The Gowlett, Peckham, Naples Pizza in a pub?

I went to the Gowlett on the advice of a friend who lived in London for years.
His selling point was that anyone he'd ever brought there had said it was the best pizza they'd ever had. Tall words indeed!

I however was more intrigued by he fact that it sounded like a local boozer doing stunning thin based pizza. I love pizza, if you've read this then you'll know what I mean.

I wasn't wrong, it's literally an old school pub, with a pool table, friendly staff and a beer garden doing great pizza. It's not the best pizza I've ever had, but I was definately impressed that a pub on the borders of central London could hold themselves to such a high standard. We had a bresaola salad which was delicious covered with balsamic vinaigrette and Parmesan, followed up by two pizzas.


After that I had their namesake pizza "Gowlettini" and my friend had a Hawaiian.


Their house red is also a nice touch being fairtrade organic wine, but we had been drinking all day so I can't tell you about that really, we necked it.

What I can say is that my pizza the Gowlettini was fantastic, neopolitan style pizza done exceptionally well, Mozzarella, Goat’s Cheese, Pine Nuts, Proscuitto and Rocket. The best thing was the crust, people who leave the crust like this chump are missing the best part of the pizza, a real pizza lover knows that the proof of a good pizza is in the crust.

Bourdain leaving a real Naples crust on plate, I used to respect him until I saw that.

The point is, crust is probably what I associate the best Naples pizza with, everything else is easily done, i mean, you're just cutting up mozz, basil and blending San Marzanos, but a true Naples style pizza lives and dies on the quality of the crust.

Happily I can report that the Gowlett's crust is top notch, A1, with a nice crunch followed by a springy chew.

See that? Magic.

I now know where to go for a decent pizza in London.

Buen Provecho, Real tacos in the heart of London.

I was so happy to find Buen Provencho. Since moving back from the US I was worried I wouldn't be able to find decent tacos but luckily for me there is Arturo Ortega Rodriguez.
Out of a little stall on Lower Marsh beside Waterloo station three days a week he and his partner serve up delicious tacos straight from the streets of his native Mexico City.

I had pork which is tender shredded pork marinated and braised in orange and spices.
It's called Cochinita Pibil, beautifully silky pork braised to perfection and explodes like a porky pork porksplosion in your mouth.

I asked if the salsa was hot and the lady working there said I should try it first, so offered me a nacho to try it with. It's a medium spicy and there's free guacamole. He will put some refried beans on automatically so if you're not a fan, mention it.

My keyboard doesn't have a pound sign, but they're great value at 6 quid for 3.

Delicious pork, marinated to perfection, mexican salsa picante and a bit of guacamole.

I've since tried the chicken and chorizo too which, while not as spectacular, was very tasty.
They don't use two tortillas like they do in the US and Mexico which means eat it quick or it will explode all over you, and believe me. It's really messy so take some napkins. So glad to have found this place. Now if I can only convince them to try chorizo/lengua/sangrita tacos I'll be the happiest boy in London.

Moved to London

So after 2 and a half years in the US I have moved back to Europe.
London specifically because Dublin is pretty messed up right now.
I know I concentrated more on recipes prior to this but now I think I'll focus more on the restaurants around London.

Stay tuned for reviews coming soon.