PIZZA EXPRESS: Last night, presumably along with thousands of other people across the United Kingdom, I had a meal at my local Pizza Express. Ask any of us about our meal last night, and most of us would probably respond in much the same way. How was dinner last night? Well, actually it was ... Read review
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Advantages: Tasty, Reliable, Reasonably Priced Disadvantages: It's A Chain! No Salt & Pepper!
PIZZA EXPRESS: Last night, presumably along with thousands of other people across the United Kingdom, I had a meal at my local Pizza Express. Ask any of us about our meal last night, and most of us would probably respond in much the same way. How was dinner last night? Well, actually it was pretty good. It was really nice. A very pleasant evening. I think you get the drift; Pizza Express is fine. It's a perfectly serviceable chain of perfectly reliable ... ...to descend in large groups, Pizza Express is on a mission for global domination. Don't take my word for it, though. Have a look at their website. This is one seriously successful chain, bigger than you probably imagine and getting even bigger.
HISTORY: Peter Boizot, who honed his pizza-making expertise in the trattorias of Florence, founded Pizza Express in the 1960's. He took pity on Londoners, or so the fairytale runs, because ... more
PIZZA EXPRESS: Last night, presumably along with thousands of other people across the United Kingdom, I had a meal at my local Pizza Express. Ask any of us about our meal last night, and most of us would probably respond in much the same way. How was dinner last night? Well, actually it was pretty good. It was really nice. A very pleasant evening. I think you get the drift; Pizza Express is fine. It's a perfectly serviceable chain of perfectly reliable restaurants, each different from the others in ways that only serve to highlight their similarities. But behind the warm smiles of the pizza-makers in their stripy-gondolier T-shirts, the glow of the ubiquitous wood-fired oven in the background, with its logs assembled scenically to one side, and the tittering of the diners, many of whom always seem to descend in large groups, Pizza Express is on a mission for global domination. Don't take my word for it, though. Have a look at their website. This is one seriously successful chain, bigger than you probably imagine and getting even bigger.
HISTORY: Peter Boizot, who honed his pizza-making expertise in the trattorias of Florence, founded Pizza Express in the 1960's. He took pity on Londoners, or so the fairytale runs, because they were unable to enjoy a really good Pizza; a proper, exotic, wood-fired Pizza, and so brought an authentic oven across the sea from Rome, along with an authentic Roman to operate it. The first restaurant opened in Soho's Wardour St. in 1965. Today, there are more than 300 restaurants throughout the UK and the brand, which also incorporates the 'Café Pasta' chain, has been floated on the London Stock Exchange.
BRAND: The Pizza Express brand is represented by a circular, blue logo, which owes much to Art-Nouveau styling, but is also vaguely reminiscent of the swirling patterns on traditional Tuscan pottery, as sold in the back-lanes of Florence or the tourist dens of San Gimignano. It is reassuring sort of an image, suggesting both quality and an almost earnest adherence to an alternative Tradition. It's Pizza, but not as we know it. This is grown-up, sophisticated Pizza, the logo suggests. What it certainly isn't suggestive of is red-checked tablecloths, or candles wedged into straw-bedecked Chianti bottles. No, this is classy Pizza for a classy, modern age.
MY FIRST Pizza Express experience was at the branch on London's Baker Street, about 6 years ago. I'd just arrived in the UK, was staying with an elderly aunt in Epsom, and had come into town for my first job interview. The interview over, I'd passed the Pizza Express on my way back to the tube. It was a frigidly frosty February day, and the gently lit restaurant looked especially enticing. I'd never actually heard of Pizza Express before, and didn't even realise it was a chain, but after my first Pizza Express experience I have to say I really was very impressed. The Menu was great. The staff charming. The toilets were stylish & impeccably clean. Best of all, the bill scarcely made it into double figures. Now, since then, I've eaten at Pizza Express dozens of times, and at numerous different branches… in Brighton, Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, and at least a dozen outlets in London. I've never really been disappointed, but then again, I can't say I've ever really been as impressed as I was that first time, either. I suppose the rot probably set in when I discovered it was a chain, because I take a slightly cynical view of them, generally. And that which seems charming as a one-off, suddenly becomes a little contrived and predictable when it's one of many.
THE RESTAURANTS: As said, no two branches are absolutely identical. Some are set over multiple floors, whilst others are slotted into the gutted remnants of old Victorian Banks, or even medieval, High Street terraces. The consistency lies in the blue-branding, the slightly stark & minimalist furnishing, the scattered hothouse palms, and the ubiquitous, lone gerbera in a space-saving little vase on every table. Generally, there will also be a little card on the table encouraging you to join the Pizza Express club, which promises free meals and discounts, as well as private invitations to 'exclusive' Pizza Express Jazz Events. Such luminaries as Van Morrison and Jamie Cullum have been known to perform at these, usually at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho. On the downside, the tables are often infuriatingly small & unadorned by either a saltcellar or pepper grinder. I can only assume they're worried about people stealing them, having once worked in a slightly more expensive restaurant where this sort of thing was a very real, and very expensive issue. If you ask for salt or pepper, the waiter will oblige, but then hover over you until you've finished with it, which can prove a little irritating. As to the rest of the restaurant, well, the toilets are generally very sleek and clean, with a large amount of mirrored glass and marble in evidence. Overall, the layout is rather good, although the chairs aren't especially comfortable, something which really doesn't encourage you to linger over your food for any longer than necessary. Perhaps this is deliberate; but then, the name says it all, really.
THE MENU: It's difficult to fault the menu at Pizza Express. It changes from time to time, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse, but most of the popular staples remain inviolable. The starters, which consist principally of garlicky, doughy items and light salads, are very moreish and attractively presented, costing between £1.95 and £3.95. The mains, which consist mainly of, well, Pizzas, are also very tasty, and even a little original at times, although perhaps not on par, in the originality stakes, with the selection at Zizzi's, for example. My personal favourite on the menu is the long-standing 'Veneziana', topped with onions, capers, pine nuts, sultanas and olives. The menu sombrely advises that a 'discretionary' contribution of 25p is made on your behalf to the Venice Fund whenever you order this pizza, and whilst this probably won't save Venice from sinking, well, I suppose Rome wasn't built in a day either. I used to order this pizza with extra gorgonzola, but the gorgonzola, inexplicably, is now no longer available. Pity. Other popular pizzas include 'La Reine' which is topped with ham, olives and mushrooms, the 'American Hot' with pepperoni and peppers, and the 'Soho' with fresh rocket and parmesan. All of these pizzas are usually exceptionally good; the base is always slighty smoky from the woood-burning oven, firm at the crust, yet soft in the centre, and just thin enough to avoid being doughy, without being so thin as to snap in your fingers. The toppings are always conspicuously fresh and of a very high standard. Pizzas are priced between £5 and £8, which represents pretty good value. There are also a number of pasta and salad options, although why anyone would insist on eating pasta when there's a perfectly decent pizza on offer is beyond me! Each to his own, I suppose! The wine list is decent enough, and reasonably well priced, and the dessert menu includes a number of rich & chocolatey items, as well as Italian staples such as Tiramisu. By the way, there is also a special 'Christmas Menu' available in December, which includes 'Intro, Starter, Main and Dessert' for £14.95. Details are on the website.
SIDELINES: Other than the aforementioned Veneziana fund, which now sponsors a number of small charities, and the Jazz-club sideline, Pizza Express has also recently embarked upon an assault on the supermarket pizza industry. Whilst pretty good, these are a little expensive, for my money, with the average pizza costing almost as much as it would in the restaurant.
CONCLUSION: Pizza Express is a very pleasant and reliable chain of restaurants, serving up good quality food with fresh ingredients at fairly reasonable prices. It would be churlish of me, let alone frankly hypocritical, not to recommend it, as I continue to go back, time and time again. Mostly, I tend to go to Pizza Express when I just want a decent meal out, and am feeling too tired or too lazy to think of anywhere else. But having said that, if I were in Soho, for example, or anywhere else with a little non-chain, decent-pizza competition, I probably wouldn't go to Pizza Express at all. Oh, and by the way, if I were in Soho, I'd go to Kettner's.
Advantages: Great food Disadvantages: Might eat too much!
...I went to the Pizza Express in Weybridge on Saturday and was rather impressed with the service generally, so I thought, since I have not written for a while, that I would tell you about these restaurants. Lovely!
LOCATION
The company have branches dotted up and down the country – they are very easy to find – you will come across a restaurant in the high street of most towns and in the main streets of large cities. They’re everywhere.
... ...As you approach your Pizza Express, try not to do so by car, because of the prime location of the stores, car parking is not really that easy around them so if you live nearby it might be a good idea to take a walk.
You go through the heavy door and you stand, most likely in a glass encasement to stop a draft from getting in to the restaurant and therefore cooling down everybody else’s meals. But just sit tight for a few moments!
FIRST SERVICE
...
robertetheridge 22.01.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Pizza Express
Advantages: Unusual twist with Italian basics! Disadvantages: Busy at most popular times
Pizza Express provide good and tasty food at a reasonable price in a pleasant atmosphere with classy surroundings. They provide an exciting change to garlic bread in the shape of their garlic dough balls, which must be tried to be believed. Their baked American cheese cake (with a strawberry garnish) is to die for.
The portions are adequate and not overfacing, although you are only allowed one trip to the salad bar. The staff are very nice, although ...
Peachypobs 22.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pizza Express
Advantages: Good Service, Great Food, Disadvantages: If you're on a budget
Pizza Express Manchester sets the standard for restaurants of this nature with very polite and proffessional waiteresses and a fabulous interior. This restaurant seats many with a ground, first and second floor, and bosts the ambience of an authentic italian resturant.
The Pizzas are absolutely amazing and mouth watering, once you have eaten a pizza here you will not ever eat one anywhere else. The dough is light, yeasty and mouth watering followed ... ...you've ever eaten a fantastic pizza and you yearn for that flavour again then pay Pizza Express a visit.
The prices reflect the quality and speed of service and you would be ill mannered not to give a small tip to your waiteress, who will have done her best to make you happy. It really does amaze me how much effor the people put in to make sure that you enjoy your meal.
Tables are set apart well to prevent klaustrophobia but the space is utilised ...
meeshaman 26.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pizza Express
Advantages: Slightly classier type of snack meal Disadvantages: Expense
Pizza Express is the place to go for a good, quick american-italian experience. The food is good, although slightly more expensive than it's popular high street rivals, but the atmosphere and decor of the restaurants makes it a preferable alternative when looking for a snack meal rather than an entire evening. The staff are friendly and the facilities clean and well maintained. On a plus point, their dreamy salad dressing can be purchased to take ...
Pobs 22.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pizza Express
Advantages: Great mains! Disadvantages: But you need to work on the salads!
I visited the pizza express in my home town with a friend for lunch for last week. I thought I would give it a go as I had not been for a number of years. We were quickly seated in the window and although it was the busy lunchtime session, it did not feel overly crowded, although the ambient noise level was high and we had to lean in close to carry on our conversation. We ordered drinks (two diet cokes) which were quite expensive and served in glass ... ...chicken and I ordered a pizza with a side salad, a vegetarian special pizza which I was very much looking forward to scoffing down! We waited approximately twenty minutes to be served our lunch. It arrived and it all looked very good, the dishes were hot and the ingredients on our main plates looked fresh and tasty. My friend commented that her pasta was delicious. There were lots of pieces of chicken breast in the dish and it had a good strong smell ...
excelsior81 29.07.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Pizza Express
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