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as an afterthought i'd like to give pappagone another 3 feet for lack of pan-banging birthday BS and a piece of string of indeterminate length for having the footy on.
Lupa was great when it opened, but went down hill. Firezza tastes best currently, but I'm sure...given time....
Who knows, I'm sure the old art factory will give us something else to compare lozal pizzas with.
ps. does no one round SGR like curry! Whats the deal?
And while we're at it, you can't go wrong with Chez Liline, either.
I used to be a big fan of La Porchetta (and i still love the smell of the garlic that wafts across my garden) and was first taken there by Italian friends about 12 years ago. However, to be honest, i've just found that in recent years, it no longer offers the warm reception or value for money that it once did and to be frank, it could do with refurbishment! I think it still has the same decor that it had when i first went there and it looks a bit tired...
In terms of food, there isn't a great deal of difference but i've switched to Pappagone simply because i find it more appealing to sit and eat my food in. They're both noisy so i don't think thats a deal breaker... the service can be crap in both but actually, in recent years, i've found the staff in Pappagone to be a little friendlier.
I actually agonised about switching my loyalty to Pappagone, such was my love of La Porchetta, and i still prefer their calamari but i do tend to go to Pappagone now and actually, the ice-cream selection is a deal clincher for me!
So there you go. Hello.
Now I feel guilty. Like a pizza slut (which I think should be my username).
Sorry Porchetta.
Unaesthetic - thanks for the feedback on Jai Krishna, I've been there a few times and I can't see the appeal. I used to live in Finchley and was a regular at Rani on Long Lane (Gujarati), where the food is far superior and a lot more traditional dishes.
re: standards at Pappagone - I haven't noticed any change, Had whitebait and Gamberoni recently, both very good. I think the main chef is one of the owners/partners and he's still there.
I can't do La Porchetta - not because of the food, but because the place has the charm and lighting of a petrol station forecourt.
La Porchetta is the first and the best. Pappagone was started by some scurrilous ex-Porc. waiters, in the days when you had to queue to get in the door at La Porchetta! a lot unsuspecting punters having heard of a great place on SGR walked up from the station saw Papps, thought Italian? Pizza? this must be it! - the Pappa. rogues scuppered the Porc.'s expansion plan a few years back for a a bar next door with a brown envelope in the right hands, funded noise complaints etc. - fact. A chef?!! no one at Pappagone can cook, re-heat yes but cook from scratch no - and the pizza is carpet tile topped with melted carrier bag, of course the fish is good it's ten doors from the best fishmongers in London.
La Porchetta in Muswell Hill and Old Compton St. are not connected to the others -these two are owned by Pasquale, one of two founders and the original pizzaiola at SGR, the others in Islington, Clerkenwell Chalk Farm, SGR etc. are owned by the other founder Giancarlo. - the pair fell out very badly but were a great team in the first 2-3 years of La Porchetta - which was small and we used to buy extra deserts and so on to ensure they stayed in business.
Finally have any of you been to Italy -to a pizzeria? - they tend to be on the noisy side and brightly lit - if you want candleit gloom go to a restaurant and if you want Rocky music go to a gig - Pizza and pasta are basic, workers foods and the pizzeria is supposed to attract all sides of the community -the Porc. is closest to that Papps . could just as well serve a full english and kebab on their current menu - it's a terrible place and I can't wait for it to close when someone does a runner from all the bills.
Oh, and as for the service well it helps a lot if you look at the person serving you whilst placing an order and are clear about what you want - don't hover inside the front door waiting to be noticed and don't scan the menu in silence whilst someone stands waiting for your order - telepathy alwyas takes longer!! - engage with them and the place and you get something back. [ a free Limoncello most likely]
Even better still however is Stringray at Highbury Barn (almost opposite Iznick). Their pizzas are truly excellent (and huge), better than Il Baccio on Blackstock Road. Lovely base and generous toppings, plus they do a £5.50 pizza and drink lunch deal. They used to do a 3 course and a glass of sparkling for a tenner dinner deal until a year or two ago. I used to go lots on work lunches. Yum.
The food is good at La Porchetta and I don't think there;s any discernable difference in quality. I also don't care about the ambiance/styling of La Porchetta, although I think the place could look better, the the service is utterly abominable. Every time I've gone in there I've been ignored by waiters. I don't care if that's how it's done in a real Italian pizzeria, it's not in Italy.