Taking over the site previously occupied by Forza Win in Copeland Park in Peckham, the project is named after chef director Michael Davies and takes inspiration from Roman-style pizza chef Gabriele Bonci.
While sourdough pizza has been hugely popular in London for a long time, the group says it seemed strange that there isn't a 'London style' of pizza, which is what it intends to create at Mike’s.
‘Pizza was born in Naples, but over centuries it has evolved into countless brilliant recreations, all paying homage to an ideal of pizza which doesn’t really exist, but all made with the simple aim of being as delicious as possible,' it says. 'New York brought us its famous slice, Chicago the deep-dish, and across Italy there is a veritable cornucopia of different regional pizza styles.'
The menu at Mike’s will draw inspiration from Bonci and his Roman style pizza with the head chef from the Camberwell Arms creating a menu of small plates to run alongside the range of pizzas.
It will run an all-day operation seven days a week with brunch served on weekends. During the week it will offer coffee and pastries as well as lunch and dinner with a drinks list that will include classic cocktails, natural wines and local beers. Pizza will also be available for delivery and collection.
Mike’s will have an outdoor terrace that will seat up to 80 people which is hoped will open in time for the easing of lockdown on 12 April. Inside there will be a 40-cover dining room that will open once lockdown restrictions have been lifted.