Secret Diner Review: Peter, Loughborough

Published on July 25, 2014

By Sophie Patel

“The ‘Italian’ pizza you think you know is more often than not a product of the great American pizza renaissance of the 1990s, which in our humble opinion injured the name of the Neapolitan pizza. So we are here to cure it.” So says the menu in Peter And That’s Enough Pizzeria in Loughborough.

And cured it they have – for me at least. Some would describe me a pizza snob but now Peter is the only pizzeria bleeping on my radar. So much so, that I happily travel an hour to Peter’s to wolf down an entire pizza, in a personal best of 18 minutes. It is bold to say, this is by far the best pizza I have ever had the pleasure to digest (including that mini break in Rome).

Modestly nestled on the busy Loughborough high street, passers-by are welcomed with a feast for the eyes as well as a feast for the stomach. Think buttersoft, distressed brown leather armchairs, walls adorned with classic movie posters, decoupage, draped hanging rope lights, a Ninja Turtles mural and the large communal table that is actually a pallet, covered in turf, scattered with army figurines and robots, prettily framed with industrial chairs. It’s definitely edgier and cooler than the delicate tea rooms popular of late.

With Sourdough the pizza du jour, I ordered the Sourdough with tomato, ricotta fresco cheese, salami, mozzarella, pistachio and truffle oil. High quality fresh and local ingredients coupled with artisan techniques is the recipe of success. The portions are generous and there’s the right amount of char and texture to the base, with a winning tomato to cheese ratio. It excels against the American-style-heart-attack-soggybase-cheesefest, instead favouring a lighter and more effortless authentic Neapolitan experience, rich in flavours and aroma.

Desserts come flaunted in Kilner jars and leave you scrambling for the last bite (note to self: do not share puddings), and the coffees polish off the feast and leave you grinning from ear to ear.

This is a rare gem in our East Midlands area, popular with all ages and I imagine will be bustling with activity for years to come. I’m yet to try the Italian film night at Peter’s and the Breakfast Menu, but almost certainly will be crossing that off my restaurant bucket list in the very near future.

If that’s not enough to whet your appetite, I have two words for you: Nutella Pizza.

I imagine Peter’s is the modern day equivalent of dining like the Queen Margherita of Savoy… Probably.
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Peter’s Pizzeria is recommended by Great Food Club and runs an exclusive offer to members.