Tom Hedley goes the extra Yard.
Slap-bang in the centre of Shoreditch, there’s plenty to love about Yard. Its super-airy, warehouse-themed space will make for marvelous Christmas revelry, and the pizza-pasta menu caters for almost every appetite. Each table is candle-lit, and has its own ‘green zone’ – you won’t be bumping pizza cutters on a Friday night. If you’re lucky enough to grab a window spot, make sure you pack your people-watching peripherals. The passer-bys come in all shapes and sizes (it is Shoreditch, after all). There’s also seating out front for summer evenings, and a basement-bar downstairs.
Of course, as with all things East London, there’s a USP. Yard pizzas come in three sizes: a quarter, half and a full yard of pizza. That’s 36 inches or 91.4 centimetres of cheesy deliciousness at your disposal. It’s no small step, however. A whole yard will set you back about 40 quid, but it’s great if you’re dining with ambitious friends.
The menu is pretty fiery, which is ironic really, as the Yard itself is a converted fire station. I went for the Hot American (£9.95, spicy pepperoni, mozzarella and fresh red chillies). It came out quick, and a few dabs of chilli oil was added for full effect. While not a yard in length, it proved to be a furlong in taste. Disclaimer: picture may induce hunger.
The drinks are decent, but a tad over-priced. I think we all get a bit twitchy when we see a bottle of Peroni for £6.50. You can pick up a bottle of red for under £15, however.
INFO: www.yardrestaurants.co.uk, 140 Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 4SD.