Covent Garden is renowned for the magicians, musicians, mime artists, living statues, comedians and breakdancers that frequent the cobbles; it also has some pretty good shopping. So when I came into town for a birthday treat, I was quite glad to escape the hustle and head inside the impressive townhouse, No 3 Henrietta Street, for a bit of “me” time at Doughnation.
Doughnation can be found at the back of the house on the ground floor – the front room being Hawaiian street food El Ta’ko and upstairs swanky Pivot by Mark Greenway, but the corridor led to a cosy bistro-style eatery.
I arrived for a birthday ‘late lunch’ (read boozy!) and was welcomed with a winter warmer as I waited for my companion and perused the menu. Open for breakfast at 8 am (breakfast pizza, potato and bacon hash, or banana and chocolate hazelnut buns!) The menu continues all day until 11 pm, with a handy Happy Hour in the afternoon – offering drinks and slice deals – ideal if you need an energy boost mid-shop.
Food & Drink at Doughnation
Ordering some giant olives to keep me going before Jo arrived, we ordered more fizz when she did, and were moved to a corner and much more private table when it became available. The menu isn’t vast (boasting stalwarts – Margarita, pepperoni and three prawn) along with house specials – the intriguing-sounding potato pizza topped with fontina cheese and thyme salt! However, I’m a sucker for ‘shrooms and Jo loves an Italian sausage, so we decided to share the Spicy Ndu sausage, and Truffled Mushroom Ragout with mozzarella, hazelnuts – nuts on a pizza. Who would have thought it?
We also got a side of ripped burrata – as we all know, you can always judge an Italian on its cheese! The delicious waft of pizzas being wood-fired in the restaurant was a sign of things to come, as the giant orbs were delivered fairly quickly and both at the same time- the thin crust of stretched base glistening with melted cheese – and with the addition of a delicious crust dipper (we opted for basil pesto with confit garlic and grated pecorino) we almost scoffed the lot!
With a great cocktail menu too, this is the perfect place to catch up with friends and you can eat with a conscience too, as every slice of pizza sold by Doughnation guarantees a donation to causes close to the brand’s heart- with the aim to offer life-changing opportunities to people through supporting talent incubation hubs, development and women farm co-operatives and opportunity centres in Africa.
Doughnation
3 Henrietta Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 8PS
United Kingdom
