Has anyone eaten at any of the Leon restaurants in London? I'm keen to try them as I like the sound of "the great-tasting, healthy fast food" they have to offer, but thanks to a birthday present - their latest book, Leon: Baking & Puddings
Bypassing the cakes for once, I went straight to the pizza recipe. Now pizza is something I've made almost weekly for years and years, but the Leon recipe is a change from my usual one. Henry Dimbleby* makes his dough with 00 flour, whereas I've always used strong plain, and he gives it a longer rising and proving including several episodes of knocking back and kneading at thirty minute intervals.
I must say that the result was quite a chewy crust with a lot of character to it, so that was a success. Then we get to the toppings, and here Henry gives several suggestions, but the one pictured in the book - currently his favourite - is the one I tried: very thinly sliced potatoes, rosemary and mascarpone. This is rich but wonderfully delicious, and it was without doubt the very best pizza I've had for a long time.
*Son of Josceline.
Ummmmmm! I will have to say that potatoes and mascarpone are the last things I would ever think of as pizza toppings. What are the usual toppings for you and your family?
Posted by: Nancy | 19 September 2011 at 12:57 AM
"I'm keen to try them ..."
Please do and I invite you to one as my guest. How about the branch in Spitalfields? We could visit FGM too ;-)
Posted by: Dark Puss | 19 September 2011 at 08:04 AM
I've had lunch in one - I think it was behind Liberty. Very good, very busy though. I'd advise an early or late lunch. Can't recall what I ate unfortunately.
Posted by: Claire | 19 September 2011 at 08:21 AM
There's one behind Tate Modern and the salads and meatballs are good for a cheap lunch.
Posted by: m | 19 September 2011 at 10:03 AM
Leon only have proper food made with real ingredients, and it's all very delicious, affordable, good. I never eat anywhere else when on the move in London - I believe they do dinner in some of their branches. The books are good, too, although I haven't seen the latest one. I always like a good pizza bianca, potatoes or no - this one sounds good
Joanna
Posted by: Joanna | 19 September 2011 at 11:36 AM
Glad to hear the restaurants live up to their billing! I'm tempted by their second book, too.
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 September 2011 at 12:00 PM
Until this one, I've never made it without a tomato sauce, and then we'd usually add mozzarella, basil and pancetta or salami, sometimes olives.
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 September 2011 at 12:03 PM
Thankyou for the kind invitation!
Posted by: Cornflower | 24 September 2011 at 12:03 PM
My pleasure, but will you take me up on it?
Posted by: Dark Puss | 24 September 2011 at 12:14 PM