Union Jacks

The Essex lad who saved our schoolchildren from their expanding waistlines and  single-handedly kept the word 'pucker' in circulation needs very little introduction, in fact he barely even needs a last name anymore. Our Jamie is undoubtedly the nation's sweetheart, his round face beaming out from book covers, his mockney accent blasting through living rooms across the UK. Following the success of Fifteen, Barbecoa and Jamie's Italian he now brings us Union Jacks. Described as the place 'where wood fired flatbreads meet great British flavours', Union Jacks is the foodie love affair between Jamie and Bronx born chef Chris Bianco who is known for his perfect pizzas. The pair hit it off and decided to merge their two passions for quality British ingredients and artisan dough making. The menu here has a strong whiff of nostalgia, with starters like the prawn and Morecambe bay shrimp cocktail or the deliciously childish by-catch fish fingers with tartare sauce. The mains also use classic flavour combos to top the (don't call them pizzas) flatbreads. Roast pig comes with quince, Bramley sauce, Cropwell Bishop Stilton, crackling and watercress. The menu also provides the option to 'pimp your pizza' with wild mushrooms, Cornish sardines, shoulder of pig, oxtail and brisket and rainbow chillies. Along with a cracking range of homemade ice creams including earl grey tea and biscuit flavour, Union Jacks have also come up with a quirky array of retro British puds like the bitter chocolate mousse Gary-Baldy biscuits. Sticking to what he knows best, Jamie shamelessly flies the local-food flag and has created a 'look to your own back garden' sourcing philosophy. Union Jacks' decor is youthful, quirky and more kitsch than your Nan's house at Christmas. This Holborn branch is centrally located smack bang in the middle of St Giles, a modern dining hub with lots of familiar highstreet eateries. If using smart phones to navigate your way use the post code WC2H 8LE.