Do we need another East London pizza place?
Probably not. Franco Manca, Sodo and Voodoo Rays to name a few have that locked down. But a decent pub serving good food; that, we can never have enough of.
If you’re expecting a sit down meal with cutlery to slice away at your pizza then you’re better off making a reservation at a restaurant. If a thin based and perfectly oily pizza brought to your table in a pizza box is more up your street – something to accompany a pint or something off the cocktail menu – then this is up your street.
Slip out of Victoria Park to find the Lord Morpeth straddling a street corner in Bow decked out inside with the reclaimed vibe that we’re very used to now. But little touches like the vintage Star Wars pinball machine, the Jaws film poster or the original Pac-man tabletop game make you feel like some thought and passion went into where customers would hang out. The staff are chilled and friendly – plus it’s always a good reflection of the bar staff that so many patrons choose to sit around the bar itself.
Sourdough Saloon is their new resident pizza offering with 15 different pizzas on the menu, all priced between £7 to £10.
You order at the bar – because it’s a pub afterall – relax and enjoy a warm boxed pizza at your table. You could be recovering on a Sunday, there to watch the football or just catching up with mates. Theres no pretentiousness and the same goes for the pizza. A perfectly crispy thin base – thin enough for the end to droop slightly but crisp enough to not limply drape itself over your fingers like a lame margherita handshake.
We ordered the Siciliana and The Morpeth. The latter could have been more grand, what with taking its name from the pub itself and it was slightly lacking in gorgonzola but was nothing to complain about. A stronger gorganzola presence may have ruined the pizza in hindsight so im not going to stress about it. Either its a happy mistake or someone has made a sensible decision in the kitchen. Throw on a splash of chilli oil and you can’t go wrong 🙂
The pizzas weren’t overly filling so you can still load up on drinks, but I definitely wasn’t left hungry. The Siciliana was a good choice as well with black olives and anchovies, maybe too salty for some by the time you near your last slice, but again nothing to moan about. So all in all we had a great Sunday lunch – relaxed, stuffed and definitely considering a return visit.
www.lordmorpeth.co.uk
402 Old Ford Rd, Bow, E3 5NR
