Eat My Words: We review Slow Rise in Lincoln

During a recent family get-together we stopped off at Slow Rise in Lincoln for dinner, and it didn’t disappoint.

I used to live in Lincoln and despite having long since moved away, this pizza restaurant was always a firm favourite.

So, when I met up with family in the city recently, I took the opportunity to go back and see if it was as good as I remembered.

There is no meat on the menu, however this doesn’t mean there is a lack of options by any means.

As it was a beautiful sunny day, we decided to sit on the grass opposite the restaurant, where during the warmer months Slow Rise places picnic blankets for people who want to enjoy their food in the fresh air.

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This made for a really nice evening experience, as we were sharing four pizzas between us it allowed us to spread out and soak up the warm weather.

My favourite topping will always be mushrooms, but with the addition of stilton and a hint of spice, it was nice to try something a little bit different and it went down a treat.

Classics of goats cheese and caramelised onion, or the Mediterranean, were very good as to be expected.

But the real surprise was the monthly special of ‘Tapas’ pizza.

Topped with olives, toasted almonds, paprika, and manchego cheese, this was a unique but tasty twist.

For me, a huge indicator of a good pizza is its crust.

Toppings are important, but a pizza’s bedrock is its bread, and it can make or break a good meal.

For me, Slow Rise has one of the best around and I’d be more than happy eating crusts with a dip on the side.

Then, Cheesy pesto strips, and the garlic and pea arancini balls gave us something with a bit more bite to sink our teeth into.

As a family run business, the range of tiramisus are even homemade by the owner’s mum, and just like the pizza there is a special monthly flavour.

A little too full for desert, I didn’t want to miss out and picked up the special lemon and blueberry flavour to enjoy at home later.

It was creamy, with tart berries, lemon curd and moist sponge, all combining for a light but decadent desert which made me wish I’d picked up a second one.

So, was Slow Rise as good as I remembered? Absolutely.

Out of five:

Food: Straight out of a wood-fired pizza oven, with a perfect crust, and fresh toppings — what’s not to love? With no meat on the menu, there is still a wide choice of options, and dishes can even be made gluten free if requested. *****

Drinks: The menu features a wide selection of both alcoholic and non-alcohol drinks, and many that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to get elsewhere, which means there is always something new to try. *****

Decor: The restaurant is simple but stylish inside, with metal and wood furniture, plants, and a large street facing window bringing in lots of natural light. Although relatively small inside, it has a cosy feel and after dark the warm glow of the lamps create a welcoming atmosphere. The option to sit outside on picnic blankets may not suit everyone, but I thought it allowed for a different kind of eating experience, perfect for a date night or a family get together. ****

Staff: From my experience in the past, and on this most recent visit, the staff are always incredibly friendly, quick to let you know if they are out of certain items, and services is fast. *****

Price: At an average of £13 per pizza, not only is it far cheaper than a takeaway Dominos or Pizza Hut, you get a better quality product too. Between us we shared four pizzas, two sides, and dips and the price came in at just over £70, which considering we had leftovers to take home was a very fair price. ****

Have you had a great meal? Share your own Eat My Words reviews or tell us where to try by emailing: news@lincsonline.co.uk