A new pizza sensation is coming to Peckham as Naples native Andrea Asciuti prepares to launch Connie’s Pizzeria under the railway arches at Queen’s Road. The venue, located at 133 Queen’s Road, London, SE15 2ND, takes over the former site of Smokey Kudu and is set to open on January 26, 2026. Early visitors will receive 25% off their bill until the end of February.
Asciuti, who already found success with 081 Pizzeria, recently ranked 43rd on Europe’s best pizzas list by 50 Top Pizza in 2024. The restaurateur opened a second 081 location in Shoreditch last year, continuing his expansion across London. This new concept draws inspiration from Asciuti’s family, named after his wife Connie with a menu influenced by his daughter Lili’s Italian-British upbringing.
Connie’s Pizzeria embraces what Asciuti calls a “Bri-talian” approach, blending traditional Italian techniques with distinctly British flavors. The restaurant features high-hydration dough made from American flour, fermented for 36-48 hours before being baked at 370°C. This process creates a crisp, non-floppy base that remains light and chewy.
Bri-talian innovation meets pizza perfection with dough that delivers both crispness and chew.
The 53-cover restaurant will offer eight different kinds of pizza, with prices starting at £9.95. Menu highlights include a classic margherita with British mozzarella, tomato and aubergine pie, nduja with British stracciatella, and sautéed mushrooms with truffle and basil. Each pizza showcases Italian tomatoes alongside locally-produced cheeses and seasonal British ingredients like leeks, mushrooms, and aubergine.
Beyond pizzas, diners can expect sides such as deep-fried mac ‘n’ cheese, mozzarella sticks, and meatballs. For dessert, Connie’s offers fiocco di neve, soft mini brioches filled with ricotta and whipped cream.
The art deco aesthetic complements this fusion approach that intentionally “throws authenticity out the window” in favor of innovation. While maintaining zero compromise on Italian technique, Connie’s Pizzeria boldly incorporates British flavor profiles, creating what Asciuti hopes will contribute to London’s emerging pizza identity.
