North London neighbourhood pizzeria expands to the west
Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D’Angelo will launch the 50-cover restaurant on 3 February, funded entirely by friends and family.
Priced from £7-£11, the menu will comprise a selection of pizzas with classic Italian toppings available on four types of dough (traditional white flour; wholemeal; gluten free; and vegetable charcoal black base). Toppings will include the likes of nduja; spicy spianata salami; truffle honey; burrata; gorgonzola; and vegan butternut squash cream, alongside seasonal specials.
Alongside the pizzas will be a selection of starters, plates, salads and desserts.
For the launch month, Zia Lucia will add a limited edition, green vegetable dough to the menu.
The drinks offerings comprise spritzes; negronis; bottled beers from Italy and local London brews; and wines sourced from small Italian producers.
The flagship Zia Lucia launched in 2016 on Holloway Road. The restaurant’s name, ‘Zia Lucia’ translates as 'Auntie Lucia', and was chosen in homage to Gianluca’s aunt.
The founders chose to open in Brook Green as it is an area familiar to them.
“‘Gianluca and I used to live in the area, it is where we met and we still have plenty of friends there who have been crying out for our pizzas,” says Vescovo.
The UK’s new wave of pizzerias are rapidly expanding, with independents such as Homeslice, Pizza Pilgrims, Yard Sale and Radio Alice growing across the capital as well as the regions.
[Updated on 17 January to include revised opening date]