01.05.2017 Views

May 2017

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

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

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!