Forbes - Inside Rubra, Chef Daniela Soto-Innes’ Multifaceted Culinary Masterpiece

To walk through the pink-hued portal into Rubra is to venture inside the heart and soul of Chef Daniela Soto-Innes, one of Mexico's most inspiring culinary creatives. After her meteoric rise in one of New York City's most celebrated kitchens, Soto-Innes surprised onlookers with her pick of the peaceful Pacific Coast beaches of Punta de Mita for her next endeavor. But to take the first step inside Rubra is to see her vision coming into full frame.

I was instantly taken by the manifest beauty of Rubra's intentionally crafted space, transported in an instant. Tucked away on the grounds of W Punta de Mita it feels far from the buzz of busier beach destinations that line the shores. Yet this is not a standard beachfront eatery—far from it.

Designed by Ana Paula de Alba, Rubra’s open-air dining space feels carved out of the coastline in every sense of the phrase. Thousand-pound slabs of soft pink concrete give the structure’s almost brutalist design aesthetic a sunset-colored flare that feels just as unexpected as the restaurant itself.

"We built Rubra to feel like entering a cave or a womb, something grounding and protective," said Soto-Innes of the space. "The architecture hugs you, the plants breathe with you, and the sound of the ocean is always nearby."

To be struck with the big picture of the space is just the start. In Rubra, every chair, every utensil, and even the signature scents in the bathroom have been personally designed or handpicked in collaboration with de Alba, a team of regional artisans, and even Soto-Innes herself to bring the Rubra experience to life.

Each detail feels like an individual string that, when woven together, creates a tapestry of the diverse personal and culinary inspirations that Soto-Innes brings to each table. A particularly meaningful one? The dark black grill facing the dining room at the edge of the kitchen was designed to mirror the library at the university where her father studied. Rubra is more than just her next chapter, it’s her complete story.  See full article Inside Rubra, Chef Daniela Soto-Innes’ Multifaceted Culinary Masterpiece