Tag Archives: pizza

Spring Peckham Pop-ups

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Peckham is a fertile temporary home for pop-up ventures, with plenty of disused buildings to transform and a crowd of eager locals willing to try anything. And as the warm weather approaches, South London is beginning to boom again with markets, events and short-term food and drink offerings. Here are a few fleeting foodie fixtures I’ve discovered in my neighbourhood of Peckham recently.

Crust Conductor – the concept is simple… wood-fired pizza on a stationary double decker bus! The retro London Leyland Titan 1980s bus is found next door to Peckham Rye Station and is open for business all day Saturday and Friday nights. For the ultimate party you can hire the whole bus from Thursday-Sunday. Jonny Henfrey from popular Peckham pub The Gowlett uses a wood-fire oven within the vehicle to create cheesy delights. For a thirst-quenching drink buy a beer from Brick Brewery just outside the bus, the perfect pizza accompaniment. Pizzas start at £6, I loved the Spanish Archer with chorizo, chargrilled peppers and garlic (£8).

Burger Bear – I’d heard of this elusive burger company from fellow foodies, but had never made it along to one of its obscure market spots. Now that it’s got a residency in The Old Nun’s Head pub, I was the first in line to try the juicy burgers. This friendly pub is hosting the Burger Bear team every Monday and Tuesday 6-10pm and Saturdays 12-10pm. The BB boys like to keep it local, all their meat is sourced from South London butchery Flock & Herd. I recommend the sloppy and indulgent ‘Grizzly Bear’, a cheeseburger topped with double oak smoked bacon and Burger Bears Bacon Jam, £10.

Forza Win – Forza Win aims to create “awesome Italian cuisine using seasonal British ingredients”. The company has been around for a few years, touring London using neglected but atmospheric spaces and serving up flavoursome seasonal food. Last month the team came back to their Peckham homeland with a new concept: Spring Chickens. For £35 a head you will get a five course feast, featuring the ‘100 day chicken’. Or for something cheap and casual, every Wednesday you can just turn up for a bowl of pasta and glass of wine for £10.

Frank’s – London’s most popular seasonal rooftop bar is reopening in May ready for another summer of fun. Trek up to the top of the multi-storey carpark, grab an Aperol Spritz from the bar and enjoy the hazy views of London’s skyline.

For more ideas of things to do in Peckham see my post here.

London Food Markets

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For foodie fanatics London is the perfect city. With frequent restaurant openings, new cafes and constant pop-up events there is always something exciting to satisfy your appetite. In my opinion the best way to try tasty trends is on the streets at one of London’s outdoor markets. Whilst enjoying the summer spells I have scooted round town trying the best delicacies and recipes from London’s street-food sellers, here’s my pick of the bunch…

Street Feast – this seasonal event took place in Dalston Yard and Model Market every Friday and Saturday and in Battersea Thursday – Sunday, until September 21st. Enthusiastic eaters hopped from stall to stall trying fragrant foods. Head to the Gin Store first for a wonderfully mixed aperitif tipple. For food there are endless options, my favourites were: juicy burgers from Bleecker Street Burger, Indian inspired snacks at Rola Wala, Pork buns from Yum Bun, thick pork ribs from Smokestak and finally salted caramel ice-cream from Sorbitium. Take plenty of cash so you can eat as much as you want, and trust me you will want a lot!

Broadway Market – This market covers the street from Regent’s Canal to London Fields and takes place every Saturday. This lovely neighbourhood will delight all your senses. I encourage you to walk the whole length of the street before deciding on a dish. The Butchies buttermilk chicken burgers are absolutely unmissable… a crunchy crispy coated chicken slammed between a lightly fried brioche bun with mustardy mayo, lettuce and thinly sliced gerkins. For something sweet head to the pretty Meringue Girls stall and for coffee Climpson & Sons is the best bet.

Netil Market – Just round the corner from hectic Broadway is this smaller and more relaxed marketplace. Here you will find vintage stalls, a mini coffee shop, and a bike servicing shed for cyclists. Enjoy retro burgers from renowned patty producers, Lucky Chip or go for something more exotic like pork buns from Bao London. For the thickest milkshake you’ll ever taste order an Oreo Shake from Street Shake. Once your stomach is filled look round the clothes and gifts, I loved the delicate handmade jewellery from We Are Arrow.

Brockley Market – This friendly South London market recently celebrated its third birthday.  Located in Lewisham College car park this market offers locally sourced seasonal fresh fruit & veg, meat, fish & poultry, plants & flowers,  ice-cream, award-winning coffee,  artisan bread & charcuterie and much more. Moments away from St John station (just 8 minutes from London Bridge) this market is not as far away as it seems. I sampled an exquisite VanDough pizza, juicy MotherFlipper burger, and Ruby Violet salted caramel ice-cream for pudding. Takes place on Saturdays 10am-2pm.

Wapping Market – the sister market to Brockley, Wapping takes place by the picturesque canal of Brussels Wharf. Visit on a Sunday morning (10am-2pm) to pick up your weekly shop from the artisan stalls, or just indulge in a decadent lunch. Here a group of us tried Spit and Roast chicken burger, authentic Italian pasta from Pasta e Basta and exotic baps from Bill and Beak. My favourite was the sweet Crosstown donut which I paired with a Dark Fluid coffee.

Market followers should also check out other markets Maltby Street Market and Columbia Road.

Mayfair Pizza Co, Mayfair

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I thought there was nothing left to discover in Mayfair. London’s poshest streets are awash with glossy art galleries, designer clothes shops and expensive fine eateries, so when I got an email about Mayfair Pizza Co my interest was ignited. Located in the idyllic car-free courtyard of Lancashire Court, it is a popular place for professional locals to gather for an after work drink or supper with friends.

A slim staircase leads to an airy high ceilinged room, rustic wooden tables are lined up with plush blue-grey velvet chairs. It is a mix of Italian tradition and British style. The attractively stored wine bottles looked very tempting but delicate glasses of fizzy arrived, a Bellini for me. The very drinkable house Prosecco is priced at £5 a flute, though be warned it is quite addictive.

The menu features a selection of Italian antipasti and starters, simple pasta dishes and a range of creative pizzas. Bitesize Black truffle and mozzarella arancini balls were delightful. Trialling the counter artisan meats and cheeses was definitely a good idea, these delicacies are top quality. I would particularly recommend the Speck di Montagne, Burratina and rich and flavoursome Wild boar salami.

A few pizzas caught my eye, there is certainly a good variety on offer. Caprina is a lovely summery option with mozzarella, goat’s cheese, red peppers, rocket and parmesan, whilst meat eaters will devour the Salami, chorizo, Parma ham and pancetta. The kitchen kindly added extra red onion and nduja spicy sausage when we enquired about it. Additional pizza toppings are charged at £2 each; pizzas are priced between £8 and £16. The bases are medium thickness and toppings are distributed evenly throughout. The cheese is generous and I really loved the fresh crunchy rocket and salty parmesan on my pizza. The meat variety was a little overwhelming, I loved the chorizo and parma ham but wasn’t keen on the salami which tasted too salty and processed.

Dessert caused quite a conundrum, there were three we wanted. Promising to make smaller portion sizes we ordered all three. Nutella Calzone with marshmallow and crushed hazelnuts was a boy’s pudding, thick dough that squelches with a gooey sweet filling. Hardcore Italian food fans will enjoy the Tiramisu, though I found the proportion of cream to sponge wasn’t quite right… there was too much cream to get through. The salted caramel chocolate pot is little and luxurious, smooth and rich fondant-like mousse topped with crackling popping candy and chocolate crumbs.

Pizza and Prosecco are two of my favourite things and I can’t think of a nicer place to enjoy these indulgences than Mayfair Pizza Co.

More information and book here: www.mayfairpizzaco.com