PizzaExpress

One of my favourite branches of Pizza Express - the food and staff are of a generally high and always reliable quality, and the decor is modern and interesting without feeling industrial. I went there on a date (not my most inspired moment; my financial situation regrettably ruled out any hot-air balloon rides or trips to the Beaufort Bar) and was very positively surprised. Date didn't go that well, but I don't think it was Pizza Express' fault.

I never expected to walk into a PizzaExpress brightly coloured in white, orange, blue and purple, but apparently today that's what I did. The décor inside is fantastic, and I know that not all PizzaExpresses are like this, and until recently this one was the same as the others - essentially black and white and a bit more traditional.

The change makes it look a bit more snazzy, and I like it! My favourite part is the huge mirrors that are angled above the pizza-making counter, allowing you to 'look down' into the kitchen to watch your pizzas being made and served. It really makes a difference and adds an element of awe and inspiration to watch the pizzaiolos twirl the dough and throw ingredients at it, and means you can see exactly where what you are eating was forged.

I used my taste card, today - on a bank holiday - which was a pleasant surprise to find out they still accepted them on such days, and so my girlfriend and I had dough balls and garlic bread between us and a pizza each. The starters came out quickly, as did my Sicilian lemonade (my little treat as I think PizzaExpress is okay...but she loves it, so we have to come regularly!). The garlic bread was possibly the best we've had at any PizzaExpress, and the dough balls were very good too.

Given the new furniture and look of the place, I thought I'd complete the occasion by choosing one of the new pizzas on the menu, which don't actually seem to be on their website or available at the other, still traditional, venues. I picked the Emiliana, which looked interesting, having mushrooms of all variety, béchamel sauce and cheese. I'd never had a non-tomato based pizza before, but I love mushrooms and so was looking forward to it. Watching them prepare it was interesting but unfortunately when it came, it was quite undercooked, and I couldn't find a hint of béchamel on the pizza. I wasn't too impressed, especially as I'd have enjoyed it more had I not found a hair baked into the dough! I don't think I'll be eating a white sauce pizza again!

However, despite my bad choice of pizza, my friend enjoyed hers (though undercooked as well), and both pizzas did have a lot of topping, which can be unusual for a PizzaExpress. The service was very good as well, with both our server and the manager checking on us regularly, and the waitress apologised profusely about the hair when I told her.

It would have got a 4, had I not had a bad pizza experience. I'll have to go back for another go - I'm sure it won't be too long before I'm dragged back there!

Yes another pizza express it very much the same formula but the location means that it`s not in a very busy part of town so does not get all that busy. It has an outside seating area for when it not wet and cold and inside it pretty funky. Have been a few times and each time it was not that busy and only a few other dinners at the time so I would not say its great for small children.

A few bars around which are quite lively so maybe at certain times of day it would get more custom

I know, I know ….it’s only pizza, but I just can’t get enough of their chocolate fudge cake with ice cream. I’m just drooling as I type !!

I love pizza express. The pizza is just great. The quality of the food is great. I absolutely adore the starters, particularly the dough balls and bruschetta. Mmmmm!! I do really like the lemonade too.. the food is great,, and the fact that everything is so fresh is great. The staff are really friendly and polte and nice. Nothing to criticise really. All good. Better than pizza hut etc… and they really have improved ASK too.. although the pizza is very similar.. i guess thats a good thing!!

This Pizza Express is no different from any other pizza express, the staff are friendly, the food is very good, the service is up to scratch and the venue is comfortable and welcoming.
They change the menu regularly and have special dishes according to the season with in season produce which makes me think that everything cooked, or at least most things are fresh.