One of the things I greatly missed when I became a coeliac was
pizza. More specific in fact is Pizza Express where I would save up when a
student to grace their restaurants once a month or more when I worked. In fact
I had my first date with my husband at a particular beautiful one (have you
ever noticed A LOT of them are well designed inside grade 2 buildings?) However
recently and rather wonderfully they now will cover most of their menu with a
gluten free option, from risotto to pizza to brownies all of their options are gluten-free
accredited NGCI, the Coeliac UK society
having worked with them for years. I can now head out to town with options for
dinner. I love the fact that the menu clearly states alongside all their
starters and other mains and desserts which are GF and that 90% of their pizzas
can be made GF!
They very kindly asked if I would like to review
their latest menu – the summer range and obviously I jumped at the chance!
Their summer
menu is set to delight you
from mouth-watering cocktails to incredibly sumptuous salads – chicken, goats
cheese, blueberries & mint are a huge part through to delicious pizzas of
course and boy the desserts!!!
I dragged one of my friends along to the rather
gorgeous pizza express at Arundel which if you take your children is incredibly
children friendly – check out Pizza Express kids menu here – wonderful place to pop into over the
hols. We decide to brave the “Hugo” cocktail which is Prosecco with elderflower
and mint and is by far my favourite drink now for summer. I even headed
straight to the supermarkets afterwards to make up my own!
Since if you haven’t noticed we’re having a mini
heatwave I started off with a perfect mozzarella, tomato and basil pesto salad
followed by I think the best gluten free pizza base I’ve had. I have needless
to say tried a lot of these and the friend I took with me doesn’t eat GF and
couldn’t taste the difference. Melt in the mouth perfection, Pizza
express I must say!
Of course I couldn’t possibly leave without
dessert and I dove straight into their Strawberry & Cream Glory. It left me
speechless and reminded me of desserts my Nan use to give me – Ice cream coated
in cream with frozen chunks of cream at the bottom, OH MY GOODNESS HEAVEN!!!
And being completely into the research I ensure my friend had a different dessert
of the chocolate brownie! Divine as well.
Overall it was a wonderful experience, the food
was as I always remembered diverse toppings and offerings, wonderful flavours
& combinations, and cooked to perfection (I’m incredibly fussy!) The staff,
as with all Pizza Express restaurants, were fun, courteous and polite, and
nothing was too much trouble. All in all a perfect 10 out of 10 for food,
atmosphere, service & hygiene. Back to being one of my favourite places to
dine. Thank you – now if you could start putting the gluten free pizzas in to
the shops I’d be grateful!!
Last
but not least – Autumn. Blame it on the heatwave we’ve been having this week or
the fact that you can go for a walk without feeling like you’re going to keel
over after 5 steps. That and mulled apple juice, marshmallows toasting on a
fire, you get the picture?
