Food Review: Francesco’s Pizzeria

Anytime a restaurant makes a mention of the word “gourmet”, it inevitably raises the expectation that its food is somehow artisanal in nature, or at the very least innovative. The latest joint to misuse the term is Francesco’s Pizzeria, a newly-opened take-away in Kemps Corner, where the menu offers “free home delivery of gourmet pizza”. There are 15 different kinds of pizzas to choose from (ten veg; five non-veg) in sizes that vary from the child-appropriate seven-inch to the adult-friendly 13-inch; plus the option to make your own pie; and three types of dessert. Unfortunately, despite a commendable attempt to diversify from the usual mix of toppings, Francesco’s Pizzeria could use a bit of time at the drawing board.

The margherita, with a garlicky tomato base and basil, was by far the best of their pizzas, which is not saying much because it was akin to the one from popular (and decidedly non-gourmet) chain Smokin’ Joe’s. The Genovese, with French beans, potato slivers and globs of pesto, was certainly unusual but not entirely successful; the French beans and potato crisps were weighed down by oil and seemed to contribute nothing by way of depth of flavour. The peri-peri chicken pizza, with green onions and spicy chunks of meat, suffered from the generous drizzling of an eggy lime and coriander mayo, while the breakfast all-day pizza, with wilted rocket (just one measly leaf per slice), an over-cooked sunny side-up egg and chicken sausage, was curiously entirely devoid of flavour.

Of the desserts, the tiramisu cupcake was a mushy espresso-drenched concoction which, like most tiramisus here, was egregiously made with whipped cream instead of mascarpone. The Gianduja loaf, a yeasty-smelling block of pav slathered with Nutella, and the Bomboloni alla cioccolato, a doughy bun filled with chocolate sauce and cinnamon sugar, could have both used a few more minutes in the oven. Francesco’s Pizzeria is not short on the right terminology—“heirloom tomatoes”, “thyme flavoured mushrooms” and “Lombardi peppers” make up the ingredients, but in going from page to pie, something went woefully wrong in translation.

Prices start at Rs125 for a seven-inch margherita pizza. Free home delivery offered from Haji Ali to Walkeshwar, and up to Worli and Marine Drive for bulk orders.

Francesco's Pizzeria

LocationShop No.5
Chinoy Mansion
Ground Floor
Warden Road
Kemps Corner

Phone6752 7000

HoursSaturday to Thursday, noon to midnight; Friday, 4pm to midnight