“You’ll never grow old. And you’ll never die. But you must feed,” is plastered across the monochrome comic book pages that adorn the ceiling of this dinky new Eversholt Street pizzeria (formerly El Parador tapas bar). A quote from the cult 1987 vampire film, it’s the moment when Kiefer Sutherland’s character David is encouraging Michael to turn to the dark side.
This is the second bloodsucker-themed joint for owners and 1980s nostalgia-freaks Alex Fisher and Peter Crozier-Clucas: the original opened its doors two years ago on Junction Road, just between Tufnell Park and Archway.
With a bar on one side and their pun-laden menu penned on the steel blue wall opposite, it’s casual, no-frills and all about fun. There’s outdoor space too, a decent-sized area out the back strewn with fairy-lights.
Back inside, heads bop to the eclectic soundtrack that bashes out tunes from Cher and Madonna to Brian Adams and Madness. But don’t hold that against the place: food and drinks are top-notch.
Their signature black charcoal dough is super-light and crisp. “You won’t feel guilty eating it all,” says our upbeat server. With that in mind we gleefully devour Fangs For the Memories alongside Ready Pizza One (both £10): the former is topped with smoky, charred at-the-edges chorizo and still-crunchy slivers of pepper and red onions, the latter a well-balanced combo of smoked ham and fiery green chilli pineapple relish, the spicy sauce drizzled in the shape of a star.
Appetising-sounding vegan options include Kale All Vampires (cherry tomatoes, caramelised shallots, oregano and lemon zest) and Coffin Dodger (broccoli artichokes, mushrooms and rocket) – both with nutritional yeast for a protein fix.
Who can resist a dessert of brownie? Theirs is animal-free and particularly memorable: rich and fudgy, the sizeable slab is crowned with pieces of walnut and sticks pleasingly to the roof of your mouth, whilst the accompanying soy-based, vanilla-flecked ice-cream is indistinguishable from a dairy version.
With a cocktail list featuring classics and originals, we’re tempted to get stuck in – but their subterranean absinthe bar Croque Monsieur is calling. So without further ado, we head downstairs to become acquainted with the green fairy – find out how we got on here.
Open Tues-Sun (lostboyspizza.com) at 245 Eversholt Street, Camden NW1. Pizzas from £8.
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