Fire & Stone

Fire and Stone brings a new direction to the humble pizza, in the heart of London, with wood-fired, stone baked pizzas in stylish surroundings, at affordable prices. The culinary genius behind this exciting enterprise is Anthony Morrison, with a working pedigree that includes Mesclun Brasserie and the Conran Group.

The pizza was discovered in the middle of the last century in Italy where of course it had been part of the cuisine for as long as most people could remember. Since then its entry into the culinary folklore of Britain is well recorded, along with in many cases a decline in quality as the mass market has mishandled the product. Now, along with its cousin the burger, it is being brought back to life as quality and integrity of ingredients becomes more of an issue in matters of food.

Which is where Fire and Stone picks up the running. Executive Chef Anthony Morrison has created a menu of welcome simplicity, consisting of 23 pizzas, 5 salads with vegetarian options, 4 sides and 4 desserts. The menu also takes the daring step, for a pizzeria, of widening the menu to embrace a more international approach.

In a recent interview Anthony said, "There is a real gap in the market for simple, fresh and tasty fast food at affordable prices that will appeal to the masses. With my team I hope we'll be able to fill that gap with a simple menu served in a fun and informal environment".

The setting for this bracing new approach to an old favourite is Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, where a 7000 sq foot dining room has been created over two floors. Central to the design is a conical shaped floor to ceiling pizza oven, round which is a walkway from which customers can view their pizzas as they cook.

An open plan kitchen is located on the ground floor and a private dining space at mezzanine level off the first floor seats up to 24. The interior is a tasteful blend of grey, reclaimed timber against the more primary colours of furnishings and murals.

Amongst the rousing and contemporary toppings meet The Sydney, with crisp oven-roasted smoked bacon, free range egg, shaved smoked ham, mozzarella, Fire & Stone's tomato sauce, basil and chives. The New York includes crispy oven roasted smoked bacon, mozzarella, Fire & Stone's tomato sauce, garlic & rosemary roast potatoes, caramelized onion jam, topped with sour cream and smoked paprika. All the pizzas are made fresh daily, right from scratch and are offered within a very reasonable £6 to £9 range.

Amazing value is their Special Lunch, only £4.50, but it must be booked directly, while you you can check with them or their Website about fixed price offers in the evening.

The wine list draws on the New and Old Worlds and - a great touch this - all the wine on offer is available by the glass.

Fire and Stone has all the confidence of a place that knows exactly what it is about, cares for its customers and has no intention of looking backwards. As we predicted after it opened, it has succeeded, and brilliantly. For further information, including their full menu, a visit to their Website is recommended.