It has been over six months since I last set foot in a Pizza Express, so I was keen to sample their new dishes for the Summer of 65 menu as they enter into their 50th year. With even more low calorie options, sharing starters, salads and delectable desserts- they enter into summer with a light and fresh choice of meals for its customers.
Pizza Express
The restaurant is located in The Orient within the Trafford Centre and offers the sights and sounds of an authentic Italian restaurant. It gives you the impression of being seated outside in an Italian square among the tall stone walls decorated with large posters. The shutters on the upper levels are adorned with plants to give the illusion that someone lives there and is about to throw them open to soak up the sunshine. It is wonderfully atmospheric and you forget when you really are when you dine there.
We were greeted by the manager Giggi, which made a lovely touch and served by Izzie who showed us to our seats and brought us some drinks. I must recommend the Raspberry Lemonade for a thirst quenching accompaniment to your meal- however if you are like me you will enjoy it so much you will have to order another!
We started with the new Fresella. A ball of premium buffalo mozzarella is placed in the centre of a ring of Pizza Express' famous pizza dough, which is then topped with fresh tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
It was ideal for us as a couple, as I can't eat cheese- so my partner got to enjoy all the buffalo mozzarella, while I filled up on the warm, herby dough, ripe, sweet tomatoes and rocket smothered in balsamic vinegar. The perfect starter for those who like to negotiate different elements of a dish! Presented on a slate, you simply dig in with this dish, it's messy and unapologetic- so don't be self-conscious and just enjoy. And because it is a pizza base, it's not overly filling like some bread based starters can be. For our mains my partner braved the America Hottest; Pizza Express' hottest pepperoni pizza to date, with both pepperoni and 'nduja sausage, as well as plenty of chillies. It's finished with the finest buffalo mozzarella. Don't be fooled- pizzas can give curries a run for their money! If you like your lips to tingle after every mouthful then this is the one for you. The mozzarella offers creamy relief from the heat of the pizza, making it the perfect combination of spicy with and mild to take the edge off. We ordered some Coleslaw; Red & white cabbage, carrot, onion and parsley in a creamy horseradish mayonnaise with black pepper with it, which my husband said was the perfect accompaniment to cool everything down between mouthfuls.
I had the Pollo Verdure: Warm chicken and mixed vegetables in a honey and mustard dressing served on a bed of spinach and rocket with balsamic syrup, a wedge of lemon and warm dough sticks. The dressing was light and didn't overpower the salad and chicken as so often a sauce akin to this does. It drizzled over the leaves and meat to give it a wetness and tanginess and there was just enough to dip your dough sticks into. An excellent choice if you are watching your waistline. We shared a side of Polenta Chips; Italian polenta chips with rosemary, oven baked and finished with Gran Milano cheese, served with a honey and mustard dressing dip. A long standing side dish at Pizza Express and it's easy to taste why- a unique alternative to fries- they are bursting with flavour and crumbly texture.
Izzie made recommendations as we pondered over the large choice from the new menu and gave her personal endorsement of the Eton Mess Cheesecake; strawberry swirled cheesecake on a crumbly biscuit base topped with whole pieces of meringue. My partner was in total agreement with her after eating the whole thing without offering me any! Again the rich, coolness of the dessert was just what he needed to end his meal- an inventive Italian twist on the classic British dessert.
I had the Primo Gelato; Two scoops of our extra creamy Gelato. You could choose from two flavours; Coconut Passion: coconut Gelato with a swirl of passionfruit coulis or Raspberry Ripple: clotted cream Gelato with a swirl of raspberry coulis, shortbread and meringue pieces. I would advise you to sample one of each as they are both equally indulgent. As a Malibu lover, personally, the coconut was my favourite of the two and it made me think of holidays so it was a clear contender for first place.
Overall, I was very impressed by the new Summer of 65 menus, and would urge you to drop in next time you are at the Trafford Centre or indeed near any other branches around the UK of Pizza Express for a little slice of Italy, if you can't afford the plane ticket!
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Tagged in Manchester