Pizza East is a modern take on the pizzeria. The menu features traditional and rustic ingredients, with a progressive approach to gourmet pizza and a commitment to sourcing seasonal and local produce.
Pizza East
Pizzerium in Shoreditch
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All In London Review
Pizza lovers must head to Pizza East
We walk in to be greeted by a smiley trio of extremely pretty girls at the entrance. Our waitress is also stunningly beautiful, as well as helpful and very charming; I almost want to tip her at the start of the meal for being so darn lovely.
The restaurant is housed in the Tea Building, which has previously been home to nightclub T-Bar. The industrial-looking décor has remained; beams and pipes are on view, contrasting with the quaint red brick walls and sleek chandelier lighting. It all looks remarkably good.
It’s a Friday night and England is playing, but despite the World Cup Pizza East is so busy I was warned when I made the reservation that we’d have to give our table back after an hour and a half.
While we peruse the - mostly Italian - wine list we try to find something semi-decent for less than £25. There are a few options, but the vast majority go above this price and up to £86 for a Tiganello 2006. We settle for the Nero d’Avola, which at £21 seems to be the cheapest palatable bottle, although really we want the Barolo, however priced at £80 it’s likely to cost more than our entire meal.
We enquire about the ‘whole artichoke’ (£6) under the ‘fried’ section of the menu and whether it’s going to be a messy, leaf-peeling affair, however the waitress explains that it is in fact quartered and has been marinaded for a long time, therefore there is no need to get our fingers dirty. When it arrives, leaves are crispy and golden while the heart is beautifully tender. It’s not quite a whole artichoke unless frying has shrunk it considerably, it is nonetheless a lovely starter.
I opt for the pizza with smoked salmon, tomato, ricotta and capers (£10). It’s large, with thin, crispy dough, generous slices of smoked salmon, little dollops of baked ricotta here and there, and capers scattered over the top. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable combo of flavours.
The potato, pancetta and puzzone cheese (£11) is not as stodgy as it may sound. Very thinly sliced potato with cheese and pancetta makes a delicious topping. Potato has been popping up more and more at London pizzerias, from simple rosemary and potato to cheesier varieties such as this one.
True to their word, the waitress tells us our time is up, however we are welcome to take our wine elsewhere within the restaurant. There is a downstairs area they’ve called ‘Concrete’ with a soundsystem and space to dance (perhaps for when diners have been chucked off their tables).
Our meal has been so good we can’t be upset over how busy they are, and at their aim to cater to everyone who wants to get in on the action. A definite must for any pizza-lover.
Reviewed by Leila
Published on Jun 24, 2010
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As befitting a venture taking over the Tea Building, once known for host memorable club nights, the space beneath the main restaurant, Concrete, has music and dancing most nights of the week, although it’s hip hop and pop rather than house music these days. Pizza fans cannot miss the delicious offerings like rabbit and potato, puzzone and garlic.
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Pizza East needs little introduction but if you are unaware of how much it rules then simply witness its rapid expansion. With locations in the east, north and west its combination of gourmet pizza (veal meatballs anyone), informal atmosphere and hip architecture seems to be a winner wherever it goes.
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Loud music, impossibly good looking staff, great pizza and good wine; it’s not a hip East End bar, it’s the hip East End pizzeria owned by Soho House. Once you’ve spotted the object of your affection take them downstairs to nightclub Concrete.
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Let the good times roll.
Aside from the top pizzas, this hip restaurant from the Soho House group has a lively atmosphere and the Shoreditch branch has a nightclub in the basement.
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