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Ealing’s Santa Maria is one of those golden little spots that’s been drawing foodie plaudits for years – in their case, for exemplary Neapolitan-style pizzas. We’ve long-considered them one of London’s best. And now, owners Pasquale and Angelo have done the decent thing and taken over a pub! Didn’t expect that, did you?
Multi primo it sounds, too. The Red Lion – sat next door to Santa Maria – is one of leafy Ealing’s oldest boozers, a Fullers-owned drinking den covered in pics of old Ealing Studios comedy bods. The SM boys have smushed up the kitchens of both eateries, devising an Italian-themed pub menu including ace-sounding bits like a provola-cheese-topped burger, a jam-packed mortadella and provola sandwich (with pistachio pesto!) and a parmigiana featuring Santa Maria’s tip-top San Marzano tomato sauce. A delectable mish-mash of trad Brit booze and sun-soaked Italiana, then. Saluti to that!
Can’t face the schlep west but want a pizza the action? Try our list of London’s finest pizza joints.