Piada bar on Soho's Bateman Street in London serves authentic Milanese food and offers a welcome alternative to those standard pizza or pasta options we're all familiar with.
So just what exactly is Piada? Well, it's nothing to do with feet or children - rather, hailing from Italy's Romagna region, Piada are thin handmade flat breads cooked on the grill to a secret family recipe. This is authentic and affordable Northern Italian street food.
Each Romagne family has a secret recipe passed on from generation to generation - and Piada bar pride themselves on having one of the very best such recipes.
We would describe Piada as the missing link between a quesadilla, pita bread and a wrap - thicker than a crepe and not a pancake, but thinner than pizza bread. It's probably easier to just try one!
There's something for everyone here - just pick a Moon shaped Canvas of Piada and your choice will be freshly cooked on the grill. You can select a traditional Piada which is not vegetarian, or a vegan option made with olive oil. Fillings include beef, authentic Italian Coppa ham, Parma ham, Branzi alpine cheese, mozzarella, smoked salmon and a wide range of salads.
Piada bar also offers sealed Piadas to enjoy making at home.
In some respects one might say - it's just bread. But, there's more to bread than meets the eye - let's face it - nobody wants bread in their eye! This is something novel, tasty and feels a somewhat healthier option than a pizza.
Alongside traditional Italian pastries and desserts on offer - such as Baci di Dama, pistachio and lemon cannoli - Piada bar also serves sweet versions of Piada, including options with Nutella, crushed almonds, cornflakes and granolla ~
a perfect grab for your 7.30am starts!
Our view is this is an excellent option for Soho's media types to support a new independent local eatery and to snatch a lunch bite. On Friday and Saturday nights Piada bar stays open until 1 a.m. and during the week they're happy to deliver locally for meetings and parties.
"A Soho quickie" may just have taken on a whole new meaning!
PIADA BAR
SOHO LONDON
3-5 BATEMAN STREET W1D 4AG
MAP