A cafe style shop front juxtaposed with dark wood-clad interior, Black Spot Pizza sets out its stall as a relaxed and informal destination for those who love the finer things in life. Or at least the finer things to come out of a pizza oven. Inspired by the old country, this Neapolitan-style establishment in Heaton Mersey has plenty of selling points. Not least the fact dough is allowed a full 48 hours to prove, many toppings are made in house, and the extensive, hand-picked selection of drinks to accompany the food are poured by a team with real mixology experience.
But before we come to refreshments, let’s focus on what’s most important. The menu at Black Spot Pizza is unsurprisingly dominated by the eponymous dish, and they come in many forms. Classics are present and correct, like the iconic Marinara of tomato, smoked garlic, oregano, fresh basil, and olive oil, and the Margherita, which follows a similar formula but adds cheese. However, there’s also an impressive choice of more unique creations vying for your attention, such as The Squash — roasted butternut squash, tomato, pine nuts, pesto, Parmesan and fior de latte — and The Lamb, which uses shredded lamb, fior de latte, tomato, mango chutney, raita and coriander for a thoroughly non-Italian take on things.
Small plates are available, too, including olives with garlic and roasted peppers, rocket and parmesan shavings with balsamic dressing, and roasted Mediterranean vegetables, burrata cheese, and the option of adding n’duja. Caprese Salad, Pizza Bread 2.0 (with rosemary, lemon, extra virgin olive oil, and barrel aged balsamic) and the generous Antipasti add to the options. All that aside, a predominantly Italian wine list has plenty of excellent bottles at attractive prices, three beer taps complement bottles and cans, and the establishment offers an extensive array of cocktails, including a number of bespoke Black Spot versions of timeless drinks. All the better for enjoying the late night happy hour from 9PM on Fridays and Saturdays.