Posted: 4th September 2013
In July 41 Portland Place was home to The House of Peroni, a month long celebration of a new wave of contemporary Italian culture. Following six months of planning the venue was completely transformed to create a space that mixed contemporary style with classical Italian architecture and interiors. Stripped wooden floors, ivy tumbling over the façade, whitewashed walls and an olive garden on the terrace helped transport visitors from central London to the mansion houses of Rome.
On the ground floor, the Laurie Landeau Room was transformed into a psychedelic space decorated with neon shreds of patterned paper by installation artist Ludovica Gioscia. The Fellows Room became an infinity room that used thin streams of light and reflective paint to create a seemingly endless space.
Upstairs the Council Chamber was converted into a contemporary art gallery to showcase works by artists and designers such as Formafantasma, and the Reception Room was converted into a club room complete with ultra modern bar and white leather sofas.
The Terrace underwent a fantastic revamp to emerge as a secluded olive garden where guests could sip cocktails under a canopy shading them from the scorching July sun. The drinks menu and bar was created exclusively by Gerry Calabrese, son of the Italian cocktail maestro Salvatore Calabrese.
Our Head Chef Will was flown to Italy in preparation for the residency to be trained by Michelin Starred Chefs, the Costardi Brothers. Called ‘Assagi’, which is Italian for ‘taste’, the unique experimental menu devised by the brothers with Will for The House offered an unexpected and contemporary take on traditional Italian dishes, with local ingredients imported from Italy’s Vercelli region. Will learned new tricks which he will definitely be using in his next Canapéculiar recipes.
You can see the full transformation of the venue here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIfc8cv_7U4
To discuss venue buy outs or residencies at 41 Portland Place, please contact ali@41portlandplace.com