The Real Man Pizza Company - One for goodfellas, not for tough guys... Dec 2011

"Home of the hottest pizza in the United Kingdom". I'd assumed that the 'Real Man' referred to the cojones needed by anyone sampling the aforementioned Diablo, but there's allegedly a Manx connection at this newish Farringdon pizzeria just down from the Eagle. The small island, better known for TT racing and tail-less cats hasn't on the surface anything significant to add to the pizza story, but the kitchen gamely attempt to inveigle the local queenies - a small, sweet scallop found in the waters off the island - into a couple of the dishes.

The special one, a tricked up margarita, delivers its kick though a ferociously spicy tomato sauce. It's sweeter than expected, with a residual heat that builds after initial impact. To be honest, it could have done with a modicum more texture. Chunks of spicy sausage or ham would have given a little welcome variation.

It's not an expensive meal, nor an overly salubrious location, though it works well for the local lunchtime and post work crowd of office workers and creatives who don't want to fight through the crowds of Exmouth Street Market.


Other pizza related reviews and links:
A brief history of pizza - "when the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's the most popular fast food in the world..."
A tale of two pizzas - Reviews of Firezza and The Gowlett