When Chef Joe Isidori – a third-generation New York chef and cofounder of Black Tap – came to Madonna+Child, he wanted to create a true legacy brand: a reimagined Italian red-sauce joint that paid homage to his family’s New York City roots and drew inspiration from the Bronx’s Arthur Ave.
The Execution
M+C helped build the brand from the ground up, blending both heritage and modernity into every element. The rose motif honors the chef’s grandmother, while bold sans-serif typefaces and typewriter fonts balance casual charm with elegance. The design extended far beyond the logo – to awnings, menus, interiors, and a full photography aesthetic that captures nostalgic warmth through film-style visuals. M+C continues to lead creative direction, managing a social presence of 150K+ followers and producing video, photo, and interior art for new locations.
