Brixtonians have been rubbing their hands with glee ever since the arrival of Franco Manca, a cheap-as-chips organic pizzeria run by Neapolitan-expat Giuseppe Mascoli back in 2008. Accolades and awards have been added in increasing numbers thanks to the pizzeria's use of the best quality ingredients sourced by the owner. The original in Brixton has gone from strength to strength, with queues regularly extending outside and around the corner; further branches have opened across London with gusto, although rumours of a turf war with Pizza Express have been firmly laid to rest by Mascoli stating "We can open only six or seven outlets a year at the moment so as you can imagine it’s not feasible". Here's hoping though ;-)
Franco Manca
Website
www.francomanca.co.uk
Monday: 12noon - 17.00
Tuesday - Saturday: 12noon - 23.00
Sunday: 12noon - 22.30
Franco Manca Picture Gallery
All In London Review
Simple, carefully selected ingredients make the best pizza
We’re within the confines of Brixton Market however, which seems a million miles removed from the upmarket Chiswick High Street or the mammoth indoor shopping mall, as we find it by walking past fishmongers and shops selling cheap bric-a-brac; the décor is certainly more market caff than restaurant. The menu has just six types of pizza which look simple enough, with combinations of courgettes, ricotta, mushrooms, ham, and anchovies at ridiculously low prices (between 4.50 ad £6.90). As soon as our choices arrive we know we’ve hit the jackpot. Slices of Gloucester Old Spot Ham, wild mushrooms, creamy ricotta (made by the owner himself, Giuseppe Mascoli, and cheesemaker Lloyd Green) and mozzarella cover one of them; caper berries, black olives, salty anchovies, mozzarella and liberal sprinklings of oregano sit atop the other more piquant version. Both are huge, have a thin dough and very soft crusts, which for once must not be discarded. The best thing (aside from the price) is how tasty everything is despite such simple combinations - to think places like Fire and Stone smother their pizzas with caramelized onions, bacon, sour cream and roast potatoes and call them things like the “New York” to try and make them more interesting.
There may be little in terms of wine with two whites and two reds, along with Sam Smith’s beer and soft drinks, but why spoil a carefully selected menu with too many choices? And in keeping with the food, the Dolcetto and Cortese wines on offer are organic and made with a minimum of sulphur, imported from a small vineyard in Italy. A tremendous little place.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Sep 7, 2011
In The News
Franco Manca has been rated as London’s best pizzeria by anyone who has ever eaten there, and we caught up with the founder..
Franco Manca's new summer menu
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Find the best Pizzas in London
Who doesn't like pizza? Absolutely no one on earth, that's who.
In an area that throngs with delectable eateries Franco Manca stands out. Located on Brixton Market, you can often expect a queue but it’s worth it for the reasonable prices, sourdough base on every pizza and the traditional wood oven.
London's best budget restaurants
Great eats, on the cheap...
One of the co-owners of Franco Manca used to be chief executive of Pizza Express, and this mini-chain has a strict rule of ensuring their most expensive pizza is always 50p cheaper than the Pizza Express margherita. This means their generously-sized pizza with organic southern Italian tomato, Spanish dry cured chorizo and their very own mozzarella is only £6.95.
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