Yes, I know, Pizza Express.
But before I start, do you remember previous posts where I discussed a food poisoning incident involving a chain?
Where I stopped off for a swift dinner before heading to a performance of Madama Butterfly, that was then cut short – so short that I missed the (spoiler alert) suicide scene? I had to apologise to my friends, shuffle past fellow viewers during the most intense scene of the opera, cause a lady to wake her husband (not an opera fan apparently) and run to the ladies to projectile vomit.
That was three years ago. And this was my first visit to any Pizza Express since.
True, this was not the venue that caused me to be ill. I know it’s ridiculous and common sense tells me not to be so silly, but I’m not sure I can go back to that one.
Even stepping in this one made me a little uncomfortable initially. It’s strange the way the human psyche works sometimes. I knew I was going into a different venue, different staff, different food even, and still butterflies danced in my tummy.
Stupid.
To ease my discomfort, we called on a little Dutch courage in the form of their new Hugo “PizzaExpress” – Prosecco with elderflower, fresh mint and lemon. Light and sweet, this is a perfect summer starter and with a small platter of olives, I was soon feeling more comfortable and less uncertain.
Keeley and I have been getting a little concerned about our waistlines recently – my appetite post marathon has remained the same, despite my exercise lessening, whereas she has a trip of a lifetime planned across the USA. So the new summer menu suits us perfectly, lots of salads, light pizzas in the form of an expansion of their Leggera range and some lighter dessert options.
When it comes to starters, there’s only really one lighter option, the Leggera Panzanella. Given that I was aiming for a salad as my main, Keeley had this option, so I could ‘test’ myself with something more doughy.
The Panzanella ‘PizzaExpress’ is perfect for summer, lots of cucumber, tomato and red onion, a big kick of black pepper and croutons. Though less bread heavy than the original version, it still looks terribly pretty and I don’t think you’d feel like you were missing out by having this as a starter.
As mentioned though, I wanted to sample something doughy – given that pizza was the only item I ate before the, er, episode.
I selected the Bruschetta Con Funghi – as ever in Pizza Express, not bruschetta how I’d imagine it, I still have the picture in my head of toasted sliced bread, tomatoes and olive oil. This mushroom bruschetta involves a freshly baked piece of dough, white sauce, mushrooms, parsley and balsamic vinegar.
The dough was lovely, soft, nicely chewy. I think I was disappointed with my choice of topping, I should have gone for the tomato version, button mushrooms in a white sauce are always going to be drowned out a bit by balsamic, but I’m always hampered by my dislike of fresh tomatoes. Maybe one day I’ll conquer this dislike.
Onto our mains and my Salmon Leggera Salad – a perfect dish for the warm weather. Salmon, salad leaves, roasted red peppers, avocado, cucumber, roasted baby onions, dressed with parsley and lemon juice.
Crisp salad, creamy avocado, sweetness from the roasted vegetables and that rich delicious roasted salmon made the kind of salad you can happily eat every day, and as well as being healthier than my starter, it was also a great antidote to the heaviness of it.
Keeley, however had no such qualms about indulging in pizza, especially the Pollo Ad Astra – mozzarella, chicken, pepperdew peppers, garlic oil and red onions – as it’s another from the Leggera range.
The centre section of pizza base is removed and instead a salad takes up that space, taking it from 759 calories down to 500 calories.
Onto dessert and we both headed over to the summer menu again, where the Strawberry and Cream Glory caught my eye. Though yes, this was naughtier than my main, my mind had drifted to Wimbledon and thoughts of strawberries and cream.
This gorgeous gelato with fresh strawberries, double cream, fresh mint and a sugar curl certainly hit the spot, even though it was rather on the naughty side. I’m not entirely sure about the double cream as it solidifies in the sundae and emerges as little chunks, but the gelato was lovely and you can’t go wrong with fresh strawberries and mint.
Keeley on the other hand had taken the lighter Lemon and Blueberry Glory and made it naughty by adding Limoncello.
Bad Keeley.
Her sundae was however far lighter than mine, so I can forgive her a shot of the sweet lemon booze – particularly as it went perfectly with the lemon sorbet, fresh blueberries, coulis and chocolate straw.
How could I argue?
So, Pizza Express. I braved you. I rather like your new menu and, let’s be honest, when out with fussy family or friends, it is as with most chains a safe bet for consistency and fussy faces.
I’m just rather sad it’s taken me 3 years to visit you again.
This meal was paid for by Pizza Express – though our drinks were not.