I stumbled upon Bunga Bunga for the first time about a year ago and spent a merry Saturday night there dancing until dawn with a few pals.

We arrived quite late and although there were a few groups tucking into some pizza, it didn’t really strike me as the kind of place you’d head to for a meal – more a place to party.

But on my second visit there on a recent Thursday I was proved wrong – it’s in fact both of those things, with each done extremely well.

I was there for launch of the venue’s new weekly event, The Roman Empire of Bunga Bunga, which sees one of the diners crowned the new ‘emperor’ after uploading a winning selfie to Facebook or Twitter of them in the Bunga Bunga cap waiting on the tables.

The ‘emperor’ is then rewarded with a cocktail sharer for eight people and a parade around the restaurant in a sedan chair – harking back to Italy’s heyday and the roots of the Roman capital.

As you’d expect, it’s loud, raucous and cheesier than a gorgonzola pizza – so it won’t be up everyone’s street, but my friend and I found it thoroughly entertaining.

While the action unfolded we tucked into some of the traditional Italian fare on the menu, starting with a mixed board of mozzarella, olives and a selection of ham and bread.

Highlights which followed were the chicken milanese which was crispy on the outside, not a bit greasy and the meat tender and moist, while the zucchini chips were addictive with light and crunchy batter.

But this place is all about the pizzas – and, thankfully, we weren’t disappointed when the huge near-metre long slabs of Roman-style treats arrived.

As you’d hope, the bases were thin and crispy with a delicious balance of flavours and just the right amount of cheese. My favourite topping was the ham and mushroom – the meat smokey and flavoursome, and the vegetables earthy.

After some gelato to round off the meal, we decided to head home but could have happily stayed to dance and warm up my vocal chords on the karaoke machine – but with work the next day we had to call it a night.

Bunga Bunga is not your average pizza joint and it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re looking for a tasty meal with a bit of a party thrown in then this venue will tick all of the right boxes.

The Roman Empire of Bunga Bunga takes place every Thursday between 6pm to 1.30pm at Bunga Bunga, 37 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3BA.

See www.bungabunga-london.com for more information.