Description: Everyone in North London knows this place. La Porchetta now has branches in Muswell Hill, Holborn and Islington, as well as this, the original, restaurant. "La Porchetta" means "the little pig" and you'll soon work out why!
The pizzas here are immense and hang over the sides of the plate. They're more than generous with the toppings and when you order the seafood pizzas, they come strewn with prawns, mussels (still in the shells), huge chunks of meaty tuna and loads of fresh squid.
The gorgonzola pizza is a dream and I can also recommend the fiorentina with a lovely egg cooked into the top.
Likewise the risottos and pasta dishes come in big servings and, again, there's no scrimping on the ingredients. Vegetarians have plenty to choose from too; not just your standard "veggie" pizza, but a range of interesting toppings and sauces.
What makes this place is the atmosphere; the surroundings may be typical pizzeria but the staff are fantastic. Gorgeous Italian waiters and stylish, black clad waitresses - if it's your birthday, the waiters will dance up to your table singing "Happy Birthday", banging spoons on trays and generally making you wish the floor would open up. It's worth it though because the birthday boy or girl usually gets a complimentary dessrt with a candle!
Around £5 for a main course, throw in a litre of house wine for £8 - this place is one of the best cheap eats in London. A stone's throw from Finsbury Park, it's not out of the way but with branches all over north london now, there's got to be one near you.
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