Most Italian cooking is based on the best dishes of grandmother (‘nonna’) but here at Zia Lucia it is all about auntie’s (zia in Italian). Pizzas with a twist are served here – charcoal, wholemeal or gluten-free bases as well as the traditional dough – but they still maintain that unmistakable taste of Italy with generous toppings of the spicy sausage nduja, anchovies or the back-to-basics marinara made with just passata and oregano marinara.

Living with an Italian who swears by Zia Lucia must be the ultimate seal of approval and thought to give this branch tucked away on a street behind Olympia a try and it did not disappoint. There are two other locations, one on the lively Holloway Road (the same people have recently opened a pasta restaurant next door) which does not take reservations for groups smaller than 8 people, so expect to join the queue which normally starts to form from around 6pm and at Wembley.

The beer selection isn’t too bad either; a nice change from the usual Peroni, with bottles available from the Islington-based Hammerton Brewery as well as an Italian gluten-free brew all ready to help you wash down the dough.