Brindisa Kitchen Bar

The Silver Route

Opportunity: Brindisa, the London-based restaurant group and supplier of Spanish foods, launches their new concept, Brindisa Kitchen Bar in the heart of Borough Market. The menu is inspired by ’The Silver Route’ and founder Monika Linton commissions TMC to tell the unique story and traditions of these Spanish regions with a series of one-off illustration artworks to be used across touch-points on- and off-line.

Solution: Based on typical market bars across Spain, Brindisa Kitchen Bar serves tapas food & drink that follows ‘La Ruta de la Plata’ (The Silver Route) from Andalusia up to Asturias. Our collection of illustrations were split into four areas of The Silver Route – Mar Salvaje (The Wild Sea), Alta Montana (The High Mountains), Paramo y Bosque (Plateaus Land and Woodland) and Mar Playa (Sea & Shore). Mixing illustrations of regional food and drink with local traditions and landmarks, we created four ‘panels’ that when connected made up this ancient commercial route travelling north to south in the west of Spain.

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Land

Using a distinct illustration style and system, that was initially created for Brindisa’s 30th Anniversary illustration series, we combined their two lead brand colours as part of a limited palette. This considered use of colour helps to bring to life the digital illustrations and make them look almost screen-printed when applied. Deliberate over abundance and playful use of perspective celebrates a vibrant collection of people, places and cuisine. Each artwork is constructed with layers of meaning, placing unique moments to tell a dynamic story that unfolds with consistency across web, print and social – everything from menus to wall hangings.

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Sea

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Sea and Shore

Mar Playa, Sea & Shore

Starting The Silver Route journey in South West Andalusia, you find the albariza white soil of the sherry vineyards and the sea salt works for curing locally caught tuna. Almadraba, an ancient fishing technique is still practiced to catch an array of fish such as bluefin tuna, anchovies and cod. The nearby hillsides are home to the local goat herds, as well as the herbs which flavour their aromatic milk.

Conjuring up entertaining personalities and quirky illustrative details help to create artwork that offers something new every time you look. Sassy goats prance about, while fishermen haul in the daily catch, tucking fish into their overalls as they go; and our ‘Drinks Like A Fish’ character dances in the vineyards – all adding character and interest to this illustration panel.

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Plateaux and Woodland

Paramo y Bosque, Plateaux & Woodland

Winding northwards Iberian pigs happily roam in the rich oak forests while flavourful tomatoes and peppers grow alongside pulses in the soft lowlands. Traditional palomares, where birds shelter as they migrate, dot the landscape and further south cowboys move their herds in search of greener pastures. These regions are also home to important Roman ruins that sit along the Guadiana River. We know we shouldn’t have favourites but our barrel belly pigs bring us so much joy; giving new life to the phrase ‘happier than a pig in 💩’.

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, High Mountains

Alta Montana, The High Mountains

Further north, is Castilla y León, the largest region in Spain (and Europe) and an elevated plain surrounded by three long mountain ranges and River Duero towards Portugal. Sheer mountain peaks give way to high alpine pastures which feed dairy herds and also dark damp caves housing cheeses as they blue. From the rugged mountain ranges to the soft textures of apple groves and bean plants, this central area of Spain is home to extraordinary gastronomy.

This artwork panel really celebrates the vibrant collection of people and foods that make up this region. From the charming Abuela tending to her bean stalks, to the young girl picking apples, to the smug cowherd and her broad-shouldered cattle. Each one tells its own individual story through a playful perspective.

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Wild Sea

Mar Salvaje, The Wild Sea

The final region is known for its fresh seafood, traditional recipes and stunning cheeses. Reaching the wild coastline of the North, the sea ravages the rocks where the shellfish, rock fish and cold water fish thrive, whilst salt spray and stormy waters dampen this green land of milk and butter.

This illustration has a slightly different energy: an array of bulkier fishing boats depict the busy port as waves crash against the rocks; our strong fisherlady hauls in the largest score of cod; and not one to be left out, can you spot our canine Studio Manager, Sebastian the Schnauzer? There is a real sense of busyness and bounty from the sea.

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route - Cowboy

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route - Boat

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route - Goats Sketch

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Brands

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Hikers

Brindisa Spanish Foods Tapas Restaurants – Borough Market, London – Toby Marsh Creative – Illustration – The Silver Route, Foods

Book a table at Tapas Brindisa or Brindisa Kitchen Bar online or email hola@brindisakitchens.com. You can also shop Brindisa’s extensive range of Spanish foods in store or online.

Otherwise, have a look through our previous large-scale illustration project for the group, Brindisa: a Story of Spanish Foods by Monika Linton, celebrating the brand’s 30th anniversary.