Sourdough pizza pioneers, Franco Manca have finally opened their first outlet in Scotland in the heart of Edinburgh at the new The Mint Building just off St Andrew Square, and from the moment it opened it has been packed out. Hidden Edinburgh was kindly asked along last week to try out the menu and here is what we thought!
Concept
I must admit I had never heard of Franco Manca until a couple of weeks ago, but the brand is a firm favourite in London with numerous outlets across the capital.
A bit of background to Franco Manca; it all started back in Brixton Market in the 1980’s by a guy called Franco, by 2008 he wanted to retire and his friend Giuseppe Mascoli and Bridget took over the restaurant and called it calling it Franco Manca, (Italian for “Franco is missing”) in homage to Franco’s hard work.
Giuseppe and Bridget set about reshaping the pizzeria (building a special oven) and the pizzas themselves (slow-rising sourdough) and creating a simple menu with quality ingredients. Giuseppe, originally from Positano, was strongly influenced by Neapolitan cuisine in his experimental pizzeria efforts.
Neither of them had ever run a restaurant before but somehow it was a hit. People started to make pizza pilgrimages to Brixton’s covered market and with regular queues round the market, they soon opened another in Chiswick.
Today London has numerous restaurants and there are Franco Manca’s opening up across the UK and the secret to their success is the slow-rising sourdough, used in their pizza bases.
The slow-rising sourdough, unique to Franco Manca, dates back to the late 18th century. First procured by the pizzeria’s founder, Giuseppe Mascoli, near the city of Naples, the recipe still honours the ingredients and methods that make the age-old style of Neapolitan pizza unique, delicious and world renowned.
Location
In terms of location it couldn’t be more conveniently located with its home in the new Mint Building next to the Edinburgh Grand diners are just minutes walk to Princes Street and Waverley Station and the tram stop is across the road from the restaurant entrance.
Service
Service is relaxed but efficient, when we went it was jam-packed but the staff were taking things calmly in their stride. We were seated quickly and our waitress was super friendly, even getting me extra hot sauce, more on that later…….
The Food
I love an uncomplicated menu and Franco Manca has perfected the art of stream-lining. To start there are a range of sharing plates, it all sounded delicious, but we were given some recommendations from our waitress, and opted for the Buratta Cheese and the Aubergine.
For mains it is all about pizza, and there are just seven to choose from which has always been the way Franco Manca has laid out their pizza menu, keeping it simple.
Not only is the pizza amazing and I mean amazing, it is also great value, where else in Edinburgh can you get a pizza for £5 and a Margherita for £6.75! I opted for number 5 and swapped out the anchovies for mushrooms. So don’t worry you can swap toppings at no extra cost.
If pizza isn’t your thing they have a few other mains to choose from, but really you need to come for the pizza!
Wine, like the pizza selection is small and easy to navigate, there are three red and three white and a rose, easy peazy! I asked for a white recommendation and was told the Cortese Carlindepaolo hit the spot, so that’s what we went for.
Back to the starters we went for Buratta, which is one of my all time favourite cheese, like a mozzarella ball, but super creamy and glossy that you can almost dip a spoon into when you cut it open. It is served on sourdough bread, rocket and fresh tomato and a good glug of olive oil.
We also tried the Aubergine Parmigiana which is another cheese feast. Grilled aubergine, with the most delicious hints of garlic are layered with cheese and grilled and served piping hot.
For the mains I opted for pizza number 5 which is a tomato base, with slices of garlic, oregano, caper, olives, I swapped the anchovies for mushrooms and it’s all topped with slices of mozzarella. Now the pizza really is incredible, it has all the right textures, crispness but at the same time chewiness on the base, a sweet tomato sauce and enough toppings that there is lots of flavour going on but the pizza isn’t drowning in it.
Hot Sauce
Whenever I go to a pizza outlet, the first thing I ask when the pizza arrives is “do you have chilli flakes and what hot sauces do you have?” Some of the time I get chiili flakes if I am lucky or some chilli flavoured oil. Franco Manca takes things to the next level with their own fresh hot sauce. This stuff is incredible, you can tell it is fresh, it is super hot so not for the faint hearted, it was so good I even asked for a pot to take home, which I dipped my toast into in the morning!
Final Thoughts
I went into Franco Manca not knowing too much about the brand and came out a converted fan. I genuinely think this has to be one of the best pizza outlets in Edinburgh, the price point is spot on and the food has so much flavour I guarantee when you leave you will be organising your next trip back there.
My only one word or warning is book in advance to guarantee a table as I am not the only person who thinks Franco Manca is amazing too!
Address: Unit E2, The Mint Building, 19-23 S St Andrew St, Edinburgh EH2 2AU
Web: www.francomanca.co.uk
