As restaurant names go, 081 Pizzeria is a strong contender for ‘most likely to be mistaken for a WiFi password.’ But the pizza? That part is pillowy-crusted, inventively topped, and award-winningly good.
The whole operation was founded back in 2021 by Naples-born Andrea Asciuti, a co-founder of the beloved Streatham pizzeria, Bravi Ragazzi. After a tw0-year run of successful pop ups around South London, Andrea opened a permanent site in Peckham and now, he’s opening a second, larger site in Shoreditch. It seems that, much like his crusts, he’s on the rise.
And to mark the occasion? Nudge Members are getting in for three exclusive preview nights with 50% off food at the new 081 Pizzeria in Shoreditch on 31st March, 1st & 2nd April.
The pizzas (crowned #43 out of 50 at Top Pizza Europa 2024) are sought out primarily for their unconventional toppings. Signatures on the menu at the new Shoreditch site will include, the Tunarella; topped with yellow cherry tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, red onions, black olive dust, and tuna fillets; or the Meatballs and Ricotta Stuffed Crust, which comes baked with a cooked tomato sauce base, or the Pulled Genovese; a rich combination of slow-cooked pulled beef brisket and ribs with a Genovese ragu. But the real magic of these pizzas is in the dough.
Andrea spent years working on the exact right recipe for his 72-hour fermented dough. It might just be a combination of flour and water but there are literally thousands of other variables to contend with like temperature, moisture, proving conditions, which can all make or break a winning pizza. The long 72-hour ferment creates the billowing crust while also giving the dough depth of flavour. Once kneaded, rolled out and topped, the pizzas are placed on a peel then thrust into a 450°-degree oven for 90 seconds. The result is a perfectly fluffy yet slightly chewy texture, kissed with heat to make all the ingredients really sing.
As the 081 Pizzeria motto goes: “pizza is a serious thing”, but it’s not the only thing. The new will also feature Napoli-style tapas and an abundant selection of Italian wines and cocktails, as well as dough-based desserts, like the Pistachio Doughnut…
…which is definitely something to be taken seriously.
NOTE: 081 Pizzeria is set to open in early April. We’ll be back then with the full scoop. In the meantime you can keep an eye on the 081 Pizzeria Website.
PERK: Nudge Members (+1) are getting in for three exclusive preview nights with 50% off food at the new 081 Pizzeria in Shoreditch on 31st March, 1st & 2nd April. Find out more under the ‘50% Off Food’ banner above.
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081 Pizzeria | 46 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3EP
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