Homegrown Sourdough Pizzas

About Us

“Pizza as good as London has to offer” – Evening Standard

Opened in 1993, our family-run, multi award-winning pizzeria – named after Umberto Eco’s novel-turned-film ‘The Name of The Rose’ – has become an institution among locals and visitors alike.

But did you know that owner Sami Wasif was among the first to bring authentic sourdough pizzas to the UK, and still uses the same authentic recipe he first witnessed over half a century ago in his native Egypt?

To create these masterpieces, we combine no less than four different flour types to create naturally fermented dough. This living, breathing organism is then left to rise in two stages before being cooked at 400 degrees for around 90 seconds. The result? A full-flavoured, crispy base that is light and easy to eat.

The toppings are equally irresistible. All our pizzas are baked with organic tomato sauce, created from the finest Italian tomatoes chosen six months in advance, the creamiest fior di latte mozzarella, fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil.

Come along and enjoy our pizzas and other signature favourites from Monday through Sunday.

About Founder Sami Wasif

Sami Wasif was born in Beni Suef, Egypt, a farming town on the West Bank of the River Nile. Part of a large family, he was particularly close to his grandfather, Gerges, who, according to the Pharaonic farming calendar, was responsible for the blessing and distribution of sourdough to the local townspeople during the Spring Equinox.

After graduating from university in Sudan, Sami travelled throughout Europe and became obsessed with authentic Italian pizza.

In 1976 he moved to London and was singularly unimpressed by the pizza he found there. Drawing on what he had learnt from his grandfather, Sami then spent years perfecting his own secret sourdough recipe, accounting for changes in the moon, water and even the hands that make it. He brought all his skills to bear on his first business, the iconic Pizzeria Franco - the restaurant that inspired the famous Franco Manca chain - which he purchased from Franco himself in the 1980s.

Under Sami and his wife Laura, the restaurant was a huge success, so much so that when the opportunity arose to build a larger eatery in Clapham Common, the couple jumped at the chance.