Ria's Review - Notting Hill - London - The Infatuation

"Is it a wine bar? Is it a pizza place? Is it a charming little space in Notting Hill where you’re likely to see a dog wearing a £48 COS sweater? Yes, yes, and (if you’re lucky) yes. Ria’s is a wine bar, but the thing we most love about this toasty spot is that if you took away the bottles and margarita Mondays, it’s a stand-up Detroit-style pizza place. The square slices are so good we’d even make the trip to eat them without the promise of spotting a fully-clothed dog.  Quiet chatter fills the small, baby blue room, as friends lean back on the cushioned oak benches—pét nat in hand, whipped ricotta and tomato slice on the mind. A dinner here can never not feel intimate. It’s in the nature of the 24-cover room, the dim lighting that’ll make you feel like you’re in the ‘rom’ part of a romcom, and the counter seats that line the restaurant. On slower mornings, when all you want is an oat flat white and a place that feels like your (dream) living room to drink it in, nab the the slouchy sofa at the front. Day, night, and all those pockets in between, you’ll find something you like here.   But the main event is the pillowy, moreish pizza. Picky eaters can order by the slice, but anyone with decision fatigue is better off going for the mix and match pie. A spicy prawn topping is our personal favourite. And just like any respectable pizza place should have, there’s a list of sauces and dips for drizzling over—or violently dunking—your crusts. Go for Frank's hot butter if you’re a fan of buffalo sauce, or the hot honey if you like a little sweetness with your savoury. After a meal here, you’ll realise that Ria’s quiet confidence is the kind that’s backed up with excellently fluffy pizza and the energy of a park-up-for-hours wine bar.  " - Rianne Shlebak