Pizza Express is popular chain amongst many of the parents I know. It has always served as a great place to meet up over half term and other holidays for a lunch with our little ones to catch up. It’s well known amongst the school mummies more so recently as we have been invited to a few pizza making birthday parties over the last year or so which were great fun for the kiddies and us mums. Normally when we go to these parties the mums stay in the main restaurant whilst the kids are whisked of to have fun making their own pizzas in another room. Us mums would sit and relax and have a chat whilst nibbling on a slice or two of pizza. I signed up to the Pizza Express emails a while back so that I would hear about new menus and offers so I was excited when I heard there was a new Summer menu. I love going out for meal and this was the perfect excuse to go out and try something new. This time I went with my family including hubby and my 2 daughters in tow. Mr Squishy was left behind at a relatives as he has an extremely short attention span and likes to try and run around which means we don’t get to enjoy the whole experience as much.
The Summer menu is nice and varied with a range of pizzas, salads and oven baked dishes. There are also gluten free options including risotto, pizzas, dough balls sorbets and even a pilsner.
I was indecisive (as always) but eventually managed to knock down my options to one dish. My children ordered off the Piccolo menu which includes dough balls and side salad, pizza or pasta, a dessert and a bambinoccino, all for only £6.95!
My husband and I decided to get a starter to share. Whilst we waited the children were given activity sheets and stickers to keep them entertained which is always great!
Starters
The children’s starter was a great size and is great for boosting their 5 a day count. The girls gobbled it down and went back to their activity sheets.
Classic Italian Antipasto
Italian meats: Finnochiona, Coppa, Milano salami and Calabrese sausage D.O.P, with olives, artichoke, roasted tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, sweet Peppadew peppers and dough baked with Gran Milano cheese, accompanied by garlic butter and pestorissa, a harissa spiced tomato dip.
This was nicely presented and a good size. It’s one of those dishes that has a lovely variety of items included which I love and everything was rich in flavour and great quality from the tasty salamis to the sundried tomatoes. War almost broke out of the harissa spiced tomato dip which was made with sundried tomatoes to give it a gorgeous rich and delicious flavour. This had a lovely kick to it too but wasn’t to hot. The bread went well with this as did the garlic butter – glad we both ate some of that or hubby would have complained I smelt of garlic. The fresh rocket was very welcome and the peppers were great adding a good texture and flavour contrast with their crunch, tangyness and mild heat. The meats were all lovely, my favourite was the chorizo which was found hidden beneath the rest as was really rich in flavour.
Mains
Children’s
American / Pepperoni
A classic and favourite with many children including my youngest daughter. The portion size was just right considering there was a starter and dessert included. She really enjoyed her pizza and wasn’t quite able to eat the whole thing indicating the portion was more than enough.
Bolognese
My eldest daughter had this and although she had expected spaghetti not penne she was still happy and it wasn’t surprising to see why. I tasted the meat sauce to get an idea of the flavour and it was packed full of meat and sun ripened and sundried tomatoes. You couldn’t fault it. I was pleased that it had not been overlooked as just a child’s meal it was a great recipe.
Adults
La Reine
Prosciutto cotto, black olives, closed cup mushroom, mozzarella and tomato.
My husband asked for this but on a Romana base (thin) and he thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought he would make it through the whole pizza but he stopped after about 4/5 to allow space for dessert. This was yummy, packed full of flavour and lacking nothing.
Soho 65 V
Mozzarella and tomato with black olives, buffalo mozzarella and garlic oil, finished with rocket, shaved Gran Milano cheese and extra virgin olive oil.
I had been asked if I wanted hams / meats on this but I declined as I quite fancied trying it as it was. The meats are an option on the menu for a small charge. The pizza was delicious, the base was nice and thin which I liked. This pizza was on a Romana base inspired by those from Rome where the base is stretched to give the toppings flavours centre stage and that they did just that. The tomato gave a gorgeous richness where as the cheese brought its own creamy deliciousness, the olives a lovely saltiness and the fresh rocket a peppery freshness. The flavours combined well and none were overpowering. I was really failing the team with this as the starter was quite filling so I ate 1/4, the rest was packaged up for us to take home.
Desserts
Children’s
Chocolate Brownie
A classic brownie recipe made with gluten-free flour, topped with fresh strawberry and icing sugar. (Gluten free and vegetarian).
My eldest asked for the brownie and her sister oddly said she was full although that didn’t last for long. The second her sisters brownie arrived miraculously space had appeared in her tummy and she really really really wanted one. Off she went to find our server to as for a brownie and when it arrived she tucked in happily eating every single crumb. Clearly they both enjoyed the brownies as not a word was muttered whilst they ate – a pleasant treat for me and my husband as generally the youngest doesn’t stop talking from the moment she rises to the moment she falls asleep. The brownie was rich, gooey and chocolatey as one might expect. The almost spotless plate indicated how much the children enjoyed their dessert. This was washed down with the bambinoccino (Frothed milk with a sprinkle of chocolate powder).
Adults
My husband had the raspberry sorbet and I thought I would be adventurous and try one of the new Summer desserts the Summer tiramisu.
Raspberry Sorbet
This was gorgeous. It was light, tangy and extremely refreshing. The prefect palette cleanser for end of a meal. I plan to go back to grab one of these for myself.
Summer Tiramisu
Light and fruity twist to the original dessert. Layers of ladyfingers soaked in Vin Santo wine, mascarpone cream and sweet strawberry puree, served with strawberry and mint.
This was an interesting adaptation of the traditional coffee dessert. It was light, sweet, creamy and not overpowering, a great Summery dish. The strawberry puree works well. This was a little like a strawberry trifle that I make at home sometimes.
Our server was great he was friendly, good with the children and very helpful.
Overall I was pleased with the meal as was the rest of the family. In fact it was best meal I had eaten at a Pizza Express. I know we will be going back again for meals over the Summer. The portion sizes are good and what’s just as wonderful is that if you have a tastecard you can get a buy one get one free deal.
Enjoyed this Post?
Subscribe to Melanie’s Fab Finds RSS feed to see my latest posts. Posts will include recipes, reviews, etc. and as a result, you will hear about my new posts and competitions first!
Watch our fab product reviews on YouTube x
We were invited to a branch of Pizza Express to try out their Summer menu. All views are our own as always.
Discover more from Melanie's Fab Finds
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
This looks so nice! I love Pizza Express and I would love to try the tiramisu!
They are good aren’t they and have a great range of dishes.
I love the variety, we all love pizza but like some salad too, we haven’t been to pizza express but enjoy the pizza hut buffet there’s a variety of pizza pasta and salad and you can help yourself xxx
From what I remember of Pizza hut the pizzas are not to the same quality as those at Pizza Express. These guys food is far superior. You need to try it and see for yourself x
My kids love Pizza Express at the menu caters so well for them.
They do really have a great menu for children with plenty of food so they don’t leave hungry.
You can’t go wrong with Pizza Express, I looove their dough balls! Your tiramisu looks amazing!!
I can see why they are so popular. This could be their best menu to date!
I have never been to pizza express before but the summer menu looks really nice, will have to go one day
You will love it I’m sure. I sure did!
I love pizza express and looking forward to checking out their new menu.
There is a really good choice and it’s different which is great as we all need a change here and there.
It looks so yum! I’m tempted to just go for the sorbet as that’s one of my most fav. puddings! haha
The sorbet was gorgeous, perfect now the weather is so warm.
Love Pizza Express – we often visit after we have been to the cinema as they are side by side!
That’s handy. It does help when they are located nearby.
The food look great, I thought they were very similar to Pizza Hut, but the food looks much more authentic!
Oh no they are totally different from Pizza Hut. Pizza Express is so much nicer.
Your pizza looks great Melanie – though think I would have succumbbed and ordered it with some kind of meat on it (probably proscuitto!). Looks like you all really enjoyed yourselves though x
That would have worked very well with the pizza I chose I might do that on my next visit.
oh my lot love pizza express, there so many different ones to choose from to keep them all happy
There are plenty to choose from plus there is more than just pizza.
it looks wonderful and the girls looks so happy , i like the light salad meal as well, great review
Thanks we enjoyed our visit there 😉
The summer menu looks amazing! Going to have to see if PE here are doing it too, looks so light and refreshing, perfect for hot days.
I bet you love the new menu!
It was all so mouth-watering! Each food item looked super delicious. Romana base looks the best!
It was good I prefer that base.
I haven’t eaten pizza for a long time. This place reminds me of Cici’s pizza. Looks like y’all had a great time there!
Anywhere pizza is served is where I want to be! Whenever I travel to my parent’s state for a visit, I like to check out my own favourite pizza joints. Yum!
There are so many flavours and bases now it’s great fun discovering a new yummy flavour.
This looks so much different from the other Pizza chains. I would definitely want to try them.
Do do a very good job don’t they that starter is really well presented and tasted great as did the rest of the food.
This looks like such a fun pizza place. I love the appetizer and then the fact that they have perfect portions sizes is so great. Your daughters are so cute.
It does help that the portion sizes are good.
Everything looks amazing from the pizza to the desserts. It seems like a great family place. I love that the kids were able to go and make their own pizzas at a party there.
The pizza making is really good fun
Looks lovely I love pizza and salad. I love the look of the starter too it looks tasty.
The starter was great, lots of different flavours.
I don’t think we have pizza express where I live. I love pizza and the starters look at this place looks yum
Now that is a shame. I hope you get to try them sometime.
everything look lovely, its one of my favourite places to eat
It is a good family friendly restaurant x
I love pizza so much – I need to get down to Pizza Hut this summer 🙂
I think you should the new menu is great!
Pizza Express is so much better than the other pizza chains I know of – it’s great you got to take your food home with you afterwards too!
I know, it was great as I hate wasting food x
I don’t eat at Pizza Express very often, but when I do go, I really enjoy it… especially the dough balls! The new menu looks delicious 🙂
They have done a good job with the new menu.
We have never been to a Pizza Express Their food looks lovely and anywhere that sells raspberry sorbet is a place for me!
The sorbet was delicious!!!! You must try it.
People give pizza a bad rap but it can be a healthy food choice when done carefully with a thought to eating just enough of it with a salad on the side and a small dessert. I like the one with arugula on top.
Pizza doesn’t have to be to unhealthy and these guys give you lighter options too.
everything looks so fresh and yummy, can’t wait to go soon!
You will love it, enjoy your meal Chichi.
I have never been to a pizza express?! I have to say seeing all the delicious food in your post and the variety they have to offer, I would certainly add them to my “eats” list.
Enjoy Katrina I am sure you will enjoy the food.
Love Pizza Express – such quality pizzas – something for everyone.
They are yummy I went again last night and had a pizza, yum!!! 😉
Well now I’m lovely and hungry! I love that place !