May 2017
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Eating out<br />
Martello Hall<br />
Nobody likes to see a gold old pub close but Susan<br />
Birtwistle thinks this pizzeria is a good replacement<br />
"Shame on you,"’ Harry told our polite and<br />
delightful waiter. We’d all just got back from Rome<br />
and he was ready for a pint. Unfortunately for<br />
him, the old established 19th century pile of a pub<br />
was now converted into a pizzeria, Martello Hall.<br />
The chat continued about the loss of our<br />
traditional local pubs and I do kind of miss them,<br />
certainly the community idea of them. I didn’t<br />
frequent the London Fields boozer but I liked it<br />
being there, for those that did. However, it has to<br />
be said Martello Hall remains as a local drinking<br />
establishment, and a popular one.<br />
I’ve personally tested out the G&Ts on at least<br />
three occasions, and they’re damn good. It has<br />
a gin distillery on site, you know. It also has 12<br />
wines on tap – yep that’s only wine. No beer or<br />
stout on tap, hence the ‘pint gate’ moment.<br />
Of course it’s the gentrification. Brand new blocks<br />
of flats are being built all around and you can see<br />
that Martello’s slightly flashy interior is a good<br />
match for those golden-balconied flats next door.<br />
They too are going to love it. Hot desking with free<br />
coffee by day, then a casual moon walk across for<br />
cocktails and DJs at night. The vibe is good.<br />
But we were there to eat pizza. I’d read that many<br />
consider this the best pizza in London. Martello’s<br />
does have its own wood-fired oven.<br />
In Rome they cook them waffer thin and blistering,<br />
with simple toppings. The toppings here have<br />
been personally chosen from the chef's Italian<br />
travels, so along with the classic Margherita, we<br />
chose one topped with roast squash and beetroot<br />
ricotta, hazelnuts and kale. Dee-licious.<br />
We also had a Smokey Bandit which was smoked<br />
pancetta and potato, truffle taleggio. Sooper tasty.<br />
There’s a choice of nine pizzas – have one with<br />
a salad of rocket, fennel and roasted garlic, you<br />
can’t go wrong. Prego.<br />
137 Mare Street, E8, martellohall.com<br />
Pizzas £8-£15. They also do take-out.<br />
34 LOVEEAST