Tag Archives: pizza

Panzo, Exmouth Market

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A few years ago London went mad for burgers, now it’s all about the pizza varieties. Pretty-in-pink Panzo on Exmouth Market is the newest pizzeria to demand my attention.

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The interiors are very instagram friendly, with plenty of natural daylight, pretty ornaments on the walls and lots of pale pink and copper coloured decor. The contemporary Scandi-style furniture is both aesthetically pleasing and a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a meal.

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I visited Panzo on a weekday lunchtime with a friend and was surprised to find the restaurant full and buzzy, despite only opening a few weeks before. I loved the retro Gazzosa Macario drink, a sparkling soda that you can only get in Italy.

The menu is brief and tempting… we opted for the ‘Tina’ to start; burratina with cherry tomatoes and basil. It was just as it should be, creamy and rich and particularly tasty with a pinch of salt and pepper.

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The special dough at Panzo is made with a combination of rice flour, soy flour and wheat flour, with less gluten and less calories than regular dough. The unique ‘double-cooking’ method makes the dough crispier and easier to digest, so though it’s filling you won’t leave feeling uncomfortably full. The amazing pizzas are showcased in the front window, seducing passers by and convincing them to come in.

We tasted the ‘Luchino’, a meat-lovers dream with Ventricina, Nduja, Mozzarella and fresh chilli. It was full of flavour, with a delicious mix of good quality cured meats and a spicy kick from the chilli. Though initially I thought it might need more cheese, the thick chunks of mozzarella were sufficient. Vegetarians will enjoy the ‘Easy V’, the tomato base is replaced with a pumpkin base, topped with Aubergines, Courgette, Onion Confit and served with a parmesan sauce to drizzle over the top. This pizza definitely felt more healthy and I missed the mozzarella, but it was an interesting alternative to the standard pizza variations.

Panzo

There are only two desserts on the menu, so naturally we ordered both. Homemade tiramisu was my favourite, indulgent layers of thick cream and sweet coffee goodness. The chocolate explosion was a less exciting light chocolate mousse.

Panzo is the perfect place to have lunch on Exmouth Market. With lots of menu updates coming soon I’m looking forward to returning asap to try more from this inventive pizzeria.

More information about Panzo and book a table here.

At the Chapel, Bruton

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Bruton is home to the hip Hauser & Wirth gallery space so it makes sense that there is somewhere suitably stylish and creative for visitors to stay nearby. In the centre of the charming town of Bruton you will find At the Chapel, a beautifully restored medieval chapel with eight minimalist luxury bedrooms, a relaxed restaurant and an artisan bakery.

We were staying in Room 8 for a night, an indulgent mid-week escape from London. This large ground-floor room opens out onto a garden terrace and has a stunning spacious marble bath with free-standing bath and walk-in shower. Rooms range in price dependent on size, from £150 for the most petite to £250 for Room 5 which can accommodate families. I loved Room 2 which features the original 19th century stained glass window and Room 6, a first floor, south-facing bedroom which is gloriously light and offers views of the surrounding area. The rooms are decorated with modern artworks and vintage furniture, whilst ensuring the top comfort with king-sized decadent beds and smart tvs and ipod docks. The bathrooms are elegant and smart with Ren toiletries and cosy bathrobes.

The food at At the Chapel has a widespread reputation for good reason. Homemade pizzas at night and freshly baked croissants in the morning (delivered to the room) kept me satisfied. Locals visit the bakery throughout the day to pick up lunch or pastries and we couldn’t help buying a few of the irresistable loaves before we left.

During the day the building is at your disposal. Choose to enjoy an aperitif in the Clubroom or out on the terrace, or read the newspapers with a coffee upstairs in the secluded balcony. There are regular arty events held here and a wineshop stocking a carefully chosen selection of organic and biodynamic wines from small producers.

Without much competition nearby, At the Chapel is single-handedly making Bruton a must visit destination for hip foodie travellers.

Book a stay At the Chapel here.

Pizza Union, King’s Cross

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King’s Cross is booming with new food and beverage outlets. Pizza Union has just joined the crowd, an industrial style restaurant with neon lights and Italian tiled tables. Despite its recent opening the restaurant is already popular with locals. The Pizza Union team pride themselves on offering super speedy service and incredibly fresh food so it is an ideal lunch choice for those working nearby. I took along two of my most discerning foodie friends to try out the extensive pizza menu.

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We barely had time to say hello… Within 5 minutes of ordering, three delicious pizzas were in front of us and the prosecco was poured out. The 12 inch pizzas are thin-crusted and generously covered in the toppings of your choice. We tried a few different varieties, but it was the Calabria that we all fought over. A luxurious pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, mascarpone, n’duja spicy sausage and rocket. It was a lovely combination of creamy cheese and spicy meat, topped with fresh peppery rocket leaves. If you are a meat fan, the pepperoni is also nice with a plentiful scattering of pepperoni. There are accompanying salads, should you desire a little extra greenery, and we also tried the indulgent sauces (creamy garlic is the best), which are ideal for dipping crusts into.

The staff were keen for us to try a pudding pizza. This consists of a warm dough ring filled with Nutella and mascarpone. As you cut the circuit a gooey creamy chocolatey interiors oozes out… we thought we were full, but obviously not as we were soon staring down at a clean empty plate. It is a delicious and simple dessert, but if you have had enough dough for the day opt for a pistachio or salted caramel gelato instead.

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Pizza Union is a cheap and cheerful venue to enjoy great pizza and prosecco, it was the perfect setting for a girl’s evening catching up.

More information about Pizza Union here: www.pizzaunion.com