Franco Manca is Neapolitan pizzeria company founded in 2008 in Brixton Market London. Since then the business has expanded throughout the country with its latest opening in Oxford. Franco Manca is pioneering the classic Neapolitan sourdough pizza using local and seasonal ingredients. The brand believes for food to be truly enjoyed it needs to be made from authentic and delicious ingredients. Franco Manca aims to keep its business and food simple, authentic and of good value.
We were recently invited to attend an exclusive dinner and wine tasting at the Oxford branch. This was one invitation both my sister and I were not going to miss as pizza and wine tasting are our favourite past times.
Official opening of Franco Manca Oxford
Franco Manca Oxford was officially opened in August where as per Italian tradition they offered 500 free pizzas. Why I didn’t hear about this I do not know but it was very generous of them. The pizzeria was opened 14th August 2017 just over a month ago and last Thursday it was packed to maximum capacity. It was truly amazing to see the customers who are still flocking this pizzeria for authentic and delicious foods. The pizzeria holds 60 persons all in Franco Manca style but fear not they offer takeaways. You have three options to choose from in terms of ordering a takeaway; click & collect, calling & collect or in person.
Tasting Sourdough Pizza
As someone whose never tried sourdough pizza before I was really curious to learn how to make it from scratch. I was even more curious about the taste of sourdough pizza and wondered if it would be to my liking. To be honest my worries were unfounded as I found myself wanting more pizza as the night went on. What I loved is that all the ingredients are either from UK growers or small-scale Italian producers. Because it is an Italian pizzeria I felt it was important to have Italian ingredients to give it the authenticity.
Franco Manca Menu
With only 7 types of pizza on the menu with costs starting from £4.95 it was an easy sale for me. The menu invites you to take a bite of the starters, salads, desserts and wide variety of drinks. During the exclusive dinner we were truly spoilt with a selection of wines we could wash the foods down with. I must recommend the Rosato wine which was my favourite; unfiltered Sicilian wine introduced for the summer. You could buy a bottle for £17.50 or a 250ml glass for £6.45 which I felt was reasonably priced for this delicious wine.
Sourdough pizza making class
Whilst post wine drinking is not the best time to learn how to make sourdough pizza we still had a fabulous time and learnt a lot. From where the flour is bought, what type of flour it should be to the secret recipe of making the perfect sourdough pizza. We had the master pizzeria chef himself teach us and explain the whole process to getting the perfect pizza. Then his chefs demonstrated how they then fill the dough with ingredients and how long it takes to cook (60 seconds). The best part is we didn’t have to just watch them demonstrate we participated and made our own pizzas.
Obviously no blogger exclusive event is complete without goodie bags and let me tell you Franco Manca outdid themselves. Not only were we able to take the pizzas we made home, we got extra goodies to use at home plus TWO BOTTLES of wine. Can I get an amen to the BEST goodie bag EVER!! We had such an amazing time, the staff were wonderful, knowledgeable and kind. The atmosphere of Franco Manca Oxford has convinced this place is one to visit whenever you’re in need of the BEST PIZZA.
Helen Actually... says
Ooh those pizzas look so good! I’ve never heard of Franco Manca, but lucky you getting an evening like that!
Yvonne says
We were regular customers to here when we lived in brixton. They do the best pizzas x
Stephanie says
This place sounds lovely, I haven’t tried sourdough either so would be keen to try it too
sarah (theparentingtrials) says
this place looks amazing, would love to visit it at some point. How good is that goody bag. All the wine 🙂
Kara says
We have just had a Franco Manca open here – looks like I need to pay them a visit as the food looks amazing
Jaime Nicole says
That pizza looks divine! I’ve never tried sourdough pizza, but now I would like to give this a try!
Beach Hut Cook says
Looks such a feast, looks delicious! Also what a brilliant goodie bag.
Emily, Our house now a home says
Um, sourdough pizza?!!!! How have I not had this before!! As an avid bread lover, which I should try to control… but this pizza I need to try! This meal and wine tasting sounds like a great time!
Stella Kashmoney says
Who can say no to pizza? Nobody, lol. The goody bag sounds amazing.
Michelle AthriftyDiva Cantu says
I love traditional ingredient pizza. Franco Manca sounds amazing. Woot for the goodie bag, I’d be stoked to get that amazing gift.
Farrah Less Gomez says
We have plenty of winery here in out area. We love going to each one of them. The red wine is my favorite. What else I could ask for pizza is the perfect match for wine 🙂
Ali || Veggies by Candlelight says
Their food looks so delicious! I haven’t tried sourdough pizza, I think I need to try it asap!
David Jack Taylor says
Looks delicious, I really need to give sour dough a try!
Rachel Akers says
That all looks so delicious. We used to live by a place that only had sourdough pizza. It was always a great treat.
Clairejustineo says
This all looks so tasty. I could just try everything here right now 🙂 Yum!!
Lynsey Betz says
The food looks delicious! Pizza and wine? You just can’t beat it and I’m sure it tastes amazing with sourdough!
Lynn White says
This food looks so good. I make pizza on the grill all the time and love them!
Ana De Jesus says
Would you believe that I have never tried making pizza before or have never been to Franca Manca? Their pizzas look divine x
Tomi_C says
Looks like you had a wonderful time. Pizza and wine pair extremely well together and homemade pizza pie is one of my faves.
valmg says
I do love a good pizza. Pizza is unbelievably popular in our area, and yet surprisingly I don’t recall having seen a sourdough pizza.
Amanda says
Oooh, that pizza looks absolutely delicious. I love wine tasting and pairing food with different wines–it is such a fun and unique experience.
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
Sourdough pizza is the absolute best. It looks like this was a fun and delicious event. I’d love the wine tasting as well.
Candy Kage says
Pizza is of course a favorite and making it with sourdough is a brilliant idea. Now I want pizza of course.
Julee says
Oh! I have on my bucket list to experience a wine tasting and your post proves it needs to stay until I do it! What a great time you had and nom nom on that pizza!
Amber says
Ooo yes please! I’d love to eat here. That pizza looks fantastic. If I’m ever in London, I’m going!
Sarah Bailey says
It sounds like you had an awesome time at this blogger event and what a great goody bag you were gifted as well.
Robin Rue says
That sounds like a lovely place to eat! The food all looks amazing. I would definitely love to try it if I make it to that area.
Helen Jacob-Lloyd says
Oo I’ve always wanted to try Franco Manca, but don’t go to London that often. Oxford is much nearer to me, so I must pay a visit 🙂