StyleNest recently headed to Pizza Express in Newcastle to sample family-friendly fare and their new spring menu.
Located on Dean Street, this is a short walk from the Quayside, so we took the little ones on a wander to work up an appetite for dinner. The team welcomed us into their bright and vibrant restaurant and we noticed friends, couples and other families also tasting some Italian treats.
Baked Dough Balls are practically the law when visiting Pizza Express, so the kids tucked into these to start whilst I enjoyed the gluten-free version. Coming with garlic butter and salad, they were totally delish. My other half sampled the Classic Italian Antipasto, comprising; Italian meats such as Milano salami, buffalo mozzarella, olives, marinated aubergine, sweet Peppadew peppers and dough baked with Gran Milano cheese, plus garlic butter and a harissa and tomato dip.
Sufficiently full of starters, we chatted and enjoyed some family time in between courses, with the kids drawing on their colouring packs. Our youngest stuck the stickers all over his clothes, causing laughter all round. When you’re dining with kids, distractions and entertainment are very welcome just to get a minute to eat and Pizza Express always delivers with this.
Onto the mains, and the children chose a Margherita pizza and plain pasta, which the team were happy to make with extra parmesan, as per our daughter’s favourite dish. It’s a simple touch, but when kids are particular about their food, it makes such a difference to be met with accommodating service.
I picked the new Hawaiian Pizza Express, the restaurant’s Italian take on a classic, which combines sweet pineapple chilli chutney with prosciutto, red onion and more. My husband went for the also new Risotto Fresco, packed with oak-roasted peppered salmon fillet, garlic and fresh parsley and Gran Milano cheese, fresh tomato, red onion and a dash of chilli oil with fresh lemon. Both dishes conjure up images of al-fresco summery dining, right up our street at StyleNest for summer.
For dessert, the kids both chose a Chocolate Brownie and Bambinoccino, and I also picked the brownie as it is gluten-free and super chocolatey. Dietary requirements definitely aren’t a problem at Pizza Express, which is very refreshing. The Mr devoured the Chocolate Fudge Cake, a dish that looked mouth-wateringly good and can be served with mascarpone, ice-cream or cream.
We left Pizza Express full of good food and memories of a fun family day out, with happy faces all round. The spring menu is delicious, and the all-year ambiance equally inviting.