The family-run pizza joint Gracey’s is to open its first permanent London restaurant this month after finding a space at Arcade on Tottenham Court Road.
Though part of the food hall and not standalone, the launch marks a solid step from the St Albans pizzeria, which has long been drawing crowds to Hertfordshire thanks to its superb New York-inspired pies.
Gracey’s, together with the likes of Crisp W6, Vincenzo’s and Paulie’s, has been one of the foremost proponents of new pizza in and around London as the capital’s scene evolves and expands.
Founders James and Grace Surman started serving pizzas outside during lockdown — a common story — but soon found a permanent space in St Albans before short- and long-term residencies at Battersea Power Station and Terry’s cafe in Bermondsey.
Gracey’s is to join Arcade as a permanent 40-cover restaurant, with traditional(ish) pies topped with the likes of pepperoni, spicy fennel sausage, sweet peppers and parmesan. Alongside East Coast classics, the joint will also serve grandma-style square pizzas — much thicker, spongier base — and desserts like the blood orange negroni cake.
As for drinks, there'll be cocktails such as Gracey's sour, biscotti milk punk, cherry americanos and plenty of beers and wines.
James and Grace said: “We’ve been perfecting our slices ever since we popped up with ArcadeX this summer at Battersea Power Station. Countless hours have gone into getting the dough just right and nailing those topping ratios.
“We’ve even woven a little slice of our original St Albans shop into the interior design, so the space feels like home from the moment you walk in. It's an exciting leap from St Albans, opening a restaurant at the iconic Centre Point at Tottenham Court Road marks a truly massive milestone for us.”
Gracey’s at Arcade Tottenham Court Road will open on November 7, 103-105 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DB, graceyspizza.com
