A25 opened in February of this year in South Yarra, and the restaurant has been charming and transporting diners to the pizzerias of Rome ever since. A25 serves up authentic Italian fare in a bright and modern dining space created by Luke Henley of Wildhen Design.

Taking inspiration from the Italian experience of owner Nicolini, Henley worked to combine the best of Rome and the costal town of Pescara.

A Sophia Loren mural looks down over diners from the pizzeria wall with the duo’s mantra ‘Pizza is Sexy’ scrawled across it in bright neon pink lights. The influence of Pescara, a town famous for its party vibe, is felt by these splashes of pink, which also mark the pizza boxes decorating the space.

Stripped back, raw materials, such as brushed concrete and ply sheets that box out the kitchen and the table tops, create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, while true to the old-style eateries in Rome, bold tiling clads the servery, with a sophisticated marble bench top complementing the open kitchen. Exposed ceiling pipes and globe pendants exude a refreshingly contemporary ambience and black board columns allow the staff to be playful with the latest restaurant specials.

Having spent several years perfecting the art of pizza making in Italy, Nicolini was eager to bring not only the tastes of his homeland to Melbourne, but the overall dining experience, “A25 encapsulates the traditional, casual feel of Roman pizzerias, with elements of style and sophistication for a true dining experience,” he said.

Designer, Luke Henley, known for his design work in Melbourne at Fonda, We are Combi and Nutrition Bar was well aware of Nicolini’s desire to inject culture and history throughout the restaurant.

“I wanted to achieve something fresh and stylish, which captured and celebrated Nicolini’s vision. All the base materials we’ve used are natural and neutral, forming a canvas on which the Italian style and characteristics have been layered. Remo really wanted the bones of the fit-out to feel classic and for the branding to have the personality,” says Henley.

A25 is an alluring mix of tradition and innovation, backed by authentic Italian cuisine and a pair of hospitality masterminds.

Wildhen Design
wildhen.com.au