The Pizza Project on SoHo’s Peel Street.
It’s a happy parent who walks away from Sunday lunch with every child declaring the event to have been “awesome”.
And that’s just what happened when we donned masks, washed our hands and headed into Hong Kong’s SoHo district for brunch at The Pizza Project.
The Peel Street restaurant is a relative newcomer on the Hong Kong scene, following its opening earlier this year.
The casual eatery was launched by Hong Kong’s Pirata Group, a well-known hospitality group founded in 2013 by passionate foodies, Manuel Palacio and Christian Talpo. The group already boasts venues including The Optimist, Tokyo Lima, Pici (HK), Meats, Chaiwala, Hugger Mugger and The Loft, not to mention its debut space, Pirata.
The marketing blurb for The Pizza Project mentions pizza “bringing us back to our childhood”, and with four kids in tow, we were looking forward to creating a few more fun, pizza-based memories.
We arrived late – three teens lying-in on a Sunday will do that to you – and despite it being after 2pm, the restaurant was full. Although these days this has a lot to do with venues having to conform to government ‘distancing’ regulations which has resulted in reduced seating, sometimes by as much as half.
Thankfully, the The Pizza Project had thoughtfully provided cushions on the ‘ladder’ street steps outside and the waitstaff offered us drinks in the sunshine until tables became available. Due to the distancing regulations, we needed two tables and we ended up being seated at opposite ends of the restaurant. However, it worked well, with the teens bagging the first table, leaving myself and my husband to share with our excited son. Such is life dining in the time of coronavirus.
Temperatures checked and hands re-sanitised, we sat down to order. The Brunch Menu is offered on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays and is designed for sharing. We were asked to select one starter from a choice of four, two pizzas and two desserts. The Burrata being sold out, we opted for Project Salad, followed by Pesto, Carbonara, Parma and Nduja Spicy Salami toppings on our shared pizzas, and Pici tiramisu and pizza e Nutella to finish.
The starter was disappointing – nothing more exciting than a few dressed salad leaves and a couple of cherry tomatoes – but fortunately the pizzas more than made up for it.
The ‘long’ shaped pizzas come loaded with three or four toppings, depending on how many people are sharing. Ours was divided into Nduja Spicy Salami, Parma and Pesto and I would happily order every single one again. The homemade crust was perfect and the ingredients were fresh and tasty. Having enjoyed some of the best Italy has to offer on holiday in Europe last summer, we were impressed by The Pizza Project.
The desserts were equally yummy, although the tiramisu won overall for us.
The bright, casual space had a fun vibe, with an open pizza kitchen and plenty of colourful artwork on the walls. The service was efficient and timely – important when you’re feeding kids – and we left having really enjoyed our Sunday family lunch date.
We’ll definitely be back, and hopefully by then we’ll be able to sit together, too.
Where: The Pizza Project, G/F 26 Peel Street, Central.
When: Monday to Sunday, lunch/brunch, 12-2pm, dinner, 6-10pm.
Contact: +852 2311 1815 (walk-ins only, no reservations).