As you know dear reader, my little flock likes to try out different venues every now and then, and we have been meaning to try out Pizza Night at The Loaf in Crich for absolutely ages. We often get bread from there as they do a cracking range of different breads and accompaniments ( jams, pickles, relishes etc ), and we finally got our act together and booked a table for Pizza night -  held every Wednesday, with 2 sittings available : 6pm and 8pm. The Tribal Elders decided to come with us as well, so it was a proper family meal out like they do on the continent. When in Rome, as they say.... and ok we were in Crich, but I’m setting the scene here so a bit of poetic license is allowed surely?

Anyhow, I’m glad we did book a table as every single seat in the place was taken. So we sat and had a look at the menu, and honestly all of us said that there were at least 3 pizzas we could easily choose.

For starters we had Garlic Pizza bread and a Garlic Pizza Bread with Cheese to share between the 5 of us, and I nearly had the olives too but thought that would a bit greedy! The pizza breads were gorgeous - thin, very crispy, and very very tasty.

 

After much deliberation we made our choices: Chickadee had the vegetarian pizza, Man Bird had the Chorizo, My Daddy Bird had the Capricciosa, Mummy Bird had the Calzone and I plumped for the Fiorentina. When they arrived we all chirruped with excitement - they looked delicious. We all agreed that they were piping hot and the base was thin and crispy, just what you get in Italy apparently (The Elders went to Rome for one of their wedding anniversaries, and had Pizza there). The Calzone was chockablok full of meat and cheesy tastiness, and the Olives and Artichokes on Daddy Birds pizza were beautifully fresh and tasty, so he said between beakfuls. The Boy Wonder was pecking away at his Chorizo pizza so heartily that he just gave “2 wings up” when asked his opinion. Chick was equally positive about her pizza, and there was certainly plenty of topping to munch away at for her. My own Fiorentina pizza was without doubt the best pizza I have ever tasted - the base was thin, crispy, and not soggy at all and there was plenty of fresh Spinach in evidence on top. The Grand Pedano cheese could be tasted but wasn’t overpowering the other flavours, and the egg in the centre of the pizza was cooked to perfection (the white was thoroughly done, and the yolk was soft.

Now you might think that that was enough gourmet goings-on for one evening but no, The Loaf had a final trick up its sleeve – dessert. The Elders couldn’t eat another morsel so it fell to the younger flock members to maintain our gourmand reputation; which we did handsomely may I say. I had a slice of homemade Ginger and Orange Cheesecake, Chick wanted Vanilla Ice-cream ( 2 scoops) and The Main Man had the Hazelnut and Salted Caramel Tart, and oh my goodness gracious, great balls of fire I thought I’d died and gone to the Great Birdcage in the Sky – the desserts were so so good. The balance of the Ginger and Orange was perfection itself, as was the Salted Caramel and Hazelnut. I cannot tell you how tempted I was to ask for a portion to bring home to the nest to have for supper, only my social graces stopped me from revealing the extent of my gluttony!

 

You may be wondering why I haven’t mentioned drinks as I normally do, and that is because The Loaf do not have a license for alcohol, so we brought our own. They only charge 75p per person to consume alcohol on the premises, which I thought to be more than reasonable. A full range of juices and waters is on offer though, handy for younger flock members and those that are the designated driver for the night. And talking of younger flock members, if you have small children or babies there are high chairs at The Loaf available for you to use.

Prices are very reasonable with starters from £2.50 - about £4, pizzas £6.99 - just under a tenner and desserts round the £3.50 mark if memory serves correct. The staff are very well turned out, extremely helpful and pleasant and the premises have a lovely feel to them. This bird can definitely put her “wings up “for The Loaf and recommend you pay this venue a visit - but remember to book, it was jam packed when we went.

Find out more about The Loaf in Crich

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