First look inside Vincenzo's pizzeria in Bushey High Street

Vincenzo’s will welcome customers in Bushey High Street from Thursday after moving into the former Picnics Sandwich Bar unit.

The independent’s owner Tom Vincent, 41, said he has put his “heart and soul into it” and has told the Watford Observer what makes it unique.

He said: “Customers can expect a style of pizza that hasn’t been made in the UK much before and has probably disappeared from the east coast of America too.

A sneak peak inside Vincenzo's, which is set to open this week. (Image: Vincenzo's)

“The main inspiration is the coal oven pizza, which predates the mass-produced American stuff that most people think of when they think of New York pizza.”

Coal oven pizzas differ from the wood fire ones in the UK and Italy, with the pizza “a little more charred and crispy than most other pizzas, while still being fresh and juicy”, he said.

The venue is small and intimate, seating just eight people on a first come first served basis, but it also offers takeaways without deliveries.

Vincenzo's has an open kitchen. (Image: Vincenzo's)

Its 1900s New York-inspired décor is coupled with some modern twists, while there is also an open kitchen so customers can see their food being cooked.

Tom said: “My restaurant is unique because I designed and built the whole shop fit myself.

“I made bespoke terrazzo countertops, rebuilt the shop front to look like it would have 100 years ago, and all the art on the walls I did myself too.”

Tom painted many of Vincenzo's oil paintings himself. (Image: Vincenzo's)

He chose to open in Bushey because he is known locally for a “hugely successful” pop-up at the Load of Hay pub. After numerous near-misses, Tom finally got his ideal location and “couldn’t be happier”.

“The reception from the locals has been phenomenal,” he continued.

“I feel like everyone is behind me and I’d have had the shop finished a week earlier if I hadn’t had so many lovely conversations with curious passers-by.”

The name choice, Vincenzo’s, also has a local twist.

“I was a teacher at Queens' School for eight years and for some reason some of the kids used to call me Mr Vincenzo. My surname is Vincent. I liked the sound of it so that’s where the name came from.”

Vincenzo's (Image: Vincenzo's)

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Vincenzo's will be opening this week. (Image: Vincenzo's)

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