The Perfect Pizza Picnic

‘I don't know why, but the meals we have on picnics always taste so much nicer than the ones we have indoors,' said George." - "Five Go Off in a Caravan", Enid Blyton.

As far as I'm concerned, this couldn't be more true (and the same applies to food you've stolen off someone else's plate) eating happier tastes better, and it's hard not to be happy when enjoying the great outdoors. National Picnic Week is approaching and we want to celebrate that with an excellent offer on at Oregano: for the rest of June, you can get any takeaway pizza for just £7.99. So that's the food sorted, but where can you go to eat it? Well I'm glad you asked, faceless blog reader, I'm glad you asked. We've come up with our top picnic spots in Islington (with a fabulous picnic helper for scale) so grab a mate, grab a blanket, and grab a pizza - Picnic perfect. 

1. Barnard Park

Our biggest picnic location, Barnard Park is a ten minute walk from Oregano and has the added bonuses of a football pitch, a water feature, a playground and - most importantly - public toilets!

2. Lonsdale Square

This teeny-weeny idyll is the centrepiece of some gorgeous Gothic Revival buildings, one of which used to be home to Salman Rushdie. #funfacts...

3. Gibson Square Gardens

Also adorable, Gibson Square comes with its very own mini mock classical temple. Fancy.

4. Islington Green

Right on Oregano's doorstep, Islington Green is just across the road. Small but charming, this green space is for the laziest of you picnickers.

5. Colebrook Row

Not the most obvious choice for a picnic perhaps, but Colebrook Row is perfect for a speedy al fresco lunch. Perch on a handy stone bench and stare covetously at the pretty houses. That's what we did.

6. Duncan Terrace

Just along the road from Colebrook Row is Duncan Terrace. Ideal for those of you who prefer to picnic on a bench. You could even make friends with this handsome fellow below...

7. Regent's Canal

6 minutes from Oregano is the Islington Canal Tunnel which will lead you to Regent's Canal. Grab a shady bench or go all urban and recline on the concrete and admire the play of the water. 

8. Wharf Road

Feeling a solitary picnic vibe? Well pick up a pizza then pootle along to Wharf Road. With any luck you'll catch the boat bookshop and you can sit, read, eat, and enjoy some peace and quiet even in the city.

So there you have it - you can't always rely on the British Weather but even a picnic in the rain can be fun with the right people. So go do it! Pick a spot and let us know which is your favourite. 

Sagre #5 - Expo Milano

Final post of Sagre month! Though this week what we’re looking at isn’t so much a food festival as a food exhibition. Since May 1^st, and until the end of October, Milan is being taken over by Expo Milano, the Universal Exhibition, and the theme is FOOD.

Well, technically the theme is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, but that takes longer to type. The exhibition will provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and solutions on the theme of food, and the opportunity to discover how the participating cultures grow and prepare food. It will examine both the traditional cultural values of food and how new technologies are and can be used in food production. Fascinating stuff!

The Universal Exhibition has long been famous for its ground-breaking exhibits. The first was held at Crystal Palace in London in 1851 and has been going ever since. Without it, Brussels might not have the Atomium or Paris the Eiffel Tower! The Exhibition is a stage to show off technological successes and gain insight into great inventions and discoveries across the world. This year over 120 countries are participating and the Expo is expected to welcome over 20 million visitors through its gates.

The site for the Exhibition is vast, and covers over 1.1km². There are four main themed areas: Pavillion Zero (which traces humankind’s historical relationship with food), the Future Food District (which explains how technology will change food storage, distribution, purchase, and consumption), the Biodiversity Park (full of ecosystems all over the world) and Arts & Foods (which explores the ever-changing relationship between art and food).

Many of the participating countries have their own pavilions where there are videos, installations, photo exhibitions, cooking demonstrations and tastings. (The UK pavilion is built to look like a gianthive and centres on bees and their importance in producing food.) The Italian pavilion lies right at the heart of the exhibition and promises to present all sides of Italian food culture – the places of production, culture, regions, landscape, and Italian hospitality. Definitely not one to miss.

So there you have it folks, it started here and it has made its way all around the world and stopped off in Italy. Much like me in reverse! Anyway, if you find yourself in Italy before the end of October, head to Milan and grab yourself a ticket for the Expo to learn all you ever needed to know about FOOD. 

Pizza Movie Night #4 - Foodie Films

We know it’s not been long since our last Pizza Movie Night suggestions, but we can’t help it, we do love a good night-in. This week we are giving you our top five for true foodies with films that will make you hungry – and then a pizza to remedy that!

The pizza we have gone for is our favourite – and we’re a pretty foodie bunch here at Pizzeria Oregano! – and we are fairly certain it will be a hit with you all too. We call it, the Oregano. Fresh tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, shaved parmesan, and basil. Simple and classic, it lets the high quality ingredients do the talking. Food doesn’t need to be all fancy-pants to be delicious. We’d suggest also customising this beauty and adding a handful of crunchy pine-nuts.

Now – on  with the films!

·         Babette’s Feast – 1987

o   “In a remote 19th Danish century village two sisters take in French refugee, Babette Hersant, who agrees to work as their servant. After winning the lottery, Babette wants to repay the sisters for their kindness and offers to cook a French meal for them” Likely to be up there in every food-lover’s top 5. This beautiful, touching film shows what the true power and purpose of food is: bringing people together. Such a classic that it has inspired countless restaurants to host their own feast and offer the menu from the film.

·         Big Night – 1996

o   “A failing Italian restaurant run by two brothers gambles on one special night to try to save the business”. A supreme heart-warmer, this lovely film is about family, food, and offers a non-mafia-central glimpse into the Italian American community. And it has Stanley Tucci in it, who is JUST GREAT. And, incidentally, a real food-lover, he has just released his second cookbook! 

·         Today’s Special – 2009

o   “In this super-feel-good foodie comedy, young Manhattan chef Samir rediscovers his heritage and his passion for life through the enchanting art of cooking Indian food.” This is our indie offering. And our Indian offering, actually. Adding a little edge to our listing, “Today’s Special” offers up some glimpses of everything which is good about Indian cooking. And the double-meaning of the title is pretty sweet too.

·         Julie & Julia – 2009

o   “Julia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.” A romp. A film filled with more wonderful food and human emotions than you could shake a stick at. Whatever that means. This film also has Stanley Tucci in it, and he is still amazing. Also – so much butter. It’s glorious.

·         Chef – 2014

o   “A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family”. This has everything in it that you might want from a decent family-friendly(ish) film. No particular unbelievable drama. The bit where it all goes wrong is near the start and the rest of the film plays like a wonderous homage to America’s highways and culinary offerings. Which, believe it or not, are considerable. Well worth a watch.

Some good news also – both “Chef” and “Big Night” are on Netflix, and you can rent Julie & Julia on iTunes. So you’ve no excuse! Get on it, order your pizza, crack open some wine, and enjoy food in all its forms. 

June Musings...

June eh? It has come and gone, and already we are rolling into July. Rolling along with thunder, rain and another lost summer.  It is a curious English trait I have developed much to my disappointment. End of may comes and the young people come out, the children play and people leave work happy. Well, that's the dream. Then the dream is dashed and we are left wet, miserable and feeling worse than after drinking my cousins home made spumante - less than ideal.

So, let us leave the hope of heatwaves and embrace what we do have. Good food and good drink and I like to think good company. Close out the rain and have a glass of pure sunshine sidro monato , forget the chilly air and warm up with Mediterranean spices. And if you still need something to bring a little, calore italiano in your life wash it away with some limencello- (the very thing for stripping away British summer blues).