Pizza Express hits the high notes in Richmond, as Catherine Whyte enjoys delicious pizza and great tunes at the refurbished branch
1 of 2
2 of 2
Pizza Express in Dean Street is renowned the world over as a jazz venue so it’s great news that for music lovers that the repertoire is being rolled out to both the Richmond and Kingston branches under the banner PizzaExpress Live Playlist.
Whether by default or design, the extended programme coincides with the Soho venue’s 40th anniversary, and it’s the same team in charge of booking the acts at our local restaurants. Rest assured, we are not in hit-and-miss open mic territory here – neither will the music be limited to jazz.
Emel Michael – a rather lovely lady with a voice as silky as a dollop of lemon posset – was booked for inaugural night on January 14. Accompanied by a long-haired chap on guitar she sang a range of covers from Amy Winehouse, Eva Cassidy, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson (the latter working surprisingly well). The tone was pitched just right and you could tell that quite a few people in the place had lingered on to listen to the rest of her set. The applause was generous.
It’s all part of a change of direction for the Richmond branch in particular, which has also undergone a radical makeover. Gone is the red and white, spacey, pop culture décor. I don’t think it will be missed, frankly. I did love those round booths and the American diner feel, but none of the faddy technology ever worked and those pendulous globular overhangs were a hazard for anyone over 5’4”.
The new interior design is far more elegant; paying homage to the Art Deco exterior with dark oak flooring and paneling, grey leather-esque upholstery, and brass edging. The booths are still there, but instead of opening out into the restaurant floor they are grouped in the centre, giving more privacy and – thankfully – more protection from the awful acoustics that have always plagued this place.
In short, it all feels far more grown-up, and better suited to the Richmond crowd. Do take advantage of this ‘third-off food’ voucher, valid till the end of January and go and try it out for yourselves. Oh, and there are new additions to the menu, too.
Follow the Pizza Express Jazz Club on Twitter
Gigs will be taking place every other Thursday at Pizza Express in Richmond, and every other Wednesday at Kingston. The next Richmond gig will be Tom Speight and Eliza Shaddad on January 28
