Franco Manca — Restaurant in London

PART 1.

I attended here on the 24th March 2024, i was served by Naomi, As i was leaving she gave me a card, the card was presented to me and i was asked if i could leave a review, little did she know i was going to anyway, the customer has to want too for it to work well, the energy flows as it should.

I was swiftly seated, her guidance was to a central table, i challenged and requested a corner seat close to the window, she happily obliged and pointed the way, the table was ready and waiting, table number 16, i guess it was meant for me.

Firstly may i comment on all the members of staff that i saw and encountered, from the waiters/waitresses to the chefs, all were dressed like individuals, all were friendly and mostly bubbly and vibrant, the beautiful waitress wearing a colourful head covering was dancing and singing to herself as she moved. I did comment and told her how inspired i was by all of the staff as their individuality shone through. She said "we are all unique individuals", so nice to witness and hear when many establishments are quite rigid and uniform (ascetically).

My service was swift, very swift to be honest, my drinks came within 2 minutes and the food within say 6, not a bad turn around at all.

I had the homemade lemonade which was a nice cool temperature, refreshing and zesty, it came in a bottle, about a glass and a half of refreshing nectar.

Im not usually an alcohol drinker but i decided to have 1 small glass of red wine, its funny my intention was to taste it, sip it but not finish the glass, i was surprised that the wine came in a tumbler type glass, i was expecting to hold a traditional glass, which i think is part of the nostalgia of dining and drinking a glass of wine. I normally have little expectations this way you have little disappointments.

The Wine was DAvola Ross, and pleasant enough, i sipped it slowly throughout the meal and left about a third as this was adequate for me, moderation is my Moto and a major life key.

I requested some water halfway through, i chose tap, it was fine in the moment, i don't usually drink tap water, in that moment i actually decided that would only request bottled water going forward.

The main i ordered was the NO.5 Pizza, Napoletana, i requested gluten free, Naomi actually asked if i was intolerant or allergic to understand my choice, i was impressed with the care she put into getting the order correct with zero confusion.

The Pizza was served by a different waitress who was bubbly and pleasant, she greeted me and blessed me with her grace by saying "enjoy your meal sir".

i cant say i've ordered many gluten free pizzas but going forward its the only base i would choose, yes its different but if that was the only base you had ever tried you would know nothing different.

It was slightly under for my liking but this is not a criticism as i had the option to speak up, i was in an accepting mood, the chef deemed it good so i followed his lead, i caught eyes with 2 chefs behind the counter 1 very friendly fellow in a red hat and another friendly gent in a traditional white chef's hat, i used to chef and i appreciate the frequency transfer with food, a happy chef = a happy plate-, a happy plate = a happy customer.

I believe i may have just invented that phrase, who knows, i also love the phrase never trust a skinny chef, its an interesting one, you can read it so many ways, in theory i guess a skinny chef doesn't eat so much, or eat much of his own food, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with moderation, in fact a slim chef shows the world that he values his physical and the beauty of food is finding balance whilst remain healthy.

I would like to leave a PART 2, hopefully this can be published below PART 1, but the page won't let me leave another review?

Or Google is there a chance of having more characters to leave a more lengthly review, if it brings value of course?

I would love to finish and complete the...

Tucked away in the heart of Baker Street, Franco Manca is a culinary gem that beckons pizza enthusiasts with its authentic Italian flavors and warm ambiance. Stepping into Franco Manca, one is greeted with the tantalizing aroma of wood-fired pizzas and the inviting smile of its exceptional staff.

Maria and Soufiane, two remarkable members of the Franco Manca team, elevate the dining experience to extraordinary heights with their impeccable service and genuine hospitality. From the moment patrons enter the restaurant, Maria and Soufiane extend a warm welcome, making them feel right at home.

The star of the show, however, is undoubtedly the pizza. Each pie boasts a perfectly blistered crust, thanks to the traditional wood-fired oven that imparts a delightful smokiness to every bite. Franco Manca prides itself on using only the finest, locally-sourced ingredients, resulting in pizzas bursting with freshness and flavor.

The menu features a tantalizing array of toppings, from classic margheritas to inventive combinations featuring seasonal produce and artisanal cheeses. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a classic marinara or the boldness of a spicy sausage and wild mushroom pizza, Franco Manca offers something to satisfy every palate.

Beyond the delectable pizzas, Franco Manca's commitment to excellence shines through in every aspect of the dining experience. The cozy ambiance, characterized by rustic wooden furnishings and soft lighting, sets the stage for an unforgettable meal shared with friends and loved ones.

In a city teeming with dining options, Franco Manca stands out for its unwavering dedication to quality and authenticity. With Maria and Soufiane leading the charge, Franco Manca not only serves exceptional pizzas but also creates lasting memories for all who pass through its doors. A visit to Franco Manca is more than a meal—it's a culinary journey steeped in tradition and...

Two stars. I was very disappointed in this whole experience. I'll run through what went down this quiet Tuesday evening. Arrived at 6ish, we were directed to the corner table. (Which for some reason hadn't been cleared). After clearing the table ourselves, we waited about 5 mins before our server came to our table to take our orders (he was a lovely chap). We ordered for starters the spicy sausage and brushetta type dish, which were both really nice. Our drinks arrived just before our food, a draft beer and homemade lemonade. The lemonade was lovely, but was served in a dirty bottle. My beer again was nice, but the glass was filthy. When our starters arrived and I told the young gent about the glass and he happily got me a new one in a shiny clean glass. The pizzas arrived ........... For some background, I have worked in kitchens for 20+ years, I have managed kitchens, ran kitchens and have also work my fare share of pizza parlours. I know how to make a sourdough pizza on the stone. (Which results in slight Charing of the underside of the pizza) so I'm.not complaining about the pizza simply being burnt. The way to counter this is to make the toppings as flavoursome as possible and to keep the Charing to a minimum (there's a few ways to achieve this) Unfortunately none of the above methods were used resulting in both pizzas tasting like carbon and nothing else. We had no check back on our table and before we had even finished our meal another gent came over with the card machine. I was happy for this to be the end of the meal. I said to the server I wasn't paying the service fee (an optional 10%) due to the quality of the food. He said he would pass it on to the chef's before darting away from the table. Nobody thanked us for our custom or said goodbye as we left. I would avoid, I rarely right reviews, then again I rarely experience a situation where I feel the need to. 2 Stars...