Nestled in the heart of our stunning Sussex South Downs is the quaint and colourful high street of Hurstpierpoint. A charming village lined with eclectic shops, cosy pubs, and exceptional restaurants, including the welcoming and elevated Village Pizza Kitchen.
Local produce champions
Whether you are looking for casual fine dining or a family-friendly lunch, the Village Pizza Kitchen needs to be on your list. Coming from humble beginnings as a takeaway-only kiosk to now proud restaurateurs, the Village Pizza Kitchen is determined to stand out in all the right ways. For starters, they are local produce champions, ethically sourcing as many ingredients as they can from our talented British farmers. From spicy Sussex sausages and mouth-watering Somerset mozzarella to British beetroots and Brighton-based brews, the VPK menu is all about championing British-made wherever possible, and this blogger is here for every bit of it.
Tasteful and welcoming
Village Pizza Kitchen is located on the east end of the cobbled high street, with large windows that flood light into their tastefully decorated and welcoming dining space. There are intimate corners, space for group bookings, and an open pass kitchen that is fun for food lovers like me.
My lovely date Lauren and I were greeted right away by smiling servers and shown to a light and bright table by the window. Although it was blowing a gale outside, with rain shaking the window panes, VPK was cosy and warm, an ideal spot for a midday wine and dine.
Fine dining wine in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere
After a few minutes perusing the wine list, our server offered us a tasting flight to try the various whites on offer, and who could say no to that? Village Pizza Kitchen offers an exquisite and eclectic wine list, handpicked by co-owner and wine specialist James, and includes sommelier-approved low and no-alcohol options. Thoughtful and expertly curated, it rivals any fine dining establishment.
With four generous tasting pours, we sampled each complex and delicious option while James talked us through the tasting notes in a relaxed and approachable way. There is nothing more endearing than speaking with people who truly love what they do, and this wine list was crafted by someone enamoured with wine and elevating the everyday. Crisp and dry, round and fruity, buttery and bright, complex and oaked – every sip was exceptional and ideal for pairing with home-cooked Italian cuisine.
Lauren was drawn to the La Belle Etoile Viognier, with hints of peach and melon, and I chose the complex and full Invincible No2 White, which contains such a diverse blend of varietals that they simply call it “White” – delicious.
Start like you mean to go on.
Nothing starts an Italian dining experience like creamy burrata. If it’s on the menu, it must be ordered, and this gorgeous plate of pillowy white decadence was everything and more. Locally grown purple beetroot, rich and earthy, and sweet roasted carrots, sprinkled with fresh basil leaves straight from the greenhouse, and zesty pops of pickled golden baby beets all topped with a smooth and creamy ball of burrata goodness – divine.
Up next, the crispy golden crunch of toasted bruschetta, with a twist. Homemade rustic bread sliced and toasted with a rub of fresh garlic, made two ways. The first, a classic basil and fresh tomato with sweet roasted red pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. The second, a gorgeous slice of British-rinded goat’s cheese gently melted atop a sweet and savoury layer of caramelised onions. I could have eaten ten!
Truffle oil, crispy kale, and hot honey – oh my!
For our mains, we were recommended to share a pizza and a pasta… don’t mind if we do. The team at VPK don’t believe in shortcuts when it comes to quality, and their beautifully bouncy biga pizza dough is a testament to that. A custom blend of stoneground wholegrain and 00 flours, their bases are the foundation of flavour. Gluten-free? No problem. Every one of their signature and custom-built pizzas can be made with a homemade gluten-free base. With over a dozen speciality options and a decadent list of added toppings, including truffle oil, crispy kale, and hot honey, the possibilities are endless.
Thankfully, we had expert guidance and were recommended The Rox Star, and it was an absolute winner. A perfectly golden-edged pizza crust, covered in a layer of VPK’s secret recipe tomato sauce, Somerset Fior di Latte cheese, hand-rolled British beef and pork meatballs, topped with vibrant green peppers, rich and salty Kalamata olives, a grate of Parmesan, and, if that wasn’t enough, we added an extra flourish of Balcombe Blue Clouds for a bit of blue cheese bite. Yes, please.
Now for the pasta.
The VPK Penne Puttanesca is an umami bomb bowl of delight. Deliciously al dente penne pasta expertly tossed with just enough VPK puttanesca sauce to coat, a delicate hit of fresh chilli, salty anchovy, bright pickled capers and Kalamata olives, finished with grated Parmesan. Not a bite was left.
Time for something sweet.
No meal is complete without a decadent dessert, and after such a fabulous savoury feast, it was time for something sweet. Ordinarily, I could never turn down a tiramisu, but the Black Forest Brownie was calling our name. Warm and gooey chocolate brownie, served with fresh whipped cream, a drizzle of sweet cherry syrup, and topped with deliciously tart Fabbri Amarena cherries. A beautiful balance of sweet and sour – yum.
Nothing short of perfection.
The Village Pizza Kitchen is serving the warmth of homemade Italian with the finesse of fine dining in a quaint and welcoming space. Rustic and flavourful, every dish is prepared with love and champions our exceptional British produce. Whether you are looking for a casual lunch, a delicious date night, or sharing wine and starters with friends, the Village Pizza Kitchen will excite and surprise you.
Thank you so much for having us – we will be back soon with more ladies in tow!
