Topic ID 490
Went to Pizza Express on Sunday. I've always liked PE - far superior to Pizza Hut, ASK or any of the others. Just more classy. Had my usual Sloppy Guisseppi (sp?). 4/5 (Good). Service Adequate Ambience and Facilities Good VFM Good. Declaration of interest: I'm a shareholder!
Reply ID 4379
I find ASK a very poor second to PE. As for Pizza Hut, i refuse to eat off a sticky plastic table cloth
Reply ID 4386
Staff are also always very pleasant, outdoor bit is nice in summer.(had to get 100 up! [:D]
Reply ID 4389
Pizza Express - Fiorentina + cheesecake. Need I say more?
Reply ID 4431
cant abide the place.
Reply ID 4434
me neither my friends love it,i cant see the appeal not value for money thats for shure.
Reply ID 4436
Harsh words I think. Its a great place for a quick bite to eat, the staff are always friendly and the pizza are always great. You only have to look in the window throughout most of the day to see that the majority would agree with me. But as the say each to there own.
Reply ID 4437
fair play.
Reply ID 4438
I like the fact that you know what you're getting with Pizza Express (in Hertford & elsewhere). Not that I don't like to take a chance with new places, but sometimes you want to be sure you're going to get a good, straightforward meal, in reasonable time. It's not somewhere to go for a big celebration, but as a 'bite to eat' restaurant it's great. They usually try to locate themselves in 'unusal' buildings as well, or make some big changes to the lay-out of each restaurant.
Reply ID 4439
quote:I think that the building that Pizza Express is in used to be a lot more "unusal" when it was the Dimsdale!!!!!!
Originally posted by Kate They usually try to locate themselves in 'unusal' buildings as well, or make some big changes to the lay-out of each restaurant.
Reply ID 4487
I actually like Ask and PE, but when chefs move on/change, so do the quality of these places, I think its swings and roundabouts in life and from time to time they all fall down a bit and then get better.. I like the ham and pineapple pizza with lovely olives on.. yummy and the use of the large peppermill!!!
Reply ID 4544
I can't fault PE forwhat it offers. It doesn't pretend to be anything other than what it is. It's welcoming for families and children and has a good outside area for the warmer months.
Reply ID 4656
but its a complete rip off. £8 odd for a pizza that costs 50p to make, i dont understand why people say its good value or a good cheap eat. I do prefer ask of the 2, but its extremeley rare for me to go to either. i will definately not go back to pizza express. I wont say why.
Reply ID 4658
I have to admit I prefer Ask as a chain in general but only slightly - would be quite happy to go in either. I do prefer the PE ambience tho it can sometimes be too loud volume wise over Ask
Reply ID 5470
We ordered a pizza for our son and asked them to omit the cheese as he has a dairy allergy. Without hesitation the waitress said that next time we went in we can bring in a substitute cheese if he had one and they would put it on his pizza for us. Good service.
Reply ID 6784
i have to agree that pizza hut is dreadful but is pizza express that great? i mean it is very slow service every thime i have been and also its very overpriced. i found i got the same amount of service but in a shorter time at cafe uno! i enjoy going to PE but it i seem always to be stuck in the door right next to the coats just becaus ei don't smoke and dont have children! i dont think that that's fair really! overall friendly service but long wait and draughty!
Reply ID 7527
I think PE has the look and feel right, but it is damn expensive for what you get. They need to rotate the menus too. There are only so many Sloppy Guisseppi's I can eat. I now only go there if someone has booked a birthday with kids.
Reply ID 7539
The last time I was there they had seasonal additions to the menu, as always. And you can make your own pizza by adding as many toppings as you like.
Reply ID 11106
Had lunch here Sunday with some friends and the babies, fantastic service, good food, nice couple of bottles of Chianti and coffees £65 per couple with a generous tip. Not too cheap, but very relaxing and enjoyable and not really that expensive either.
Reply ID 11107
£65 for 4 pizzas and some wine? definitely not cheap.
Reply ID 11109
Carlos do you really think that The Frenchman and myself only had a pizza!!! 4 starters 4 Pizzas (2 off piste)4 sweets (2 with a shot of Amaretto in) 2 beers, 2 bottles of plonk, 2 bottles of waters and 4 coffees. £112.mumble minus tip. I did say the sevice was good, they moved a table in to the sun for us and gat me another table when asked as there was not enough space for all the glasses.
Reply ID 11110
Did we have lunch on Sunday Victor ?!? - Must stay off the red wine...
Reply ID 11118
quote:No you must stay on it, its the only way to stay sane!
Originally posted by Frenchie
Did we have lunch on Sunday Victor ?!? - Must stay off the red wine...
Reply ID 11121
The truth will out....NOW it sounds not bad.
Reply ID 11183
We had dinner in there on Thursday night and it was up to the usual high standards of Pizza Express. Their new Diavalo pizza is a must if you like things spicy!!
Reply ID 11205
i cannot understand why people think highly of this place. For me it is fowl and absoluteley disgusting, todays visit reiterated that. Its like throwing money in the bin.
Reply ID 11206
but as you have often said before - if you don't like it don't go. And fowl? Do you mean foul [;)]
Reply ID 11209
Justin you really must give us your reasons for your view.
Reply ID 11212
Its easy to understand why this place is so popular. It makes the best pizzas around in a reliable, professional and welcoming surroundings. Yes, the margins on making pizzas are huge, but even if its 15% more than the competition, its reasonalby consistant and reliable wherever in the country you go.
Reply ID 11213
Justin, as you well know, there are many types of Restaraunts. In my view the Hillside would not have been the right establishment for the type of afternoon we had Sunday, however given the choice and a baby sitter, plus a few extra tewntys in my wallet I would have come to the Hillside. When you are paying £7 for a pizza, you get exactly what you pay for, bread with cheese and some meat and mushrooms baked in the oven. What made the meal particulaly enjoyable was the fact that the staff bent over backwards to accomodate us and our children, now that may be due to the fact that it was not that busy on Sunday, or that we are all regulars. If I had come to the Hillside and we had all had 3 courses + coffees, 2 bottles of wine and Beer for £112 I would have had to ask you to go and check your calculator. This is by no means a slur on your prices, but mearly an example on how the 2 establishments differ. You serve quality hand prepared tasty dishes and charge accordingly, Pizza Express serve round pieces of flat bread, with tomatoes, meat and cheese chucked on and charge accordingly. Yes there are places that serve better pizzas, but they are few and far between and normally are a few quid more. Every restaraunt has its place in life. Please remember that.
Reply ID 11215
I have to agree with Justin on this...........very overrated! The Pizzas are always 'soggy' with little pools of grease sitting in the middle!! Stopped going after about three disappointing visits.[xx(]
Reply ID 11216
I would be interested to hear where people feel (and go to) to get a better pizza for a similar price around Hertford ?....(pls dont say Ask..!)
Reply ID 11217
There is'nt anywhere, especially that is child (buggy)friendly. Baroosh do not allow children, Cafe Rouge is pokey in the winter, Cafe Uno is pants and Ask is not much better. Once again I stress the need for TGIF's type place in Hertford to cater for families. (not a Bernie or Beefeater though)
Reply ID 11225
quote:You're doing yourself no favours with this vitriolic outburst. Is there something that Pizza Express did to you in the past to try to ruin your business. People enjoy a visit there because: 1. They get a good standard of food and drink. 2. They know what they will be getting. 3. It has a friendly atmosphere. 4. Service standards are high and the staff are well trained. 5. They know how much it will cost. 6. They can relax and have a laugh in a big group. 7. They can have an intimate meal for two. 8. They can have a seat in a non-smoking environment. 9. They can have a seat in an area where smoking is allowed. 10. They can have a seat outside in the summer. 11. The whole family can go. 12. There are no heirs and graces. 13. They might well meet others that they know. 14. It's well positioned in the town. 14. It's not over priced if you're prepared to pay for what you're getting. It's got something for everyone. I've been to The Hillside and enjoyed the eating experience a great deal. I did not see your top quality pizzas on the menu for £6-8, so until you enter the market, I will not know what your version of a decent pizza should be like. Put up or shut up.
Originally posted by justin
i cannot understand why people think highly of this place. For me it is fowl and absoluteley disgusting, todays visit reiterated that. Its like throwing money in the bin.
Reply ID 11247
here here! I think it'svery derisory for the proprietor of one restaurant to slate another venue, especially one that's not even a competitor!
Reply ID 11289
quote:i will answer each post individually, but mr fair, im a comsumer and looking at it from a consumers point of view , like everyone else who goes there, why do you pigeon hole me? And why does the hillside get mentioned alongside???
Originally posted by thefair1973
here here! I think it'svery derisory for the proprietor of one restaurant to slate another venue, especially one that's not even a competitor!
Reply ID 11292
quote:WOW. That was quite an outburst.[}:)] Instead of ranting on, why didnt you ask me why i think like this? I maybe should have elaborated more, but i had planned to later. The reason i think its poor is from my experiences of, filthy glasses, asked to replace them for clean , attitude from staff was , tut, 4 times she brought filthy glasses, and was rude to boot. Staff have been appaling, in that sense. The ingreidient: terrible quality, unwashed salad, stale bases, frozen "cooked" chicken, mozzarella like plastic, rocket with no flavour, tomatoes like water, rubber olives, tinned anchovies, i could go on........... I believe the prices they charge and the influence they have on people, they should be using better ingredients. Thats enough for now
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:You're doing yourself no favours with this vitriolic outburst. Is there something that Pizza Express did to you in the past to try to ruin your business. People enjoy a visit there because: 1. They get a good standard of food and drink. 2. They know what they will be getting. 3. It has a friendly atmosphere. 4. Service standards are high and the staff are well trained. 5. They know how much it will cost. 6. They can relax and have a laugh in a big group. 7. They can have an intimate meal for two. 8. They can have a seat in a non-smoking environment. 9. They can have a seat in an area where smoking is allowed. 10. They can have a seat outside in the summer. 11. The whole family can go. 12. There are no heirs and graces. 13. They might well meet others that they know. 14. It's well positioned in the town. 14. It's not over priced if you're prepared to pay for what you're getting. It's got something for everyone. I've been to The Hillside and enjoyed the eating experience a great deal. I did not see your top quality pizzas on the menu for £6-8, so until you enter the market, I will not know what your version of a decent pizza should be like. Put up or shut up.
Originally posted by justin
i cannot understand why people think highly of this place. For me it is fowl and absoluteley disgusting, todays visit reiterated that. Its like throwing money in the bin.
Reply ID 11298
Justin, you must have been on the same nights as me!!! (I am shocked that two people expressed such extreme reactions to another person expressing their own, valid opinion.......its only pizza!!!!)
Reply ID 11306
Yeah, but it's a great pizza!
Reply ID 11307
quote:Fair enough. Good reasons. I don't necessarily agree. I was trying to answer your question as to why people think highly of the place. It's not all about the food - it's the whole experience. Surprised about the service. I've always had good service but then I'm a regular which might help. I have had to send back dirty glasses before but it's never been a problem. Agree 100% about the tomatoes. Never have them myself. But then I try to avoid tomatoes everywhere because most of those available these days are tasteless. Not sure about the unwashed salads - will have to check next time. Other than that, I like the flavours that the mixture of "terrible quality" ingredients ends up providing. I know what I'm getting and what I'm going to pay.
Originally posted by justinquote:WOW. That was quite an outburst.[}:)] Instead of ranting on, why didnt you ask me why i think like this? I maybe should have elaborated more, but i had planned to later. The reason i think its poor is from my experiences of, filthy glasses, asked to replace them for clean , attitude from staff was , tut, 4 times she brought filthy glasses, and was rude to boot. Staff have been appaling, in that sense. The ingreidient: terrible quality, unwashed salad, stale bases, frozen "cooked" chicken, mozzarella like plastic, rocket with no flavour, tomatoes like water, rubber olives, tinned anchovies, i could go on........... I believe the prices they charge and the influence they have on people, they should be using better ingredients. Thats enough for now
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:You're doing yourself no favours with this vitriolic outburst. Is there something that Pizza Express did to you in the past to try to ruin your business. People enjoy a visit there because: 1. They get a good standard of food and drink. 2. They know what they will be getting. 3. It has a friendly atmosphere. 4. Service standards are high and the staff are well trained. 5. They know how much it will cost. 6. They can relax and have a laugh in a big group. 7. They can have an intimate meal for two. 8. They can have a seat in a non-smoking environment. 9. They can have a seat in an area where smoking is allowed. 10. They can have a seat outside in the summer. 11. The whole family can go. 12. There are no heirs and graces. 13. They might well meet others that they know. 14. It's well positioned in the town. 14. It's not over priced if you're prepared to pay for what you're getting. It's got something for everyone. I've been to The Hillside and enjoyed the eating experience a great deal. I did not see your top quality pizzas on the menu for £6-8, so until you enter the market, I will not know what your version of a decent pizza should be like. Put up or shut up.
Originally posted by justin
i cannot understand why people think highly of this place. For me it is fowl and absoluteley disgusting, todays visit reiterated that. Its like throwing money in the bin.
Reply ID 11324
quote:absolutely fine by me[:D] And i dont think im trying to "ruin" there business. Im a supporter of small producers, passionate breeders, growers, farmers. etc, i think that restaurants with the ilk that they have should try to do more to "protect" what should be important to all
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:Fair enough. Good reasons. I don't necessarily agree. I was trying to answer your question as to why people think highly of the place. It's not all about the food - it's the whole experience. Surprised about the service. I've always had good service but then I'm a regular which might help. I have had to send back dirty glasses before but it's never been a problem. Agree 100% about the tomatoes. Never have them myself. But then I try to avoid tomatoes everywhere because most of those available these days are tasteless. Not sure about the unwashed salads - will have to check next time. Other than that, I like the flavours that the mixture of "terrible quality" ingredients ends up providing. I know what I'm getting and what I'm going to pay.
Originally posted by justinquote:WOW. That was quite an outburst.[}:)] Instead of ranting on, why didnt you ask me why i think like this? I maybe should have elaborated more, but i had planned to later. The reason i think its poor is from my experiences of, filthy glasses, asked to replace them for clean , attitude from staff was , tut, 4 times she brought filthy glasses, and was rude to boot. Staff have been appaling, in that sense. The ingreidient: terrible quality, unwashed salad, stale bases, frozen "cooked" chicken, mozzarella like plastic, rocket with no flavour, tomatoes like water, rubber olives, tinned anchovies, i could go on........... I believe the prices they charge and the influence they have on people, they should be using better ingredients. Thats enough for now
Originally posted by 2929paulquote:You're doing yourself no favours with this vitriolic outburst. Is there something that Pizza Express did to you in the past to try to ruin your business. People enjoy a visit there because: 1. They get a good standard of food and drink. 2. They know what they will be getting. 3. It has a friendly atmosphere. 4. Service standards are high and the staff are well trained. 5. They know how much it will cost. 6. They can relax and have a laugh in a big group. 7. They can have an intimate meal for two. 8. They can have a seat in a non-smoking environment. 9. They can have a seat in an area where smoking is allowed. 10. They can have a seat outside in the summer. 11. The whole family can go. 12. There are no heirs and graces. 13. They might well meet others that they know. 14. It's well positioned in the town. 14. It's not over priced if you're prepared to pay for what you're getting. It's got something for everyone. I've been to The Hillside and enjoyed the eating experience a great deal. I did not see your top quality pizzas on the menu for £6-8, so until you enter the market, I will not know what your version of a decent pizza should be like. Put up or shut up.
Originally posted by justin
i cannot understand why people think highly of this place. For me it is fowl and absoluteley disgusting, todays visit reiterated that. Its like throwing money in the bin.
Reply ID 11377
Quote from 2929paul "12. There are no heirs and graces". Or airs and graces even!!
Reply ID 11413
quote:Hairs in the salads?
Originally posted by Rooster
Quote from 2929paul "12. There are no heirs and graces". Or airs and graces even!!
Reply ID 11415
quote:Admit that a bit of dough with a some bits on it appears to be getting more column inches than Gorden Ramsey's latest venture. Now if you were talking Fat Jacks (from Ware delivery) that IS a good Pizza...... [:D] Mr Tigger
Originally posted by BettyB
(I am shocked that two people expressed such extreme reactions to another person expressing their own, valid opinion.......its only pizza!!!!)
Reply ID 12842
i worked for pizza express once upon a time and it used to be a fantastic company to work for. yes, management has changed and it has grown massively but they still make damn good pizzas. justin, your comments show you have no class! p