ECCO PIZZERIA, LEEDS | QUEENBEADY

I’m an outright “pizza snob” and so is my husband. We have the most amazing pizza takeaway near us that whenever we go out we don’t even read the pizza section. That is until we were invited to Ecco Pizzeria, Leeds. We were so ready to try out their lip smackinginly, latest menu at their newest branch in Roundhay. It’s not that we don’t like pizza (hell, who doesn’t like pizza?) it’s just we have always found ourselves a little disappointed when we have chosen a pizza dish on many of our date nights. However, it was all about to change from hereon in. Praise the lord for Ecco!

The entrance is pretty unassuming, wedged between a Dominoes & Pizza Express. Heck, I think Roundhay must like pizza? But when you are amongst the competition, you gotta be good. It was clear to see that Ecco Pizzeria was already fast filling up at half 5, the night had only just begun. The restaurant has these gorgeous bi-folding doors that open up on to the deck which they opened up as soon as they were full inside. We had a great spot near the window, perfect for my people watching duties. The place was decked out in pale wood slats and white washed walls with slightly misplaced artwork. It was a really cool vibe, but there were all sorts of people enjoying their food, families, couples, even the cutest little party for 5 young teens who were obsessing with snapchat (adorbs!) so I offered to take a couple of photos for them. I’m kind, you see!

The staff were so lovely when we arrived, after a slight mix up we had gone to the Headingley branch (oops!) so were a little bit late for our table. We were handed the coolest of menu’s (they were chopping boards guys, chopping boards!) to choose what drinks we wanted. I went for a Mango Mule which mixed mango and lime juice with ginger beer (spoiler alert: to die for!) and Mr C went for a freshly squeezed OJ (there isn’t an alcoholic menu here guys) after he tried mine he decided that his next drink was going to be a Mango Mule too as it was so refreshing! The perfect kinda drink to be sipping in the early evening sun.

The staff were kind enough to let me come up and watch them make the pizza’s which was super cool. I’ve decided that one day, when I’m rich (pah, that won’t ever happen) I’m going to get myself a pizza wood oven for the garden because my goodness, they make the nicest of pizza’s. We were told by our waiter that they did “half a metre pizza’s” – you can imagine my eyes nearly burst out of their sockets in anticipation. We decided to go half & half, James with the Mexican City which had fajita chicken (his fave dish aside from pizza) with jalepenos (nom) and avocado sauce. It was deeeeeeeeeelicous. I went for a traditional Carne with chicken, ham & pepperoni which was so unbelievably tasty. The dough was thin and the middle slightly sloppy with crisp crusts. That’s exactly how the Italians do it, so who are we to argue with this?

After demolishing our half a metre pizza (you won’t regret it) we were fit to burst and pretty much ready to be rolled out of Ecco, but there is always that niggling feeling in the back of your head saying “try the deserts, eat something sweet!” so when we were handed the desert menu, I of course had to have a look. Let me break it down to you hunniez, THIS IS THE BEST DESERT MENU I HAVE EVER LAID MY EYES ON. Yes, caps lock. Scroll down here to page 6/7 and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I chose the Brownie Chocolate Cup which came out and was possibly the most instagrammable desert I’d ever seen. James went for the Brownie Duo, which ended up being a Brownie Triple and he said the peanut butter ice cream that came with it was out of this world. So, after even more devouring of food this time we were ready to call it a day but another waiter was adamant we try the espresso!

James is a massive coffee fan; black, no sugar. That’s if the coffee is right though. I took a sip and it was very bitter, but that’s because I take mine with milk and sugar. But Mr C lapped it up! It could have come with a glass of water though because that stuff is like tar. Suitably stuffed, we said our thanks to the team. They were so welcoming and made the experience all the more fun! I love that about places when you go out, it reminds me of being on holiday when the waiters are nice & cheery.