MJMK to help launch new pizza place Lenny's

New Haven pizzeria brand Lenny's will open its first permanent site in Covent Garden this autumn in partnership with MJMK Restaurants, the team behind Michelin-starred KOL and AngloThai, Luso and Fonda, and Casa do Frango. 

Founded by Max Lewis, Lenny's introduced London to apizza (pronounced "ah-beetz"), a style first developed by Italian immigrants in New Haven in the early 1900s.

This style of pizza is defined by its crispy, chewy, charred crust, irregular slices, blistered edges and oblong shape.

Image: Lenny's

Popularised by Frank Pepe’s  pizzeria, founded in 1925, New Haven apizza has remained a defining part of Connecticut’s food culture ever since.

Lenny's brought that tradition to London in 2024 with its long-running residency at The Bedford Tavern in Finsbury Park. 

The Covent Garden opening marks the step up from residency to restaurant.

"The very first idea Marco and I ever had was to open an East Coast pizzeria in London - we've always believed it's the best pizza in the world," says Jake Kasumov, co-founder of MJMK Restaurants. "It never quite came together, so when I first tried Max's pizza at his Lenny's residency in a North London pub 18 months ago, it felt like fate.

"This was exactly the pizza we'd spent years looking for and never found. Getting to know Max sealed it - he's an absolute legend, and we can't wait for everyone to try it when we open in Covent Garden."

A speciality, hybrid pizza, The Lenny splits a 14-inch pie  down the middle: one half topped with tomato, garlic and pecorino, the other a classic mozzarella pie.

"Lenny's started as a love letter to New Haven apizza and its culture," adds Lewis. "I couldn't believe no one had brought this incredible style of pizza, and the stories behind it, to London. The support I’ve had from both London and New Haven has been overwhelming - it's been amazing to see this idea grow into something much bigger. Opening Lenny’s first permanent home in Covent Garden is totally surreal and partnering with MJMK Restaurants is a dream come true."

You may also be interested in…