Written in collaboration with TwoStomachs.com
What is the food like?
Heavenly pizza. Can’t go wrong when it is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The dough is made daily from scratch and the sauce is made with the best San Marzano tomatoes. The pizzas are perfectly cooked in a wood-fired oven, which gives them a unique smoky flavour that cannot be replicated in a conventional oven. With almost 30 varieties to choose from, there is one for everyone include options for vegan, vegetarian as well as those looking for a white base, hot chilli or truffle.
How is the drinks selection?
Practical. A simple menu of 11 great value-for-money cocktails including the mandatory spritz and negroni for £10 a pop. There are also 4 choices of Italian reds and 3 Italian whites merely referred to by the names of the grapes they are made from like Anglianico, Fiano, Primitivo or Montepulciano on the menu.
Limoncello, grappa, amaro, sambuca and jagermister are also on standby if you are after a more jovial evening.
What is the place like?
Friendly trattoria. San Gennaro is located just a 15-minute walk from dog-friendly Battersea Power Station. It is split over three mezzanine levels with the pizza oven in the kitchen at the back. The atmosphere is warm and inviting.
The walls are mostly red, and they are decorated with random black and white photos. The place if full of character, with its worn, scrapped ocean blue floor and its eclectic mix of furniture and decorations. It’s the kind of place where you can feel comfortable and relaxed, and where you’re sure to have a good time.
Who are the patrons?
Young Londoners. This pizzeria is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike who appreciate a fabulous pizza. It is the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely meal with friends or family.
How was the service?
Attentive and friendly. Although it was busy, we were seated and our order were taken promptly. It was easy to get their attention for additional requests and they are completed quickly.
Is it child friendly?
Children are welcome. There is no specific children menu, but pizza are perfect for sharing. Space for prams could be a touch tight. No dedicated baby changing area, but there is a children-height sink in the toilette.
Is it dog friendly?
Yes, one of the few restaurants in London where canine friends are more than welcome inside the restaurant.
Good value?
Yes. The restaurant charges a discretionary service charge of 12.5%.
San Gennaro
22 Battersea Park Road
Battersea
London SW11 4HY
United Kingdom
See below for what my dining companions and I indulged in for this review in May 2023 (prices quoted include VAT):
Wine
2019 Ducale Salice Salentino Riserva (Recommend)
An excellent red wine from the town of Salice Salentino in Puglia in the south of Italy. It is made from the Negroamaro grape variety. It has a rich and intense flavour profile, with notes of dark fruit like black cherry and raisins with vanilla, coffee, and spice. It is full-bodied, with firm tannins and a long, elegant finish. £29.90++
Mains
Burrata e Prosciutto (Strongly recommend)
Creamy burrata served with parma ham, some salad and a dash of olive oil. Generous amount of delicious parma ham, meaty and salty. £9.90++
Carciofina topped with Parma Ham (Strongly recommend)
A white base vegetarian pizza with mozzarella, artichokes, mushroom and a healthy drizzle of truffle oil. We topped it up with parma ham. The base was perfect – thin, smoky, light and fluffy. Gorgeous fragrant of truffle enhance the earthy mushroom and mouth-watering parma ham. £13.50++ and £3.50++ for extra topping of parma ham
Classica (Recommend)
A classic as the name suggests. Tomato based pizza topped with mozzarella, mushroom and ham. Not the best one out of the lot we ordered as the ham was a touch dry. £13.90++
Vegana (Strongly recommend)
A delicious pizza which happens to also be vegan. Light, fluffy, smoky, perfectly cooked pizza base topped with tomato sauce, peppers, aubergine, onion, capers, basil, garlic and olives. The salty briny capers with aubergine added depth to the flavours, a worthy replacement of anchovies. £13.50++
Desserts
Tiramisu (Strongly recommend)
Just how it should be - chilled, rich, creamy, and indulgent. Espresso soaked ladyfingers topped with creamy mascarpone filling layered with rich cocoa powder. £6++
Caramel cheesecake (Strongly recommend)
Another simple classic. Rich generous helping of caramel balanced beautifully with fluffy mascarpone cheese on top of a crunchy crushed biscuit base. £6++
Interior
