Wharf Life Aug 14-28, 2019 wharf-life.com
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Canning Town - Royal Docks
£10
Typical price for a pizza, although Margheritas are available for £8.50
We stop by Heroica Lounge in Royal Docks on a sweltering
14 days later
day for some serious food
plan your life from Aug 28-Sept 11
including this piccante
where? RAD London Royal Albert Dock
top
what lies on
where? Outside The Crystal Royal Victoria Dock
DANCE | Guru Dudu Silent Disco Tours Dance-walk in the Royal Docks with a commentary from a grooving guide and uplifting tunes from the 1970s-2000s. Booking essential due to limited space. Sept 7, 14, 21, times vary, free, royaldocks.london
by Jon Massey
S
tretch out some dough, smear some bashed up tomatoes on top, add a little cheese and thrust into a blisteringly hot oven until ready. Slice and serve. For such a simple dish, pizza exerts an incredible pull on diners across the globe – apparently 13% of the USA’s population aged two or over consume a version of it on any given day. Its origin and, crucially, where to find the best, are hotly disputed topics. But for those in Royal Docks, help is at hand. They need look no further than Heroica Lounge – a converted bus parked on the edge of Royal Victoria Dock. With a brightly painted chameleon now adorning its pillar box-red exterior, a pergola protecting its open top deck from the elements and a picket fence marking out its area of service on the quayside, it’s an inviting site. My companions and I visit on
Heroica’s truffle pizza
GIG | EFG London Jazz Festival ABP London’s scheme will play host to the first outdoor event in the festival’s history. Expect sets from Kinetika Boco and Urban Flames. Nice. Aug 31, noon-7.30pm, free, royaldocks.london
where? RA Fold Canning Town
GIG | HTRK The Australian band hit the UK off the back of their latest album, set for release in August. Support comes from Ossia, Anika and Trevor Jackson. Sept 6, 9pm, from £15, residentadvisor.net Heroica Lounge is based on a disused bus at Royal Victoria Dock the hottest day since records began, taking refuge beside one of its chunky wheels. With no tap water available (a shock with temperatures the way they are) we’re forced to rely on other refreshment, which arrives swiftly. I order a well-priced piccante to eat for £10 and am a little surprised when the waitress attempts persistently to upsell me an nduja instead for a quid more. Perhaps it’s the heat. Having stuck with my desire, a wide silver plate arrives complete with doughy crust and a sizzling display of spicy salami, chilli flakes, mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil. The heat’s getting to everyone. Behind me a couple launch into a lengthy, sweary discourse on their relationship and its many faults. But I don’t care. My world is
all spice, heat and the delightful goo of the topping. And my companions are no worse off. Saltimbocca (also £10) is a fresh hit of cherry toms, rocket and Parmesan presented as a sort of sandwich. Just across the table, however, sits arguably the highlight of our visit. A white pizza (£12) with truffle sauce, Parmesan, Italian sausage, mushrooms and olive oil, it proves a rich, luxurious dish. As we left for a swift half of local craft beer from Husk Brewery at the excellent Oiler Bar round the corner of the water, the couple were just ordering a second round of drinks and agreeing they actually liked each other quite a lot. What other than good pizza could have such an effect? Go to heroicalounge.com
coming up
For those who like their dates planned well in advance, block out October 10-13 for New Scientist Live at Excel. Expect activities for all ages, a stunning line-up of speakers and Friday Night Lates. Prices vary live.newscientist.com
spot check worth a visit Visit Yi Ban at the London Regatta Centre in Royal Albert Dock for Chinese yi-ban.co.uk want more? @wharflifelive