Pizza East

It's wet January, payday seems so far away, and everyone in London seems to be taking part in Dry January after inhaling too much alcohol in the lead-up to Christmas and on New Year's Eve.

Myself included.

I spent a little bit more than I should have on presents and Christmas drinking this year, so much so that like everyone else, I am hoping payday would be tomorrow, not a couple of weeks away.

To wash away the grey and gloomy January (seriously, when will the rain stop?), me and Frankie thought a post-Christmas catch up hiding from the rain would be a good way to cheer ourselves up!

Anyone for pizza?

The House Of Peroni

If you come out of Oxford Circus tube station, and walk north past H&M and Nike, you will turn a corner and find a row of terraced town houses.

At Number 41 is The House of Peroni. Neatly tucked in the middle of the terrace, but bursting at the seems with Italian culture.

From fashion, to film, music, art and food, this is worth a trip one evening during November!

Walking in through the flourescent entrance, we decided to work our way through the house room by room to take in everything it had to offer.
First stop, the bar on the ground floor, which is open from 12pm - 11pm. 

The drinks menu has been created by Gerry Calabrese, who is the man behind the drinks at the Hoxton Pony, and there are a range of new cocktails created especially for the house.

For us though, nothing can be a great pint of Peroni after a long-day in the office!

Which may, or may not have, gone down a little quicker than it should have done!
At the rear of the bar is a dark room, featuring moving art across 8 screens by digital artist Quayola.
Just like when you stare at the clouds, you could sit down and spot the different shapes that were created as the art moved from frame to frame.

After shape spotting and catching up on each others week, we made our way out into the hall to be met by The Blue Ribbon. 

 

Upstairs is a completely different atmosphere. If downstairs was for the artists and relaxing, then upstairs is for the fashionista's and food lovers. 
Oh, and the best part? There is a private cinema showcasing a range of films.

Hanging from the ceiling are white backdrops which sections the room out, and acts as screens for fashion films to be shown throughout the night, whilst the DJ fills the room with his latest music.
We grabbed a spot and carried on catching up, whilst staring up to see the short-films being screened.

Emilio (His real name is Joe, but we were being Italian for the evening) works at a fashion house, so was in his element when he spotted a selection of handbags by designer Simone Rainer.

Simone was studying a maths degree when he discovered fashion was his love. He dropped the degree, created his line, and the rest is history.

You could see his mind racing away as he unzipped, zipped, felt and held the bag as if it was his own.

Whilst I (now named Sebastiano) worked out that my camera wouldn't fit in any of them, so headed on through the archway towards the outside area.

Top is from Zara (Similar here), jeans from Levis, shoes from Dune and bag from Mulberry.

Earlier in the year, I told you about Street Feast over in Dalston, and on selected evenings you can find a couple of their stalls out on the roof terrace; serving up (you guessed it!) pasta and other Italian dishes, which tasted really good whilst washed down with more Peroni!

If you want to have a sit down meal, then you can in the restaurant on the ground floor. Click Here to reserve a table. 

As it was freezing outside, we ate our pasta quick and went back inside to be greeted by a new friend...

As the house is inspired by 1960's, Silvia Bergomi created a bespoke fragrance for the event.

Of course, Emilio went straight in for a smell from the bottle and gave his seal of approval.

If you love calligraphy, then make sure you don't just walk through the entrance without taking in the work by graffiti artist and graphic designer Andrea (he is also know as Riot!). 
After a few drinks, you may be stood there staring for a little longer than normal, reading all the words he had written.
Not that we did that at all...
Okay, maybe we did for quite a while- but it was so cool!

Fit to burst of Italian food, drink and culture, we made our way back out onto Portland Terrace and into the cold night. Sebastiano and Emilio were off to party!

The House of Peroni is only here for November though, so you have a couple of weeks to get yourself down there! Each week the house holds different events and film screenings, so it never stays the same.
You can find it here, and the house is open from 12pm-midnight, Monday to Friday. 

The Miko Spinelli Jacket

You know the feeling just as much as the person standing next to you when looking for something specific.

Walking round the same store, looking at the same items, and still not being able to find something that you like. Eager to spend the money for once, yet you can't find what you want.

Then you move onto the next store, to repeat eactly what you just did in the last, and walk out empty handed whilst getting annoying that 'none of these bloody stores have what I want.'

Then, you find yourself back at home, trailing through the internet trying to find the same item. Again, nothing stands out. Frustrating is an understatement.

For me, one of the items I have been trying to find for a while is a decent Bomber jacket. You know, those jackets that were all the range back in the late 90's, and have now come full circle and back on the must-have list for 2012. I have searched high and low and whilst there are some cool ones around the high streets, nothing has really stood out to me.

Until now that is.

I was introduced to the new premium collection from Miko Spinelli through a friend, and immeadiately fell in LOVE with it. Think 'Italian fashion meets your grandmas porcelain china tea pot' and you have a collection that is eye catchingly good.





I know right, those patterns didn't seem so cool when you visited the grandparents. On these jackets however, they look absolutely amazing. The delicate patterns contrast with the panelling and metal zips, whilst you can feel sporty with the cuffs and waistbands. Throw on one of the flat caps that use the same pattern and embroidery, and you are definately onto a winner.

Personally, I wouldn't wear both the jacket and hat at the same time, but each of them individually can be added to make up an outfit.





So far, this eagerly awaited collection has gained some pretty impressive reviews, and I can see why. With only a handful of each jacket being made, it is definately a moment to grab something unique. His website (found here) showcases the currently SS12 collection too, and whilst the prices are a little higher than your Topman or River Island equivilents, its the quality and designs that make it worth the money.

Whilst bomber jackets may go out of fashion next year, you know they will come back round again like it has with the 90's.

Plus, you are saving your energy by not having to walk around the high street in search of something that stands out. Another winner!