London, UK
This pizza restaurant was recommended to me as
being one of the best in London, but it is so far away from anywhere I would
usually go, that I didn’t think I would ever make the trip there. I went online
to check if they do delivery, but unfortunately they only do take away if you
pick it up yourself. I ended up coming across Al Parco by chance one day, after
I had visited the nearby Highgate Cemetery and I had started walking down the
street looking for a taxi. When I suddenly saw the sign across the road, I had
to go in even though I had a huge brunch just a couple of hours earlier. The
décor of the restaurant is very unassuming, and looks like it could have
existed in the same state for decades. I ordered a Capricciosa to take away.
This is my favourite pizza, and the I usually order, so for me it’s a good
gauge for the quality of a restaurant. The crust at Al Parco is
thinner than Firezza, but not too thin as in the Story Deli in Shoreditch. The
textures were great and the amount of cheese and tomato sauce was perfect;
juicy but not soggy. It was simply a very tasty pizza at a reasonable price. I
don’t know any Italians who went there, so I’m not sure where it scores on the
authenticity level, but I daresay this is the best pizza I’ve tried in London.
It is a bit of a mission to make the trip there, as it is not near any tube
stations, but I know I will go there again one day, it was really that
good.