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Pizza Geeks December pop-up in Easter Road
This Pizza Geeks pop-up at 126 Easter Road will run until the end of January 2024 and features an arcade and gaming room as well as signature sourdough pizzas. This third site joins those in Haymarket and Leith and is the largest. The group specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas and also runs the ‘Pizza for the People’ initiative which has so far given over 37, 500 pizzas to people in need. Last Friday, I had the chance for a sneak peek at the soft launch. Pizza Geeks are known for the quality of their dough which uses zero/zero flour that ferments for 72 hours. Once ready, tomato and cheese are added to make the classic "pizza Napolitana", but then irreverence and creativity are introduced with the toppings. I tasted pizza with chorizo, black pudding, chili, and honey. Could you keep a Spaniard happier? Sweet, savory, spicy, greedy... such a fun bite!
The venue is an attractive large space that signals good vibes. There are some high tables by the windows and a wide dining room which, despite tables being laid separately, creates a sense of a communal pizzeria. If you miss good old videogames then you have an additional reason to visit as there's a back room with different arcades where you can play games while enjoying a pint of Pilot and cracking through your pizza. It is inspired by 80’s nostalgia, encompassing everything from gaming to movies, featuring 8-bit graphics, blockbuster vibes, and a nod to iconic 80s-inspired shows like Stranger Things. Well-known graffiti artist Francis Carty from Artisan Artworks bring their vision to life for the new space while the team at Solas Neon has contributed neon installations throughout.
This pop-up is a fun place to catch up with your friends and family over the festive period. At the end of January, Pizza Geeks will shut the doors for a bit so they can install a log-fired pizza oven to allow customers to see how the pizzaiolo works. Pizza Geeks - 126 Easter Road, Edinburgh