Wednesday 21 March 2012

Pizza Pilgrims at Berwick Street Market

In the interests of full disclosure and all that, I should state that one third of the Pizza Pilgrims (Thom) is a friend and we worked together. When I heard he was leaving the company to start a pizza van I was full of admiration (and, I'll admit, a little envy). I watched their Twitter stream and their Facebook status updates as well as YouTube videos as they made their way around Italy, learning to make pizza from the masters and picking up their Piaggio Ape van that was to house their pizza oven.

I think I've managed to remain unbiased though and you should really believe me when I say their pizza is indeed excellent. But given my previous disclaimer you may not, but it'll only cost you £6 to find out. The pizza I had was dotted with 'Nduja, a spicy spreadable sausage much like the Spanish chorizo. From Calabria, it is typically made with fatty parts of pork shoulder. Dotted sparsely on the pizza, its oils flavoured the dough well and leaves a lingering kick on the palate.

The dough was rolled thin and cooked until the crusts puffed and the insides stayed soft and pliable. On the day we visited on their first week, it took around 10 minutes from placing my order and receiving my pizza. I watched with fascination at the pizza oven built into their tiny van. I ate it then and there in the sunshine, melty cheese strands dangling out of my mouth and a small glob of basil-scented tomato sauce on my chin.

They are there Monday - Friday lunchtimes.

10 comments:

PDH said...

Cannot wait to try one of those!

Kavey said...

Nduja pizza sounds lush.

Ginglesnuff said...

I am taking a day off next week and this is definitely where I'm going for lunch. Hope the have the nduja on the menu.

Anonymous said...

Was as Berwick St. Market last week to try the Banh Mi and saw the Pilgrims. Pizza looks bloody good for £5/6!

JenRussellSmith said...

Thanks for this! I spotted them whilst wandering by on my lunch break recently and wondered if the pizza was any good. Will have to try it next time.

The Perfect Trough said...

No nduja when I swung by! Will be there tomorrow I think...

Dan said...

That looks frigging awesome. I could go one of those, pretty much anytime really.

Hollow Legs said...

Paul - Have you tried one yet? They are excellent.

Kavey - it was too.

Gingle - I hope so too - get there early, maybe.

Will - it was great!

jeneveve - yep, do give them a try.

Perfect Trough - oh, maybe they'd run out...

Dan - I culd too. I imagine a fat future...

Anonymous said...

P.P. is on the net a lot, all good reviews. I must make a Pizza again sometime, our local pizza take out is so rubbish. It will be on my blog when I do.
I stopped eating Pizza for a while after being in Italy for a month nothing came near, San Benedetto and Gottammare pizza. They don’t deliver either. I live in Devon, London probably has better Pizza.
You lucky Londoners.

holly said...

one of my favourite soho lunches :) love berwick st market