Franco Manca - Is This Best Pizza in South London?

[Marmora Man]

Franco Manca

Eventually following up on a recommendation by BJL back in May on the Locale thread I tried the Franco Manca pizzeria at Unit 4, Market Row, Brixton Market today.

Fantastic and highly recommended. Tastes just like the pizzas I ate in Naples when visiting there regularly between '83 - '86. Far better than I've tasted anywhere in UK.

Only 6 choices - basic Margherita (?4.60), Ricotta and cured Pork loin (?4.90), Mushroom, Garlic & Anchovy (?4.80), Tomato, garlic, oregano, olives, anchovy & mozzarella (?5.40), Chorizo & Mozzarella (?5.60) and Tomato, Garlic & Oregano (?3.90).

Wine ?1.20 / glass and ?6.80 a bottle! Good glugging rustic wine from Piedmont - matches the gutsy flavours of the pizzas. Excellent expresso to follow.

Most ingredients and drinks are organic (if that's you're thing)and sourced from Brindisa (cured meats), Chadwick's Organic butchers (other meats), Wild Caper (Veg) and Monmouth coffee.

2 pizzas, 1 glass wine, 2 lemonades and an expresso = ?15.40.

Warning: The queues are long (15 - 20 minute wait for a space) and tables are shared - which only adds to a very cosmopolitan experience. My son and I joined two ladies in their 60's; one Austrian - the other Italian, both long time UK residents who made interesting lunch companions, as they left two younger women joined us - one German the other British. Behind in the queue were two French students, ahead of us in the queue were three Italians.

Franco keeps the whole show on the road, juggling tables, customers, staff and fellow Brixton market traders thru' constant chatter and exchanges of insults and jokes.

It's only open Mon - Sat at lunchtimes.

[Asset]

Sounds great, one to visit before the cinema.

[Marmora Man]

Sounds great, one to visit before the cinema.

Except its not open of an evening - which is a real shame.

[pk]

also recommended in the observer last week

[Asset]

lunch before an afternoon film......