There’s pizza…and then there’s pizza, and the very same counts for the establishments where these popular delicacies are served. The boldly colourful Humble, a newly opened pizza parlour on iconic King’s Road in London, banks on being strikingly different, adding a contemporary and fun edge to the dining experience. Designed by Chieh Huang and Alexey Kostikov of local design practice Child Studio, the venue’s design is based on an extrapolation of the neighbourhood’s rep as a cradle of youth culture and elements of so-called Formica cafés which first popped up in the British capital in the 1950s. The modest establishments were run by Italian immigrants, and as their name already implies, they featured an interiors of laminate surfaces and pastel tones.
This was the beginning of the ‘cafe culture’ in London with King’s Road at the very epicentre, attracting musicians, photographers and other bohemians. Designed to stand out, the façade with timber mouldings is dipped in a pink hue, signalling from afar what’s to be found indoors. Not surprisingly, Humble is an oasis of Formica, featuring cherry wood-framed laminated pink panels as a backdrop for a service and display counter on one side, and a comfy seating area directly opposite, furnished with an elongated sofa, round tables and stools, for a total of 15 guests. Obviously, this isn’t your average pizza parlour, and what set’s Humble even more apart from ordinary establishments are the carefully sourced lighting pieces, in fitting mid-century style, by Euro designers Poul Henningsen, Jacques Biny and Luigi Massoni.
The open kitchen, situated at the back, is framed with similar laminate pink panels, and allows peeks of the dexterous staff. Mind you, it’s not only the setting that sets Humble apart, but also its menu. Entirely plant-based, it lists a selection of gourmet vegan pizzas which put a contemporary spin on old classics. There’s a pizza with a cauliflower base, truffle and mushroom, creamy saffron and asparagus, and as a take on the Diavola, it comes with meat-free pepperoni, and there’s also a classic Margherita using vegan mozzarella. Alongside the pizza, Humble serves tasty salads, including potato with a popcorn mayo, beetroot with puffed rice and a fruity tropical fennel. Seasonal soups use fresh ingredients for Spring Green and the restaurant’s very own take on Miso. As for drinks, there are soft drinks, coffee, the pink-coloured Humble Latte, and also tea-based lattes.
Humble
342 King’s Road (Chelsea)
London SW3 5UR
Telephone: +44 20 73515505
Daily 12-10
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