November 2017 update
In November 2017, Iberia moved into new ownership with Wayne’s departure.
The details below remain as they still give a wonderful background to the creation of Iberia.
January 2015 update
In January 2015, Marlon moved on to other ventures, while Wayne continued Iberia’s tradition of superb service and food.
The Restaurante Opens – November 2012
Two of the Wairarapa’s well-known restaurant personalities, Marlon Tortoza and Wayne Dellabarca, combined their talents to open Iberia Restaurant.
Located in the Sun Court complex, opposite Regent three cinemas in Queen Street, Iberia can seat up to 80 diners from intimate dining at the rear to Parisian-style sidewalk seating at the front.
Stylishly designed by Stella Lennox, Iberia has a touch of Euro flair in keeping with the family backgrounds of its two owners. Marlon grew up in Brazil, while Wayne’s ancestors come from Massa Lubrense in Naples with the restaurant’s name Iberia reflecting the cultural connections.
Marlon, front of house manager, previously ran Tripoli in Kuripuni and has brought over all its pizza recipes to Iberia. Wayne, executive chef at Iberia, has run a number of restaurants and cafes in Masterton, most recently Massa delicatessen.
Marlon and Wayne first met around a year ago and discovered they shared the same vision for a casual dining establishment. Iberia is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. The breakfast lunch lunch menu during the day and dinner menu from 4 p.m.
Marlon’s pizzas are available at all times with a food cabinet selection as well. The restaurant’s cuisine has been influenced by Marlon and Wayne’s shared heritage with a touch of Spain, Brazil, Italy, France and classic Kiwi fair.
All the staff have been trained trained by Wayne and Marlon as well as learning barista skills from Mojo in Wellington, who supply the coffee beans.
The Interior Design
Europe and the Mediterranean were the inspiration of the interior designer Stella Lennox when she came up with the look for Iberia.
Owner of Lennox Design Studio in Masterton, Stella wanted to “create a space that as soon as you walked in, you left the streets of Masterton behind – to feel like you were somewhere in Europe.”
Unique features include the brick wall facade and the use of authentic Marseille roof tiles that Wayne and Pip DellaBarca brought back from France.
There are also other details reflecting Wayne and Marlon’s family backgrounds such as an old map of the village of Massa Lubrense in Naples where some of Wayne’s ancestors come from.
Mediterranean-inspired rich colours and textures in the wallpaper panels add atmosphere whilst the gold mirrors and chandeliers and a touch of elegance. The internal space of the restaurant is quite long so Stella wanted to create a variety of spaces within.
Floor-to-ceiling curtains give a cosy, intimate feeling towards the back of the restaurant and around the bar, while the more open front area caters to the busy hustle-bustle of the day-to-day restaurant.
There is a variety of seating, from café style tables and chairs, to leather booth arrangements, to stools, and outside seating at the front of the restaurant to catch Masterton’s nice weather and do a spot of people watching.
