A Home From Homeslice | Homeslice Pizza, 52 Wells Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3PR

Come in, make yourself at Home(slice). Photograph: Charlie McKay

When writing up our restaurant reviews, the first thing that I try to do is think of a title. It has to be witty (usually fails), pun-tasticly clever (again hit and miss) and grab your attention (even if for the wrong reasons).

When I was asked to write up a travel piece for the day job at Woman’s Own about a recent family holiday in an all mod cons camper van, the headline wrote itself – ‘Mobile home from home’. So as soon as I knew that we were (finally) off to review the Homeslice’s newest location in Fitzrovia, I kept waking in the dead of night with a heading for this post… ‘Home(slice) is where the heart is’ – but they don’t put offal on their pizzas. ‘Home sweet Home(slice)’ – they didn’t seem to have a dessert menu and ‘Charity begins at Home(slice)’. None of which really worked, but I got there in the end with obvious option.

We’ve been in quite a few discussions about pizza and the authenticity there of. One of which was a quite heated Twitter debate, where some very respected foodie heavyweights ploughed it on both sides of the argument. I just feel sorry for Pizza 1889 who’s gas-fired oven sparked this cyber ‘debate’, simply by adding chicken as a topping on one of their specials, how very dare they!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. What about Homeslice as a venue and most importantly, are their pizzas any good? Decor is fairly standard out-off-the-box industrial style, exposed brickwork, a wall of gloss tiles, copper piping and rough plastered ceilings. Decorators across the land must be praying for when perfectly painted and papered walls come back again.

I know a good plasterer! Oh, I see, you WANT the walls like that… Photograph: Charlie McKay

Seating is simple, some booths but mostly long tables and stools and lighting is low and cosy. There isn’t any clutter on the tables, no knives, no forks, we couldn’t even see a menu. That’s chalked up on blackboards on the wall. Even the plates are paper, possibly to save some poor soul having to wash up.

There was a real buzz about the place. Near us a couple of girls chatted excitedly whilst rummaging though their shopping bags, discussing their latest fashion buys. A trio of suited office workers were obviously winding down with a few beers and a long table of students were whooping and high-fiving at some good news. Music was loud but not so you couldn’t hold a conversation, the plus side was that I could slurp my drink. When your wife suffers from Misophonia, this is a blessing, believe you me

Saff does like to match her nails to her drink…

Homeslice started life in 2011 with a hand-built wood fired oven serving slices at street food markets across east London. Now they have three permanent locations, all with the same ethos – to ‘serve fresh, quality produce and a menu that evolves seasonally, balancing classic combinations with more innovative flavour and texture profiles’. They do a nice little selection of drinks too – Camden Hell’s Lager, £4.50 a pint, wine from £4 a glass, craft beers £5 and of course, some cocktails all £9.

Pretty in pinks… And tasty too

And (surprise surprise) that’s what we had, a cocktail each. A Spiced Cherry Collins for me (more lemon than cherry) and a tart Hibiscus Sour for Saff. Then time to decide on a pizza. Do we share a 20″ monster or go solo with a couple of slices at £2 each?

The problem with sharing pizza with Saff is that she can’t eat cheese and I absolutely love it. Luckily Homeslice have the perfect solution – a proper half and half pizza – not only can you have different toppings the sauces can be different too! I went for the Caprese with a tomato sauce, red onion, basil, fresh tomato and burrata from the Chef’s Deli.

While Saff’s half was the ever popular mushroom (three varieties) with garlic sauce, toasted pumpkin seeds, chilli flakes and a sweet soy dressing (minus the ricotta). They kindly served the burrata separately so Saff could have a slice of my Caprese before I tore it up and covered it in the stuff.

I know, I know, my half is bigger than yours!

When this 20″ bad boy first hit our table we honestly didn’t think we’d didn’t think we’d ever be able finish it. But the dough is so light and the toppings deliciously fresh that we wolfed it down in, what seemed, seconds. To be honest, I preferred Saff’s mushroomy half. She allowed me a little slither, to which I added some of my burrata. Wow! What a taste combo, the sweet soy and the creamy cheese – I can only imagine how wonderful the subtle tang of the ricotta would have tasted.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, are these pizzas the best of all? Photograph: Charlie McKay

We loved it here, the restaurant has a real homely feel (as the name suggests), service is friendly and swift, whilst the selection of pizzas knock all your usual high street varieties for six. The intimate downstairs bar is super cosy too. I was so intrigued by the goat shoulder and sumac yogurt pizza and any other time the pulled brisket with pickles and a BBQ sauce would have had my name all over it. The only downside – there doesn’t seem to be a dessert menu, oh well.

You have no excuse wandering into a mediocre pizza restaurant now that you know about Homeslice, and as they have three branches scattered around central London, you’re never too far from a proper pizza.

homeslicepizza.co.uk
52 Wells Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3PR
Telephone: 0203 151 9273
Email: wellsstreet@homeslicepizza.co.uk

Opening times: Mon to Sat 12pm-11pm
Sun 12pm-10pm

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Nearest station: Goodge Street or Oxford Circus (7 mins walk)
Tottenham Court Road (10 mins walk)

We ate as guests of Homeslice, this does not affect our review in any way. We always write with complete honesty.