Zia Lucia is Bellissimo!
With only 5-6 weeks under its belt we quickly found out why Zia Lucia in Islington will be the talk of the town for decades to come. Offering Londoners a unique way to enjoy pizzas by combining a special selection of unique doughs, rare on the London pizza scene. We were bowled over with the authentic Italian community style dining, the warmth of the staff and the buzz of the customers. We happily chatted with the couple sat next to us about their pizza base and made friends whilst we ate.
Founders, friends and Holloway residents, Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D’Angelo have created Zia Lucia with the help of family, friends and local figures. Inspired and named after Gianluca’s Auntie Lucia: a warm, generous figure in her family and community in Rome, these important values will be recreated in this neighbourhood pizzeria. A fantastic cook and generous host, Zia Lucia is both the inspiration behind the brand and has herself invested in the restaurant. Entirely friend-funded, Zia Lucia’s shareholders are personally involved in the success of the restaurant. General Manager Alessio is a well-known figure in the local neighbourhood, having lived and worked on Holloway Road for over 20 years.
On to the pizzas, as mentioned Zia Lucia offers four different unique bases, there is something for everyone. We had a choice of the vegetable charcoal base, wholemeal base, gluten free base or the traditional base. Being the adventurer that I am, I noticed that the couple next to me were eating what looked like burnt pizzas, alas when I asked them it was the vegetable charcoal based pizza made of a blend of vegetable flour. I opted for the Arianna pizza on the vegetable charcoal base, the toppings on the Arianna consist of Mozzarella, fresh sausage, taleggio goat cheese, pecorino cheese and truffle honey. My friend opted for a wheat base Andrea Pirlo pizza; the toppings were Mozzarella, gorgonzola, apple, truffle and olive sauce. As our pizzas were brought out, on the first look I had pizza envy my friends pizza looked amazing and the apples on top almost made it look like an apple pie. My pizza looked grey literally in comparison! But looks are deceiving, the vegetable charcoal base has now become my pizza of choice, the pizza was almost sweet to the taste and sweetness of the sausage with the truffle honey were an excellent combination. My friend and I did a slice swap, her pizza was amazing too, but after she tasted mine she too became a black pizza convert! – Do not be fooled by the look of the pizza base, you will not be disappointed, just say Abi said to try it.
For dessert we had a type of dough based pizza dessert (naturally), filled with nutella and topped with custard and fruit. I can’t remember what it is called, but I am sure if you ask for the amazing yummy chocolate filled goodness they will know exactly what you mean. I don’t think the dessert needs much more explaining than me saying just try it! If you don’t you must be an alien from out of space and even then I am pretty sure an alien would just try it!
If you’re looking for great Italian food, with great service and food made out of love I would say head down to Zia Lucia. You will not be disappointed and to find a place in London with affordable food, that alone should send you sprinting down Holloway Road. I would recommend this place all day every day, since then I have not been able to look at a normal pizza again the same.
Head down to:
Zia Lucia
157 Holloway Road
N7 8LX
London
@zialuciapizza
