Pizza Express, Sheffield

Location: Pizza Express, Sheffield City Centre
Time: 12.30approx
Score (out of 5): ****


There's always going to be one place you've never eaten. For me this was Pizza Express at the top of Division Street. It wasn't that I had been actively avoiding eating there, I'd just never managed to get round to it.

From the outside the restaurant looks inviting and pleasant. On entering my first thought was that there was a lot of tables for the relatively small space and they all seemed quite close together. J argued that I was just fussy but it's all in the details right?! Pizza Express doesn't play music but I actually found this nice, it allowed us to talk and enjoy the atmosphere created by a room filled with happy customers. The bar area is a dedicated corner which creates an open and inviting atmosphere when wanting a member of staff's attention and the staff never seem to be loitering or doing nothing in particular.
The tables were all set for the lunch service and whilst there were plenty of tables I noticed that a majority for group of four with a couple of larger table and only a couple set for two. As it was, the two of us ended up being seated by a member of the waiting team who was obviously a novice - he didn't do anything particularly wrong but his service certainly has room to improve! With three members of floor staff and one additional floor walker who seemed to be a member of the management team I can say we were well looked after. Service was quick and relaxed but suitably professional.
Rachel ordered the Pollo de Astra and I had the Etna (possibly the largest Pizza I've ever seen a man single handedly demolish! - Rachel). The food arrived quickly, was fresh and most importantly of all was delightful. I soon demolished my beautifully presented, giant, pizza whilst Rachel gradually worked her way through as much of hers as I could manage (3/4 of it - a new personal best for her). They were served fresh from the oven on plate sthe same size as them - I would have appreciated a larger plate but hey-ho! Although once we had finished our plates were cleared promptly and we never saw the last quarter of Rachel's pizza despite expecting for it to be returned in a little take-away box. Never fear after such a tasty meal I won't hesitate to visit again!
Best of all we weren't harassed by staff, although we were offered the dessert menu twice (a little mis/non-communication I think).

The establishment was tidy (despite feeling cramped to me) and mostly clean - a little left over confetti on the floor from a previous celebration and a dusty cross bar on one of the higher, bench style table but I can forgive them that. The atmosphere was pleasant and the staff well mannered and polite. One of my favourite elements of the service has to be that just as Rachel was finishing her glass of water one of the staff members brought over another - a great touch that showed that even during a service where there was a couple of larger groups the individual customers, of smaller groups, were still payed a high level of attention discretely.

All in all a great first experience of this food chain, great company, food and service lead me to give this branch a score of 4/5. This may seem high, and I will be returning to ensure that the great service wasn't a fluke, but I feel they are well worthy of it.

Jamie&Rachel

R