A selection of Pizzas laid out on the table at Pizza Pilgrims.

PIZZA PILGRIMS LAUNCHES ON NOTTINGHAM CARLTON ST

MARCH 2023 – On 17th April, Pizza Pilgrims will be opening their latest pizzeria in the centre of Nottingham. Authentic, slow-proved Neapolitan pizzas, made with Italy’s finest ingredients, will be the order of the day, carrying on the tradition of founders (and brothers) James and Thom Elliot, who set up the brand after a “pizza pilgrimage” to Italy in 2011, where they travelled across the country in a Piaggio Ape van, sampling local pizzas and produce.

Finding its creative heart in Nottingham

Fittingly located on Carlton Street, Hockley, in the heart of Nottingham’s creative district, the pizzeria will be housed in a unique building, once home to the city’s oldest jewellery shop.

The venue’s statement features include a giant Piaggio Ape-shaped disco ball and a ‘Disco Toilet’ (push the ‘secret’ disco button when you visit to find out more!) as well as a ‘Dramattic’ Rave Cave, filled with costumes and featuring a screen for karaoke and FIFA. The latter can cater for up to 20 diners at a central, long dining table for both private dining and group events. In total, the new pizzeria can accommodate 80 covers, with 66 inside and an outside area of 14.

The eclectic dining space, situated over three floors, also sports polychromatic 1970s wallpaper, 1950s light fittings and a ceiling decorated like an Amalfi lemon-grove, harking back to the golden age of Naples, while posters and artworks collected by the founders on trips to Italy, will transport diners to Naples’ trademark pizzerias and discotheques. The interior design has been led by James Elliot.

James Elliot says

“We’re so excited to be firing up our ovens and bringing our puffy-crusted Neapolitan pizzas to Nottingham! It’s such a vibrant city with an amazing music scene so we have designed a pizzeria to match. Inspired by the 1970s Italian Glam scene we’ve got Disco Toilets, a giant Tuk-Tuk mirror ball, groooovy wallpaper, and an Amalfi lemon grove-themed fancy dress event space… coming for pizza should be special and we fully intend on making this the funnest pizzeria possible!”

Truly Neapolitan pizzas, made for Nottingham

Brothers James and Thom Elliot famously made a pilgrimage around Italy in a Piaggio Ape van, discovering Italy’s finest pizzerias and produce along the way. Pizza Pilgrims is built on the foundation of the pilgrimage and follows the simple Italian belief that the best ingredients are essential to make the best pizza.

For this reason, many key ingredients are imported from Italy – from the best ’00’ flour Naples has to offer from the famous Caputo mill in the city centre, to their tomato sauce using only Italian tomatoes, and their mozzarella which comes from just outside Naples. Pizza Pilgrims also work closely with Harvest London, the sustainability focused hydroponic vertical farming supplier who work closely with the team to grow fresh Basil for every pizzeria, reducing wastage dramatically.

The menu features classics like the Margherita – Mozzarella fior di latte, tomato, basil & olive oil and Salsiccia e Friarielli – Roasted Italian sausage and wild broccoletti on an olive oil base with smoked mozzarella & fresh chilli, but also includes pizzas with a twist such as their Double Pepperoni & Spicy Honey, Mushroom & Truffle or 8-cheese (because 4-cheese just isn’t enough…). Monthly guest pizzas also feature on the menu. The drinks menu also features Italian wines and beer supplies by Milton Sandford Wines, including their ‘Snazzy White’ Locanda Trebbiano, and ‘Snazzy Red’ Nijiro Nero D’Avola Tola. Beers include Ichnusa Non-Filtrata, Beavertown Neckoil IPA and Lucky Saint.

Community service: get to know the Pizza Pilgrims’ team

Along with the 2,000-slice giveaway, there are plenty of ways Nottingham’s local community can get to know the team behind Pizza Pilgrims. Co-founder James Elliott will be arming local theatre students and artists with £100 to raid Nottingham’s charity shops to build Dramattic’s costume wardrobe.

Dramattic, the third floor Rave Cave, will be opened to local community and arts groups to use as a space where any amount of creativity goes, from intimate comedy gigs, society meet-ups, and team parties – where the karaoke screen and costume wardrobe will really come into play – along with enough space for up to 20 people to have fun, along with enjoying the full menu of pizzas.

Posted on 12 April 2023

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Jack Woolley