Pizza Express — Restaurant in Coventry

Me and my fiancé visited this restaurant yesterday 6th September around 17.10 Coventry Belgrade plaza and were greeted at the door . A waitress with light brown hair and glasses walked us to our table , before we even reached it, she threw the menus down and walked off after We mentioned that we would prefer a different table, as the one she directed us to was right next to two groups of people in the corner She then shouted from across that all the other tables were reserved, except for one near the door, even though the restaurant was half empty , It seemed like she was deliberately trying to seat everyone in the same cramped area.

When we agreed to move to the table near the door, she shouted for us to get our own menus and appeared frustrated and huffed when she had to bring them over . I've never experienced such poor customer service in all my life. I'm fairly certain other staff members witnessed this, too. She definitely needs training on how to properly handle customers we almost walked out because of this experience me and my partner go very frequently to pizza express at different locations and we are just mortified by how we were treated .

On a positive note, the garlic dough balls were probably the best we’ve had—very fresh—and the pizza was nice. However, the pizza came with Parmesan, which we didn't ask for, raising concerns about whether it was vegetarian-friendly. It would be better if they asked before adding it. We went ahead and ate it, assuming they wouldn’t put it on a vegetarian pizza if it wasn’t.

Overall, the food was lovely, and other staff members seemed attentive, polite, and professional. However, the chefs should remove their AirPods as it is neither hygienic nor safe in case they fall into the food. We usually tip, but we didn’t feel this experience warranted it. We are very disappointed and will not be returning to this restaurant , Despite it being the closest location to us, I’d rather drive...

To summarise... it was dismal. Arrived at 20:34, only 4 minutes after the time our table was booked for, to be advised that our table had been given away as we were running late, so not a promising omen for a good night out. The starter of Taleggio cheese was admittedly lovely but took 30 minutes to arrive which was pretty poor. The mains then took a further 45 minutes (pizza for 2 people, hardly a cooking masterclass). Well both were cold and the tomatoes on one pizza were not the rusticella tomatoes requested; instead being some raw chunks of tomato thrown on at the last minute. We were both unhappy immediately, though it took a while to flag the attention of any waiters/waitresses as they seem to walk around the restaurant with their heads down. We were then met with the response of "oh they can't be cold as I just saw them being taken out of the oven"... a blatant and annoying lie, unless of course, the oven had been switched off for the past 15 minutes. Anyway pizzas were exchanged (by this time 22:15, so pretty late), and here's where it gets really disappointing: not once were we asked whether the replacement food was okay, this in spite of a waitress walking frequently past. On collection of the finished meals we were asked if we wanted to see the dessert menu in the surliest tone possible, by which point we were so fed up with the awful service we just wanted to leave. It was, I regret to say, a Valentine's meal ruined by atrocious service, yet still cost in excess of £50. Do yourself a favour and avoid...

Pizza Express has been one of my favourite restaurants for a long time. I've experienced literally most Pizza Express chains across the country. I have never once come across a chain with such poor service, rude waitresses, such delay and poor food.

When I went into Pizza Express, I ordered a Margherita with chillies. Not only did the waitress take her time coming up to us and offering us a menu but she took her time to come back to ask us what we would like to order. After ordering my pizza, she came back with JUST A MARGHERITA and NO chillies. I complained immediately and asked her if she could kindly get me the pizza I have ordered (bear in mind I paid the extra price to get chillies on the pizza). This is what astounded me - she came back with the same Margherita pizza she handed me, then just sprinkled some chillies on the pizza. I was absolutely enfuriated because she and the chef simply did not understand customer service and purely, how to cook even. No pizza chain ever sprinkles the toppings AFTER the pizza has been cooked? So why is Coventry Pizza Express putting the least amount of effort in to deliver what I, the customer, have paid for?

Never ever coming back to Pizza Express in Coventry again and I honestly warn you that customer service is not their forté, let...