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PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED

67 replies

EmmaMumsnet · 21/07/2016 14:03

This feedback thread is for the 50 Mumsnetters who recently visited PizzaExpress restaurants with their family.

Here’s what PizzaExpress has to say: ‘Ever since 1965 when our founder, Peter Boizot, opened our first restaurant in Soho, the same PizzaExpress values of great food, evocative music, and distinctive design have remained in our DNA. This is one recipe we’ve never changed, and today we take the same pride in offering great hospitality and unforgettable experiences.’

Please post your feedback on your family experience at PizzaExpress and you will be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher.

Please answer these questions below, but also feel free to add your own comments:

  1. What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?
  2. What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?
  3. What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
  4. Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?
  5. Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

    Thank you for taking part in the product test and good luck with the prize draw!

    MNHQ

    Insight T&Cs apply
PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
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GardenWorm · 22/07/2016 10:18
  1. What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?
    You really feel welcome as a family. There's no tutting, frowning, evil looks from the other customers or staff - to be fair we did go at 5pm so everyone else had children with them but the staff seem to cope well with all the kids!


  2. What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?
    The toilets let the restaurant down and as DC enjoyed checking them out 3 times...

  3. What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
    We didn't get an ice age pack but what we got kept them entertained


  4. Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?
    Definitely for families, the children's meals are good value at £7 for 3 courses. I'd say adults should go later in the evening to avoid the kids! If you fish around there's usually a discount code and the food is nice, not amazing food but good for what you pay.

  5. Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?
    Yes definitely.
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GardenWorm · 22/07/2016 10:22

...should have added we found out when we went to pay that the gift card was empty. Slightly embarrassing but it has since been resolved and I've been impressed with their customer service.

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VilootShesCute · 22/07/2016 13:06

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

Great welcome and good offers on.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

Faster service if anything, but it was fine. Children complained because they were starving but that's my fault for not booking table 'til 7:30pm!

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

Dd liked it but more interested in food.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes because they are good with the children and my dd loved the chefs hat! There's always a deal online to print out to get a discount too.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Absolutely.

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VilootShesCute · 22/07/2016 13:07

gardenworm same thing happened to us at till. They sorted it eventually though!

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GardenWorm · 22/07/2016 20:27

We were clearly too eager for the pizza Viloot!

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Poppiesway · 23/07/2016 15:25

Picked my vouchers up from post office last night. Looking forward to going tomorrow. It's both mine and ds2's birthday treat :)

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shartsi · 23/07/2016 20:10

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

I went to Pizza express Brentwood with my family. We were warmly received by staff and immediately seated at a nicetable with a view of the street so we could people watch. The tables were not so close together so there was room for the baby buggy.

We all enjoyed our meal which we did not have too wait long for. Baby fussed a bit but no one gave us any disapproving glances.

The staff were very friendly and even took an interest in the baby.

The kids enjoyed colouring their pictures.

The music was nice and not loud.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family
experience at PizzaExpress?

The toilet was at the top of a spiral staircase. It was not easy for the kids to climb. If possible a downstairs toilet should be installed thought understand that it may not be possible to make the building adaptable.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
The kids love the pack and they are keen to win the trip to hollywood. They each drew and coloured an ice age character .

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?
I would recommend Pizza Express because it is reasonably priced and family friendly. At the time of our visit every table was occupied by a family with children.

The menu caters for all tastes and ages.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?
Yes

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Tanfastic · 23/07/2016 20:37
  1. What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

    Definitely the food! Everything was delicious. I ordered the mushroom bruschetta, pollo ad Astra pizza and even though I was stuffed, still found room for their Eton mess cheesecake. Ds had the kids meal with dough balls and pepperoni pizza. Everything was cooked to perfection.


  2. What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

    Toilets on the first floor. The toilets were up four flights of stairs and along a corridor. A bit of a pain for my mum who had sciatica and ds who is a lazy so and so at the best of times Confused. We also had a forty minute wait between courses which to be honest isn't unusual for the restaurant we ate in, every time I go there it's the same, never seems to have quite enough staff on.

  3. What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

    My ds didn't really take much notice of it, he was more interested in the original pack with the stickers, word searches etc.

  4. Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

    Yes I would recommend it but not at busy times like weekends as a forty minute wait between courses if you have under fives I'd imagine would be a bit fraught.

  5. Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

    Yes I would, it's pretty geared up for kids and very welcoming. My ds has in the past been invited up to make his own ice cream sundae etc which he is always thrilled by.
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StarfishandToffee · 23/07/2016 23:47
  1. What was the best thing about your visit to Pizza Express?


We were made to feel welcome, even without a reservation, on a busy Saturday night, with a large party upstairs.

  1. What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at Pizza Express?


My DD (11) was upset as there was no toilet paper in the toilet upstairs. We mentioned this to a member of staff who then pointed out the downstairs toilet/baby change in corner of restaurant. (To be fair it was a busy Saturday night).

  1. What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course pack?


My DD was kept entertained by the pack, while waiting for her pizza.

Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes I would recommend it. It was my sister's first visit to Pizza Express and she said her pizza was really nice.

  1. Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family restaurant?


Yes, but not just for families.
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StarfishandToffee · 24/07/2016 00:24

can I add that I think a Pizza Express gift card would be a welcome gift😀

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Lovewatchingrainfall · 24/07/2016 13:32

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

The best thing had to be the food and the AMAZING Sicilian Lemonade. It was also amazing to go out with the family and have a lovely relaxed meal.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

i would label on the menu what was diary free as this did cause a bit of a problem but was sorted quickly

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
She loved the colouring in and hinting for the dough balls. was a very good pack.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

100% i would recommend. Our daughter wanted the ice cream but could not due to allergies but the staff went above and beyond and changed the ice cream for raspberry sorbet and was totally amazed when it came out. Even though it was quiet as it was lunchtime and had not been open long they were not to pushy and were around when we needed them and answered any questions we had.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?
yes it has something for everyone. however i would not maybe take a toddler who does not eat loads as the portions are big and would feel like a waste of money.

Have added a few pictures sorry if it makes you feel hungry

PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED
PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED
PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED
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SoThisisMe · 24/07/2016 15:39

What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

The food was delicious, very fresh and tasty. Service was friendly if a little slow, however we went on Saturday evening and it was quite busy with a large birthday party in so understandable.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

The ladies loo whilst passable was messey and needed a bin and another hand dryer.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

They didn't get an Ice Age pack ( not sure why as other children there had them) but enjoyed the pack they did get which had lots of stickers and a word search.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

I would as the food is nice and I've seen good deals.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Yes definitely, the branch we went to (Sutton Coldfield) was full of families and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

We really enjoyed it, thank you.

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OnMyShoulders · 24/07/2016 17:58

DH and I went to the Edinburgh Queensferry Street restaurant with DD14, DD12, DS9, DS7 and DD3.

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

The food! It was ALL delicious and there were clean plates all round. Even fussy DD3 ate her food! The kids meals in particular were presented really well.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

The kids menu was great but a bit pricey. It would be good if it included a drink (or even better - free refills!). The DC loved the 'bambinoccino' though.

Accessibility isn't great and there wasn't space for buggies. The toilets are at the bottom of windy stairs which I fell down.

The restaurant was messy and a bit grubby.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

The enjoyed playing with it and it kept them busy. The retractable crayons, stickers and hats were big hits.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes. The food, service and atomosphere were good. Staff were busy but attentive. I thought it was quite expensive though. Our bill came to £100 for 4 x kids meals (with 1 drink each) and a pizza, dessert and soft drink x 3 for me, DH and DD14.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Yes. We had a lovely time together there as a family.

Thanks so much MN and Pizza Express.

PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED
PizzaExpress Feedback Thread - See what MNers and their DCs think of PizzaExpress restaurants NOW CLOSED
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HungryHorace · 24/07/2016 19:15

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

They were really accommodating to us and the kids and gave my 3 year old daughter an extra cone to have with her ice cream, which was brilliant customer service.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

I wouldn't make any. It was very welcoming, accommodating and they were really helpful and understood kids.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

They were too young to appreciate it was Ice Age, but the stickers and colouring kept them busy while they were waiting.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Definitely recommend. Really tasty, filling food and the price (if we were paying) was good, especially the kids' menu.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

I would. We have no complaints.

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FurryTurnip · 24/07/2016 20:35
  1. What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?


The staff were extremely welcoming and very accommodating to all of us, but especially DS (4). There was a children's party going on in the restaurant and he noticed other children wearing chefs hats and playing with dough- he asked if he could have some to play with and staff were more than happy to give him some and made a real fuss over him.

  1. What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?


My DS has a very small appetite, and didn't want the full three courses of the Piccolo menu. It would be good to have more flexibility with the kids menu, so they can order just one or two courses rather than either pay a lot and food get wasted. Though saying that, he would happily live on dough balls for the rest of his life....

  1. What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?


We didn't get one, but he was engaged with the other pack for a few minutes then enjoyed colouring in his paper hat.

  1. Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?


Yes I definitely would. The food is good quality and reasonably priced. Love some of the new additions to the menu, the Superfood salad is gorgeous. It is excellent for families with children.

  1. Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?


Most definitely. Staff are always very welcoming and friendly to children. It's one of the few places where you can relax with young children and know you won't get dirty looks if they are a bit noisy or messy. Grandparents also joined us for the meal, had never been before, and they really enjoyed it and were very impressed with staff.

Thanks for the voucher, we had a lovely meal!
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Poppiesway · 24/07/2016 22:28

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?
The pizza! I had the leggera padana which was delicious. The goats cheese and caramelised onion was gorgeous. I would love this as a whole pizza.. Not just as a leggera!!
Ds1 had the adults American with ds2 having the children's menu size American pizza. For pudding I had a desert I'd not seen there before; the honeycomb cream slice. Was lovely. Ds1 had the chocolate glory which was massive with ds2 having honey dew melon. Ds2 used to have a milk protein allergy and although he can now eat dairy products he won't eat them for fear of being poorly.. So he was very pleased with the melon!!

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?
We ate at The Forum in Norwich which is a lovely setting. Great views and atmosphere. However we were seated on the faux leather benches which were sticky and hot. It was warm today and with the sun coming in at us through the massive glass front to the building, the seats absorbed the heat. Unfortunately I wore a dress today.. Which meant I stuck to the seats and got a free leg wax when I tried to move Hmm
The benches are nice but maybe a different material? That really was the only problem I had while we were in there.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
Ds2 was given an "ice age" piece of paper with quizzes and things on.. Was that the activity pack? I had a pen in my handbag for him to do the puzzles with and the find the difference. Otherwise we weren't given pencils or crayons to do the activity sheet with..

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?
Yes. The DC both enjoyed their meals, it's not too expensive and the food is lovely. I took my parents (in their 60's) with us so we could all celebrate both mine and ds2's birthday. Both my parents enjoyed their meals too.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?
Yes. The youngest in our party was 10 with the oldest being 64, all of us were happy. It wasn't particularly busy in there but I did see a young couple with a baby in the high chair which was provided for them.

Thankyou mumsnet for sending us the gift voucher, we really did have a great time testing the menu out and with ds2 thinking he was a special restaurant inspector for the day. He was pleased when the waitress discussed the ice age spot the differences with him, he was convinced there were 7 (not 6) and she agreed with him and promised to tell her manager he had made a mistake and ds2 was right. He was most happy about that!

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KeepOnPlodding · 24/07/2016 23:35

Thank you very much for the voucher. We went out for tea after a busy weekend and it was really appreciated.

  1. What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

    We loved the service and the food. DH still maintains that he can't get a better pizza anywhere else (and he's pretty fussy!) The staff were great and had just the right balance between leaving us alone to eat and making sure that everything was OK.

  2. What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

    The Pizza Express that we visited is next to a cinema so to be honest there wasn't a lot of atmosphere as most people seemed to be eating quickly either before/after a film. They had also run out of fresh orange and apple juice. DS would like to see a ham and pineapple pizza on the children's menu.

  3. What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

    DS really liked it. There was plenty to do and it kept him busy until the food arrived. The restaurant seemed to be short of pens/crayons so I had to find him a pen to complete it. Again, that could have been improved but wasn't a big deal.

  4. Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

    Definitely. The food is great and we couldn't fault anything we had. The staff were very good and the restaurant was full of families having an enjoyable evening.

  5. Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

    Yes - see above. The children's menu seems to work well and you don't feel that there is a trade off between good food and family friendly.

    Thank you again for the voucher.
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Comingfoccacia · 25/07/2016 04:49

I visited Pizza Express in Roundhay, Leeds with my dts aged 8. It was a fitting time for a treat as they are off to DH's home country on Wednesday for 4 weeks without me and they also had good school reports. DH couldn't join us as he was finishing off the decorating but we took him a takeaway home.
1: the best thing about our visit was the food. We loved our pizzas. DTS enjoyed watching the chefs in action and even got a high five from one of them. The staff were lovely too.
2: We have used the Piccolo menu in the past but it is now not enough for my growing twins! So perhaps an older child option? And child options for desserts if ordering from main menu
3: DTD was absorbed in her pack and entered the competition. DTS was more interesting in observing his surroundings
4: We would definitely recommend Pizza Express. It is hassle free dining with great food. Plus there are usually offers on to make it a cost effective treat
5: Yes, it is very much a family friendly restaurant. Great menu options with good flexibility and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.

We had a lovely time. The children were over the moon and DH welcomed his takeaway pizza. Thank you for the voucher

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WarmHugs · 25/07/2016 10:09

I visited with my DH, DD (6) and DS (5)

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

The food was really quick, and was delicious.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

I think the staff could do with more training. There were 5 or 6 milling about by the kitchen doing nothing, but we couldn't catch their attention. When we asked for a jug of water, it took 10 minutes, even though we watched the waiter standing there doing nothing. DC just wanted a drink! Also, the staff didn't even speak to my DC, they would just direct the questions to the adults.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

We didn't get one. We got some broken crayons and a different sheet.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

No, I don't think so. Food was nice, service wasn't great and prices were more expensive than other brands.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Not unfriendly, but plenty of other restaurants just seem to manage it better.

Thank you for choosing us though. We still have some money left on the card, so will visit a different branch to see if we can get the Ice Age activity pack!

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Auroborea · 25/07/2016 16:53

Thank you very much for the gift card. DH, DS (8), DD (6) and I visited the Guildford branch on Friday night, without booking, and were seated immediately. We ordered two children's menus (great value for three courses at £7 per head), and for the adults dough balls to share as a starter, two Romana pizzas, a chocolate brownie, and a Chocolate Glory. I tried the special watermelon, strawberry and mint drink (quite nice, but tasted more syrupy than fresh), the children had apple juice, and we also had a jug of water for the table. We whole experience took two hours, and we went a few pounds over the £60 on our gift card.

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

The dough balls! These were included in the children's menu and absolutely amazing - freshly-baked, hot, and altogether delicious. The garlic butter that accompanied them was perfect too, and the vegetables included in the children's portions were fresh and tasty. The dough balls disappeared without a trace, and the kids immediately proceeded to beg for more. They even tried to persuade us to take extra portions away at the end of the meal!


2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

Less noise would be great. The music and other background noise was so loud that we sometimes struggled to hear the waiter!

I would love to be able to order pizza in a choice of sizes. I prefer the thin and crispy Romana crust, but the pizza was enormous, so I ended up taking half away. The plates were not big enough to accommodate the pizzas, which were overhanging the sides and made the pizza cutters provided difficult to use on the edges. I would also appreciate a greater choice of pasta dishes. Additionally, I am fussy about tap water and would prefer filtered water as default table water option.

The children complained that their main course portions (Pizza Margherita and Spaghetti Bolognese) were too small (and they are not huge eaters), however they were both full by the end of the meal. DS suggested having a kids' menu compiled entirely of dough balls as a potential improvement, but I am not sure this would pass as a balanced diet! Both children would have loved more choice of juices though (e.g. mango or peach), and freshly-pressed juices (as opposed to juices out of a carton) would have earned more bonus points from me.

DH's rather radical suggestion for improvement is to rebrand under a different name - he is still under a sway of bad childhood memories of tasteless PizzaExpress pizza from the 1980s, and says he would be much more enthusiastic about going back if the restaurant were called something else!


3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

The children were given Your Piccolo Activity Packs rather than Ice Age ones, but these were brilliant - possibly the best activity packs we have come across anywhere. The packs contained a great range of activities and levels of challenge, and kept the children occupied throughout the gaps in the meal - they even took the packs home and finished them off the next day.


4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes, it's worth visiting just for the dough balls! The pizzas are surprisingly good by UK standards, and the puddings are delicious. The service is reasonably quick and the food is good value for money. There is a good range of non-meat options. Gluten-free menu choices are clearly marked, and pizzas can be made using gluten-free dough.


5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Yes, the presence of activity packs is normally a good indication that kids are welcome, as are kids' menus. The activity packs were great as noted above, and the kids' menus were great value for money. I would just turn the music down a bit.


Overall, our combined family rating of the experience is 8 out of 10 - well done, PizzaExpress!

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redbook · 25/07/2016 20:38

We visited Pizza Express in Greenwich on Sunday afternoon.

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?
This was the first time I have taken my DS aged 3 to PizzaExpress. We eat out regularly with him but I have never been a fan of PizzaExpress for myself, so never thought to go there. However, I thoroughly enjoyed our meal out and would now definitely consider going there again.
The best thing was the staff – they were excellent with my DS. We encourage him to order for himself and I often get conscious that waiting staff may not have the time to wait for him to speak. In our visit to PizzaExpress, the waitress spoke directly to him, was patient and joked with him, and even picked him up to take him to see the chefs making the pizza. DS loved his meal.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?
The children’s menu is dough balls to start, then pizza or pasta for main. So if you want pizza for main, you have double dough. My son had the dough balls and pasta (which he loved both of), but if hi choice was pizza for main, I would have preferred a different starter.
That said, the dough balls were great, and they came with a little salad which was freshly prepared. So often in chain restaurants the side salad is a limp bit of salad which was made hours ago – so I was pleasantly surprised by this.
Children’s menus in restaurants are normally a disappointment with the same old choices. PizzaExpress’s menu does fall into that category, but it is a pizza restaurant (so can be forgiven) and the food was well executed.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
We got a sheet of paper with some activities on it and some stickers – DS loved the stickers but was a bit young for the activities. However, I wouldn’t call it an activity pack, as that suggests bits and pieces with different things to do.
4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?
Yes I would. Out of all the chains I have eaten in with DS, this is one of the best. I just hope that next time I go the staff are as lovely.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?
Having taken part in this product test, yes I would. Before this, probably I wouldn’t have thought much about it.

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SavoyCabbage · 25/07/2016 21:04

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?
My children were so excited to be going out to Pizza Express. The best thing was the food. It was really good.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?
When we arrived there was a part of the bar area with dough and rolling pins, on. We didn't find out what it was for. If you could make your own pizzas there or just play with the dough. It wasn't explained to us and I wanted to ask but as the owner of a twelve year old....I was forbidden. My younger child would definitely have liked to gave a go at this and would have ordered accordingly if we had known what was happening.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?
They loved it. In fact we could hardly get them to look at the menus because they were inventing pizzas for sabre toothed tigers. There were lovely sharp Crayola Twistables to use.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?
Yes I would. Especially as the children's menu is a good price.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?
We went at 7pm on a Sunday night and every table had a child. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The decor was bright and welcoming with lots to look at.

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MakeTeaNotWar · 25/07/2016 21:17

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

Convenient location, able to seat our party of 5 without reservation on an extremely busy Sunday afternoon. Safe nature ie you know what you're going to get. Reliably family-friendly.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

Service was slow - I appreciate it was extremely busy but a 35 minute wait from placing order to food arriving with an easily bored 3 and 5 year old was too long. Also the toilets were down a steep spiral staircase, not easy to manage with 2 small children.


3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

Yes they loved it and it kept them busy. They really want to see the movie now.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes the children's menu is very good value, plenty of food and feels like a special treat for the kids. Staff were upbeat and friendly. Our pizzas were delicious.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Yes and it is apparent that families do enjoy it judging my the number of children there.

Thank you very much for the voucher, it was a lovely treat that we all enjoyed very much

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silverlace · 25/07/2016 21:55

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

We really enjoyed the food. There was a good choice and it was cooked perfectly. The staff were polite without being too familiar.

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

A menu for older children would be good. My two, who are 11 and 10, found the children's portions too small but a standard pizza would have been too big for them to eat. The children's menu is great value for money and is good quality food in small portions, not the usual fish fingers and nuggets generally found on children's menus

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

We weren't given them and did not see any Ice Age materials in the restaurant.

4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes definitely. It is great value for the children. They get good quality food just like the adults and even get a babycinno at the end of the meal.They really feel like they are in a proper grown up restaurant.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Yes it is. The menu has good choices, children get an activity pack and I noticed there were several highchairs.

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BellsaRinging · 26/07/2016 06:43

1.What was the best thing about your visit to PizzaExpress?

It was great to go somewhere to eat that caters for children without compromising on the quality of the adults food-there are a lot of places that are good for children but you don't really fancy anything on the menu yourself!

2.What improvements, if any, would you make from your family experience at PizzaExpress?

It has already been suggested upthread (silverlace) that the children' menu would be good in a 'bigger children' size as well. My 5 yo was more than satisfied with his meal, but the 11 yo had a piece of my pizza (and would have had more if he could!)-he is a total gannet, though.

On a personal note (well for ds as well) there was only one pizza with anchovies on...last year there was a most delicious one with anchovies and also a four seasons-we loved them both and the four seasons is always a good sharing option. I asked for anchovies to be added to mine and was unimpressed with the amount added-it is no exaggeration to say that there were only eight pieces (not whole fish) on a Romana pizza, and you couldn't really taste them. We are unusually fond of anchovies, though!

We had a choice of offers. I was unimpressed with the taste card offer-it was no better than what you can get on line for free.

3.What did your DCs think of the Ice Age: Collision Course activity pack?

We got the usual piccolo pack, and an additional sheet re:Ice Age. The Piccolo pack kept them entertained more than the Ice Age sheet tbh, but they did look at the Ice Age one. Generally the packs are great at keeping the little one entertained-the older one looks but generally thinks himself above such things!

On that note-the 5yo has just finished Reception and can't read much so things like the word search were pretty lost on him. He loves the puzzles-find the difference and the onions and count them. For him he would like it all to be puzzles/finding things and counting. Neither child was interested in the arty stuff, and therefore the competition was lost on them (not in a bad way-they just had no interest in it despite attempts at encouragement). If it had been story-writing (or joke writing-I was subjected to many attempts at joke writing over the course of the evening) the 11 yo would have had a go at home, or a puzzle to solve and enter they both would have given it a try.

The Ice Age films never really excited mine, so that was probably the reason for some of the lack of interest. On another day with another franchise they would no doubt have been more interested or with more puzzles or dinosaur facts.


4.Would you recommend PizzaExpress to a friend or family member and why?

Yes-I had many happy lunch hours in PE at my previous work. What is good about it is that it's a dependable restaurant in terms of quality, and in towns where there are limited options to eat you can usually find a PE and its often a good option. Until recently in Coventry city centre, for example it was the only really decent place that was also reasonably priced if you were looking for lunch. As a chain it is a good one and the standard seems to be good country wide.

5.Would you consider PizzaExpress to be a family friendly restaurant?

Yes, definitely. The children are welcomed, but they aren't allowed to become intrusive-I would also be happy to eat there without them. Although it was the summer holiday and there were children you didn't get that slightly grubby feel that some restaurants get when a lot of children had been through it that day-iyswim?

The activity packs are better than I have seen at other restaurants and the staff are helpful and were nice to the children. Our changed their minds over drinks and it was no problem for the waiter, who was nice and obviously new-but he did a good job.

Generally-a good experience and one which we enjoyed as a family. We would go again, but it isn't a regular treat as it's quite expensive (obviously without the voucher-so thanks for that!).

I thought the drinks on offer for the adults were great. I was not drinking and the raspberry lemonade was lovely and there were several drinks I was tempted by as a non-alcoholic adult drink. So often there is only coke and lemonade to choose from. DP needless to say liked the Peroni!

We went to Coventry restaurant near the Belgrade theatre.

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