Vespbar

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

Vespbar opened its doors in October of last year, and has created a happy little buzz for itself since. Perhaps aware that two-for-one pizzas are becoming almost as ubiquitous as burgers in the City Centre these days, owner Jim McLaughlin has instead adopted the unique approach of offering them by the metre, or half metre. It makes for a nice bit of theatre, sitting up on the mezzanine, gazing onto the bar and seeing the steady production line of gigantic oval, thin and crispy slabs whisked out the kitchen and onto the next hungry group of customers. Toppings can be mixed – two types on the half metre, four on the whole – so groups are well catered for. All the classics are available – ham and generous wedges of juicy pineapple, and a lovely and smoky Italian meatball variety stand out. Vespbar’s other niche is its prosecco on tap – a refreshing accompaniment and a pleasant touch of European café-culture – although there are nine wines by the glass and a good selection of beers (Sagres on tap, Blue Moon in bottles) if the bubbles go to your head.

• High point: It's all about the pizzas
• Low point: Tables are very close together