Pizza Express Impresses

When out with my Smidge and his younger brother we decided to get some pizza. We needed a place that had nut-free options and could assure that the our food was prepared in a nut-free zone, otherwise a hospital visit would be required.

Having no food allergies myself, I never realised until recently how much it can impact on your life until today. We visited numerous pizza restaurants in University Quarter in Belfast but had no luck. Staff did not know whether the food contained nuts, and even more worryingly a chef didn't even know, saying 'I couldn't assure if it's nut-free or not'.

After trying a few different places, we tried Pizza Express on Bedford Street (25 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EJ). We quickly scanned the menu outside and it was great to see that they included dietary information. Encouraged to see this, we asked inside. The staff were fantastic; the waitress double checked with the kitchen staff and the chef about our nut query.

It was all systems go. We went inside and were quickly seated. First impressions were great, the restaurant was spacious (a lot bigger inside than I thought it would be from the outside)and was well layed out. Simplistic, yet stylishly decorated with earthy colours and a vibrant menu!

You can choose from appetizers, mains and desserts. We skipped appetizers and went straight for mains. A great variety to choose from: pasta, pizzas and salads. We all ordered pizzas. Jay had a Margherita (Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato), I had an American (Mozzarella Cheese, Tomato and Pepperoni). I also added Mushrooms - I love my mushrooms!

Smidge ordered the 'Francesco Mazzei Calabrese'. This was the hottest pizza on the menu that originates from the food in Francesco Mazzei's hometown of Calabria. The pizza had spicy Calabrese Sausage, Hot Soft n'Duja Sausage, Fresh Red Chillies, Roquito Peppers, Red and Yellow Peppers, Baby Mozzarella, Rocket, Oregano and Grana Padano. Minus the Pesto due to it being nut-based. Check out their menu online! http://www.pizzaexpress.com/

The great thing was that we were also able to see the food being prepared and cooked due to the open kitchen. The staff were fantastic, the kitchen was completely disinfected before any of our orders were placed with the kitchen.

The food was quickly served too, although it was really quiet due to the weather. It was delicious, served at the perfect temperature. Hate when you get a meal and it's beyond piping hot and you have to drink a gallon of juice to cool down. Even worse if food is cold. We'd all get the food again, I even tried Smidge's spicy pizza (hey it's a girlfriends job to nibble at her boyfriends food. Ha). Pleasantly surprised, I thought I wouldn't have liked it as I'm not overely fussed on a lot of spice. It was more full of flavour instead of just 'heat'.

The pizzas were surprisingly filling for being thin based pizzas, I started to get a flump on. Whenever in Little Wing Smidge and I can sink a 24 inch easily between us, have dessert and still have room left. We were tempted by the dessert menu and got desserts also.

Jay had Chocolate Fudge Cake with Vanila Ice-Cream, Smidge had Banoffie Pie (Banana, Toffee, Cream with a Crumbly Biscuit Base). The Banoffee Pie had a good amount of fresh bananas incorporated into the dessert and the Chocolate desserts were amazing!

I had a dessert from the 'Dolcettit' range (a mini-dessert range). I choose the Brownie; I love chocolatey desserts! The Brownie was rich and had a nice texture to it - kind of biscuity. The brownie also came with tea or coffee; it was the perfect accompaniment.

Overall, a fantastic experience at Pizza Express. The staff were friendly, attentive and were so accommodating! The decor and ambiance was stylish and relaxed.






















The food was delicious and filling; it was also really reasonably priced for eating in a restaurant in the city centre...I'd highly recommend here if you have: a nut-allergy, gluten intolerance, are vegetarian or are even on a diet or trying to eat healthier (they have a range of healthy, low-calorie options). It was also really easy to understand the menu's dietary requirements and then make a choice.

They also offer a takeaway service and a party service. Great place to eat for everyone; whether it be a family meal out, lunch with friends or for a date.

Will definitely be back!

Any recommendations on restaurants that cater for dietary requirements?