Get Happy at Happy Face Pizza, Kings Cross
Happy Face pizzeria in the new Kings Cross Estate opened quietly late in November. With no menu, or even address, on the website, it was with some trepidation that we approached the Everyman building which also homes this latest addition to the bustling station area’s growing number of food joints.
As we descended the stairs into the open room, featuring a huge bar as its centrepiece, we were greeted with a smile and offered a space at either a communal high table or a more private lower one. We opted for the latter and were seated before being given a quick explanation of the menu. Georgia served us and she was welcoming and friendlythen gave us space to relax and decide. Throughout our meal she checked we were happy without intruding on our chat at any point.
The menu is short, but not limiting and there’s plenty to choose from if you like pizza and Italian-style fast food. Starters include calamari or zucchine fritti, a creamy burrantini served with juicy cherry tomatoes, bruschetta, focaccia, and a bowl of olives. There are seven pizzas including four veggie ones (vegan options available too) as well as three laden with ham, prosciutto or pepperoni. You also have the option to add any ingredient you want to any of your choices, making it a much wider offering than first impressions suggest.
We shared the burratini and a bowl of (very thin) zucchini fries then chose the funghi and parmigiana pizzas, again to share.
Tucked away beneath Happy Face is SUPERMAX, a new Vermouth-led cocktail bar with a late-night license, and a selection of their Vermouth-led cocktails feature on the main menu. We enjoyed a Vermouth-twist on the Aperol Spritz and a lemon sorbet cocktail which mixes Vermouth with Prosecco. Both hit the spot straight away.
Our starters arrived quickly – within five minutes of ordering, and our pizzas arrived shortly after – way before we had finished either our first drinks or starters. While this is great for the commuters of Kings Cross looking for a quick bite between trains, we felt service of the mains could have been delayed slightly to allow us to enjoy the atmosphere, and our starters, before ploughing into the next course. Pizza isn’t tapas, I like to take my time and have a little breather before facing the main event.
That said, the pizzas were incredible. I’m not a dough girl, but this isn’t a stodgy surrounding. The pizzas are made made using a 72-hour dough ferment, meaning a lighter, fluffier and easier-to-digest crust. So while the size of the dishes, and speed with which they’re delivered, may seem daunting, you’re not left feeling bloated, and luckily there was just enough room left for us to enjoy a lemon sorbet dessert each.
Happy Face is a welcome addition to the ever-evolving Kings Cross area. Service is smiley and speedy, prices are extremely reasonable for the quality and location – you can grab a lunchtime slice for a fiver, or enjoy two courses for well under £20 a person. The Vermouth twists on classic cocktails give a unique and flavourful spin for those in search of something a bit different.
- Happy Face is at 14 Handyside Street, Kings Cross, N1C 4DN. Menus are now posted on the website, click here for more information and to book.
