwhile, Pupazzo mechanically crosses the room against a backdrop of Escher-inspired wallpaper, precisely on the hour—a detail straight from my experiences in Frankensteins in Edinburgh during my teenage years.
In reality, it was far more likely to resemble either the prop-filled basement museum from Profondo Rosso or a simpler setup with film posters and occasional props. Yet, one can't help but dream of the perfect themed restaurant for an Argento fan, where I could sip an Inferno Margarita (a spicy margarita naturally) and a Suspiria Spritz before indulging in Tenebraised beef. However, all hope isn't lost—Argento fans can still visit Cambiare, the Suspiria-themed bar in Tokyo, to whet their appetite for an Argento-themed experience. That is, of course, until the day I win the lottery and bring my own plans to life!
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