On Tuesday June 17th, Base Face Pizza will open their next site in Richmond at 112 Kew Road, TW9 2PQ. Founded by former professional jazz musician, Tim Thornton, Base Face is a lockdown invention inspired by a neglected (Ooni Pro) pizza oven in Tim’s back garden which proved to be a worthy investment.
With life as a touring jazz musician forced to stop during lockdown, it gave Tim the opportunity to explore his foodie side. What started with making pizzas for friends on his driveway during the first lockdown in 2020, quickly turned into a burgeoning pizza business. Realising that C-19 would have a knock on effect for years, not days, and with a young family to look after, Tim decided to swap his double bass for his apron and Base Face was born.
Moving off the driveway, the first permanent Base Face site opened on King Street in Hammersmith in June 2021, with Barnes following in January 2023 and Putney in February 2024. An overwhelming success, Hammersmith’s bijoux proportions meant Tim and his team quickly grew out of it and the search for a bigger ‘flagship’ site began.
With Hammersmith now closed, Base Face will transfer its central operations to its new home in Richmond which will open on Tuesday 17th June and will seat up to 30 diners, complete with 8 seats outside. The Base Face signature interior of wooden tables and chairs complete with a racing green colour scheme remains and of course, the star of the show is the pizza oven located at the back of the restaurant.
Not shy of ambition, Tim is also aware that to do things well means keeping it simple. For this reason Base Face offers a succinct menu of 12 pizzas, available in a 12 inch and mega 18 inch proportion. Be it a simple Marinara (tomato, basil, oregano, garlic oil) to a more adventurous Cheeky Pineapple (Pineapple jam, Cobble Lane pepperoni, jalapeños, mozzarella, tomato, basil) or a white base Manjamo 3.0 (Nduja sausage, house jalapeño jam, red onion, mozzarella, basil) – Tim is dedicated to the perfection of the perfect pizza. All toppings are made using seasonal British ingredients and utilise long ferment and healthy grains to create a perfect thin and crispy pizza in true Neoplitan style. Ideal for families, the 18 inch is a perfect option for sharing and for those that would rather keep things to themselves, then the 12 inch is for you.
A sweet finish is always a good idea and the Nutella Dough Sticks (fresh baked dough sticks, dusted with icing sugar and served with a pot of Nutella to dip) or housemade Tiramisu in either Clotted Cream or Pistachio flavour are bestsellers for a reason. Wash it all down with a selection of wine from Tim’s small but perfectly formed wine list courtesy of Lea and Sanderman or a Battersea brewed Mondo Beer.
To celebrate the launch of its third site, Base Face Pizza, is offering 50% off all pizzas from Tuesday 17th to Sunday 22nd June, 12-9:30pm for those that book a table at its brand-new home on Kew Road in Richmond (discount will not apply to walk ins).
An inspirational journey, Base Face Pizza has taken on a rhythm all of its own. With its third site soon to be in full swing, Tim is maintaining impressive momentum but is nowhere near reaching his crescendo – this is just the start.
