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Independent pizzeria, Zia Lucia, is excited to announce it will be opening its 4th permanent site in Aldgate East in February 2020. Following on from the launch of the first Zia Lucia in Islington in 2016, Kensington in 2018 and Boxpark Wembley in 2019, founders Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D’Angelo are bringing their latest authentic Italian neighbourhood pizzeria to the heart of East London.

At the forefront of London’s pizza renaissance, Zia Lucia’s first independent pizzeria on Holloway Road brought unusual doughs, delectable toppings and Italian community flair to North London and has been a huge hit with locals and visitors ever since. Since its humble inception, Zia Lucia has become renowned for its impressive selection of 48-hour slow-fermented doughs, including traditional white flour, wholemeal, gluten free and vegetable charcoal black base. The four types of dough can now be enjoyed also by people working, living and going out in the City of London, Shoreditch and the Docks.

Aptly located in a piazza, a five-minute walk from Aldgate East tube, the new site will have the Italian charm of all the other restaurants combined. The materials used will reflect the style of the kitchen and dining room of the real aunty Lucia, recreating a cozy and warm feeling. Featuring wrap-around windows, timber flooring and a rustic wooden pizza bar as well as tiles ranging from dark jewel blue on the bar counter to pale pink on the back wall, the space will be dominated by a huge hand-crafted pizza oven coming all the way from Naples: tiled in white and blue hoops. With an open kitchen, customers will be able to sit at the counter and enjoy the pizza making craft whilst eating.

With a seated capacity of 60, including outdoor seats in the magnificent piazza, the Aldgate East site will be sure to attract local residents and passers-by by sharing the ingredients and values of its first restaurant, from its unique doughs through to its community ethos, and will bring genuine Italian pizza to the East London locals.

Zia Lucia is run by a team of passionate Italians: founders and friends, Claudio and Gianluca were keen to share their enthusiasm for the finest Italian produce creating an iconic dish done well.

Claudio describes the decision to bring Zia Lucia to Aldgate East: “We were thrilled when we found this site: it sits in a gorgeous piazza where customers will be able to eat outside overlooking statues, water flowing, a cinema…it reminded us straight away of our roots and we thought it would match perfectly with our community style dining and moderately priced, delicious traditional food. What we love about our restaurants is the vibe and the atmosphere created by all of our clients: friends, family, business gatherings…Zia is for all!”

Gianluca adds: “Genuine pizza, homemade salads and desserts, paired with locally sourced wines, craft beers and Italian style cocktails and coffees, served in a friendly and relaxed environment i what we are all about! We are constantly overwhelmed by the passion our customers show towards our four pizza doughs: watch out for a new pizza dough, which has been developed for the new opening…”

To celebrate the exciting new opening, Zia Lucia will bring a new type of pizza dough, developed ad hoc for Aldgate East.

Zia Lucia, translates as ‘Auntie Lucia’ and the restaurant is inspired and named after Gianluca’s very own aunt. A fantastic cook and generous host, Lucia is both the inspiration behind the brand and an investor in the restaurants. Entirely friend and family-funded, Zia Lucia’s shareholders are personally involved in the success of the restaurants.

Maintaining its ethos of great value genuine Italian food, all pizzas at Zia Lucia Aldgate East will be priced from £7-£12 and will feature fresh, classic Italian toppings, signature Arianna and Andrea Pirlo pizzas, and will be available on all four types of dough. Toppings range from irresistible Italian favourites such as fiery nduja, spicy spianata salami, truffle honey, burrata, rich gorgonzola and vegan butternut squash cream. The menu will also feature seasonal specials.

Alongside the pizzas, will be a selection of Italian-style starters, plates, salads and desserts. The drinks menu focuses on Italian style cocktails including Spritz and their winning Negroni, bottled beers both from Italy and locally brewed in London, as well as wine and prosecco sourced from small Italian producers back home…