Addommè

After somewhere relatively local for my nephew’s first trip out (aged 5 weeks!), we went to Streatham’s Hill’s pizzeria, Addommè.  The Evening Standard had, after all, hailed it as one of London’s best sourdoughs.  And what’s more, you can book– a rarity nowadays but essential with little ones. As the restaurant itself is tiny, booking ahead is advised. It was very busy the evening we visited, so much so that it felt like the owners were trying to rush us out. One of the waiters even asked the rest of the table whether they wanted a desert or after-dinner aperitif before I’d even finish the mains.

On that note, this place is very unpretentious inside and out. Whilst most of the reviews describe the service as friendly and authentically Neapolitan, we found it rude. Not only did they appear to be rushing us out, but the pizzas arrived in a fairly staggered fashion, they were dropping things all over the show and the owners weren’t at all welcoming.

Whilst the service was slightly slap dash, the pizzas didn’t disappoint.  We shared a selection of the vegetarian offerings: Bufalina (£9.90) with buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, basil and olive oil; Capri (£11.25), with mozzarella, parmesan, basil, cherry tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and olive oil; and Ricotta & Melanzane a Funghetto (£9.00) with tomato, mozzarella, ricotta, mushrooms, parmesan, basil and olive oil (minus the aubergine).

I loved each one, in different ways. I always have a soft spot for a bianco – it’s like an induction into the mains.  The quality of the generous mozzarella on each pizza was also outstanding, competing with the creamy ricotta for the title of the best cheese of the evening.

But the main attraction of these pizzas are the dough. Cooked in an authentic wood-fired oven, easily visible through the hatch into the kitchen, these sourdoughs are made using a homemade recipe resulting in pizza crusts that shouldn’t be discarded. Cooked to crispy-outside/soft-inside perfection, they were beautifully charred, wonderfully chewy and very generous in size.

All in all, whilst it’s worth trying the pizzas here, for a better atmosphere and service, I’d probably stick to my other pizza favourites: 400 Rabbits, Radio Alice or Theo’s.

Addommè, 17-21 Sternhold Avenue, London SW2 4PA

Website: addomme.co.uk

Rating: **