Historical version 1 of Pizza Express, SE1 9QQ (view current version)

  • 020 7407 2995
  • Bridge House, 4, Borough High St, London, , SE1 9QQ
  • Mon-Sat 11.30am-Midnight, Sun 11.30am-11.30pm

Pizza Express is a standard chain menu, usually in large spaces and with lots of tables you you seldom if ever have to wait. The menu contains your standard Italian style menu - lots of different pizzas, but some salads and pasta dishes and the usual bread-based side dishes like garlic bread and bruchetta. The house red is a cheap, reasonable plonk and the deserts menu has lots of yummy, ice-cream and chocolate based yum. The menu is here: http://www.pizzaexpress.com/MainMenu.pdf

I wouldn't normally think of reviewing a chain place like Pizza Express, except that going here was the bizarrest dining experience in recent memory. Sean ordered some chicken pizza I can't remember (and which spurned my usual 'chicken doesn't go on pizza rant) and I had the Giardinlera which had asparagus, artichokes, mushrooms, red peppers and Santos tomatos on a sauce of tomato and pesto. I asked for the pizza to be without mushrooms and when it arrived, I cut into it to find a mushroom slice. I have a real fear and loathing of mushroom so I asked for it be taken away. The server took the pizza and there was a little conference over it, then she returned it and said 'that's an artichoke'.

Now, I'm not exactly a rocket scientist but I assure you I can tell the difference between a mushroom and an artichoke. So I cut furhter into the pizza and lo and behold, more mushrooms.

They did fast-track my non-mushroom pizza but I wasn't overly impressed. Also, we were sitting right next the fridge with all the beverages and Sean had to ask at least 3 times for another fizzy pop even though it was right there.

Finally - as the server took away our empty dishes, Sean was sure he heard her say 'All finsihed? Well done, guys!' Er, thanks mum, now can we have pudding? In fact we did have pudding, Chocolate Glory, a vanilla ice-cream brownie sunday with chocolate gloop and chocolate pieces.

Good food, bizarre service, fairly cheap, basic chain decor and menu.

This is version 1 (as of 2007-11-12 09:29:37). View current version.