Pizzaexpress - Manchester

I called in this branch of Pizza Express while in the area hoping to get the most out of my Tastecard discount I got with the Times, which is quite a cool offer avaliable Sunday-Thursday at all branches of Pizza Express, but not in December, so despite limitations it is a good offer if you're just spending the meal with one other person, as you only get one lot of 2 per one per tastecard. Anyway, back to the main review. This Pizza Express store is in a good location in central Manchester, fairly close to both Deansgate and Spinningfields in the city center. One thing I like about Pizza Express, which stands out to the likes of Zizzi, Ask Italian and Bella Itallia on the gluten free-front, is despite they all offer gluten free pizza, Pizza Express have a great range of starters, including dough balls for £3.75 which were only recently added to the menu. The staff at this branch were friendly, and helped me get directions and seemed to carefully help to help me get here from Spinningfields over the phone, and the serve inside the restaurant was good too, even though it seemed there was only one waiter and the manager was also working, but kept going in and out. This Pizza Express store is over 3 floors, with a sort of bar area on the bottom floor and toilets on the higher floor, which is good for parties, and events, and of course on the standard floor most people sit and come in, in, you can watch the chefs cook your meal, which is typical of any branch of Pizza Express. I started by ordering a starter, I tried the Dough Balls with cheese and garlic butter, I found them to taste quite nice with a great portion of cheese, and they only charged me for regular dough balls, which saved 30p but they would have ended up being free regardless with my Tastecard discount, and my friend ordering the garlic bread which was a little bit more expensive. I also enjoyed a Watermelon drink from the specials menu, which although a little pricey was good value compared to the rest of the drinks, and that it was fresh with a mint leaf in the top. For my main course, I had an American pizza. The tomato sauce on it and the cheese was quite nice, and overall I did enjoy my pizza, and in parts it had a good juicy bite from where it had been cooked, but in some areas the pepperoni was not as enjoyable and it did taste in need of more flavor, a little dry, a little plain. Overall, this is a really nice branch of Pizza Express and out of Pizza Express branches I have visited, is defiantly in the top 3 alongside the branch in the Corn Exchange, and for ease and quality of service, it is probably the better branch in Manchester, and as far as chains go, it is quite a nice place to eat and defiantly warrants 4 stars.

I don't eat at Pizza Express very often as I prefer the diversity of independent eateries but I came here for a work function and they have a good sized room for a group of about 15 20. The lighting is almost like an office though, and makes it look a bit old fashioned, would be nice if they could update it in line with the rest of the restaurant. I got excited about the food pork and pancetta croquettes and sprout and pancetta pizza (yes, I ordered 2 things with pancetta in them). The croquettes were really underwhelming, especially considering Manchester's best croquettes are literally a few metres away in La Bandera. They weren't crispy and were served with an apple stuffing when they needed something with more punch (or to have more punch themselves). The pizza was fine but was cold. The house pinot grigio we ordered was nice (I extensively tested it). Desserts were good the honeycomb cheesecake type thing was admittedly very sweet but I personally loved it. Decent tiramisu as well.

I have been to various different Pizza Express restaurants but most recently went to this Pizza Express. Its got some competition from other Italian restaurants such as Jamie's Italian and Rosso (the restaurant owned by Rio Ferdinand). I have not been to either of these restaurants so dont know how they compare. Anyway, whenever I have been to Pizza Express I have never had a disappointing pizza. Its got a wide range of different pizzas as well as pastas, calzones and salads. The last time I went I had the Pollo ad Astra my favourite topping on pizza is probably chicken based. I am actually not a massive fan of pepperoni so don't often get a pizza with it on. One thing about Pizza Express is that they almost always have some sort of offer on. I have checked their web site and the deals are currently including 2 for 1 Wednesday, 30% off bill, starter and main for £11.95. Check their web site before you visit. You need to fill in a form and you get a code.

I came to Pizza Express just before Christmas with some work colleagues, and ordered in advance from their Christmas set menu 3 courses and a glass of Prosecco for £19.95. I do like pizza express, and have been many times in the past. Their food is good, i quite like their pizzas and salads too. This Pizza Express restaurant on King St is pretty new and because of this the decor inside is modern and everything is neatly laid out. It looks just like any other Pizza Express restaurant that you may visit anywhere in the UK. I ordered, to start, the Pork Pancetta Croquettes Pulled pork belly, pancetta, cheddar and basil croquettes breaded and baked, served with a spiced arrabbiata sauce. These were OK, if not a little bland and also not as piping hot as i would have liked. For my main course i had the Anatra Romana pizza which consisted of pulled duck, shredded courgette, red onion and mozzarella on a light plum hoisin sauce finished with rocket and fresh spring onion. This was OK too if not a little bit too heavy on the rocket. My dessert was the Mince Pie Cheesecake. A special dessert just for their Christmas menu. This was a rum soaked fruit and clotted cream cheesecake on a crumbly shortbread biscuit base. It was fab. It tasted like a mince pie but also like a cheesecake. It confused my brain and i loved it. Overall, Pizza Express is OK if you're looking for a lunch time meal although there are better Italian restaurants in Manchester for not much more than you would pay here.

After a heavy night drinking at the Christmas party on Thursday, we needed something special for Friday lunch. After much talk of everything from Thai food to Subway, we (eventually) decided to go for Pizza Express. We were seated upstairs upon request by my manager and left with our menus. Everything went completely downhill from here it was quite literally the slowest service I have ever received! With only two servers on the whole of the top floor, which included at least two large parties, we felt very neglected throughout the meal. Even when asked if everything was okay, it was completely in passing, as if the waiter had no time for us either way. The food, however, was of a good standard. Dough balls and cheesy garlic bread (carbs were desperately called for) followed by a chicken, red onion and chilli pizza. It sorted me out for a few hours, before the hangover really kicked in! Overall, I expected better and was left feeling dissapointed. I thought Pizza Express would have it sorted by now.