PizzaExpress — Restaurant in Colchester

Unfortunately such a big name has failed to meet expectations although I believe it'll be easier to discuss my experience from discussing its strengths. In fact, starting with it's biggest; the fast service had definitely made the journey through starters, mains and of course deserts less tiresome because of its reasonable time between each meal not leaving us too focused on when it'll finally come. In simple, it was fast. Although, any slower I would come to the conclusion the food constructed with the time given is not justifiable because simply, the pizzas was burned and too thin to enjoy. To be more descriptive, the pizza is not the worst, yet, it didn't deliver the expectations as hinted from the start of the review. You can still easily enough enjoy the pizza but for the price and it being either undercooked or overcooked which myself and other friends on the table faced. Therefore, I was unable to rate my experience anymore than I have unless they have corrected some elements which I will be pointing out further in this review.

I have to apologise by quickly going into the negatives however, moving that aside the restaurant definitely felt comfortable and enjoyable - with a bit of contradictory. The reason being the display, the tables and even entire interior definitely is modern and renovated to uphold the expectation that a large company such as itself, has huge pressure to consistently innovate. The waiter who happened to serve me has been polite and kind which you couldn't ask anymore while he immediately had my desert taken back after he told me he was sceptical of how it should look. Worry not, it wasn't dangerous just the chocolate was melting quicker than expected and soon appeared like it did on the menu after a new one was made. Most importantly though, this has happened to be the best desert I had, it was delicious. It honestly took me by surprise. Literally. While drinks were good although I wouldn't take too much notice to that since I only drink orange juice and hot chocolate but if interested, I liked the taste of both? I mean for the desert, drinks I believe the prices are definitely justifiable.

Overall, in regards to feedback, there is a lot. You may come to a similar conclusion as the plates are definitely too small since I had my pizza glide around the edge. Further adding I'm still questioning how to eat the pizzas with the cutleries given due to the fact I couldn't cut the pizza without the concern of it slipping off the plate. It was indeed moving like it was on water despites its burnt texture. Last but not least important, the starter should have been bigger due to the price constraint - it's tasted wonderful but there is a reasoning for this. This restaurant will suffer rivalry with local pizza restaurants if they have overpowered both the pizzas taste and price combination.

Than again I believe it's worth mentioning the customer experience was exceptional which has definitely helped my decision for rating this restaurant as...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pizza Express, and I must say that my experience was absolutely delightful, thanks to the outstanding service provided by Waitress Iulia. From the moment I entered the restaurant until the moment I left, Iulia's exceptional attention to detail and genuine warmth made my visit truly memorable. First and foremost, Iulia's welcoming smile and friendly demeanor immediately put me at ease. Her positive energy radiated throughout the restaurant, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. I could tell that she genuinely enjoyed her work and cared about making every customer feel special. Iulia's knowledge of the menu was impressive. She expertly guided me through the extensive selection of delicious pizzas and provided excellent recommendations based on my preferences. Her suggestions turned out to be spot on, and I couldn't have been happier with my choices. Moreover, she was attentive to any dietary restrictions and ensured that my dining experience was tailored to my needs. What stood out to me the most was Iulia's impeccable service. She was attentive without being intrusive, always there when I needed something, yet giving me space to enjoy my meal. She regularly checked in to see if everything was to my liking and took the time to engage in friendly conversation, making me feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer. I was truly impressed by Iulia's efficiency and professionalism. Despite the restaurant being busy, she managed to handle multiple tables effortlessly, maintaining a high level of service throughout. Her ability to stay calm and composed in a fast-paced environment was truly commendable. Not only was Iulia efficient and professional, but she also displayed a genuine passion for her job. Her enthusiasm and love for the food she served were evident in every interaction. She took the time to share interesting tidbits about the pizzas and ingredients, enhancing my overall dining experience. In conclusion, I cannot speak highly enough of the waitress Iulia at Pizza Express. Her exceptional service, warm personality, and genuine passion for her work set her apart. She went above and beyond to ensure that my dining experience was exceptional, and for that, I am truly grateful. I will undoubtedly be returning to Pizza Express, hoping to have the pleasure of being served by Iulia once again. Her dedication and outstanding service are a testament to the high standards set by the restaurant. If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience, be sure to ask for Iulia at Pizza Express. You won't be...

UPDATE: Visited Pizza Express again for their Valentine's Day Dough Ball Lovers Set Menu. (2 Coures £17.95 / 3 Courses £21.95)

Although previously provided 5* (Inc 4* for food) we were extremely disappointed on this occasion.

Having arrived and been seated, we appeared to had been forgotten about, for about 20-30 minutes. There were only a handful of tables and appeared sufficient staff.

For starters; the 'Pollo Milanese', Buttermilk Chicken Goujons were lovely, hot and tasty. The Classic Dough balls on the other hand were over done and dry, however the garlic butter was great.

The Mains; the 'New' Smokey BBQ Chicken Pizza and a BBQ Burnt Ends Pizza, both on Romana. Being fussy as I unfortunately am, I asked for no Roasted Peppers or Red Onions, but Mushrooms instead. Unfortunately when the Pizzas arrived the BBQ Burnt Ends came out with toppings missing (when had no amendments) and both pizzas were just not up to the previous experiences of Pizza Express quality.

All in all we were left feeling very underwhelmed, especially with the quality of the food. This has put us off returning to this particular restaurant.

PREVIOUS REVIEW: 5mths ago Popped in for lunch last week, it was a quite Thursday afternoon. We were the only seated table during our visit, however there appeared to be numerous takeaways being picked up for delivery.

A little disappointed that they had no Halloumi Bites (but means we shall have to return again to try these)

As with previously review from over a year ago, restaurant clean, staff friendly and food good. (The Romana pizza base seemed different, the underside did not seem as crispy as per our previous visit, hence 4 stars not 5 for food).

We would still recommend.. I noticed they advertised childrens party's, whereby the children get to make, master and then enjoy their pizza, sounded a really good concept.

.......

Previous Review: Fabulous.. located just off the High Street, away from the hustle and bustle.. a real hidden gem.

Having entered we were swiftly welcomed inside and shown to a table.

The staff all appeared happy, they were polite and friendly. The restaurant had a lovely warm feeling and the decor was that of the typical Pizza Express chain.

The toilets were located up a couple of stairs, (albeit I think there is a seperate entrance to avoid stairs) the the one used was tiled floor to ceiling and clean.

The restaurant was clean and tidy, the staff were all attentive.

The food was amazing.

All in all.. well worth a visit.. We will certainly be returning, Great food &...