PizzaExpress

PizzaExpress
6 Scotts Road
#B1-08 Scotts Square

251 Holland Avenue

7 Fraser Street
#01-01 Duo Galleria

5 Straits View
#01-20 Marina One

2 Tampines Central 5
#02-20 Century Square

https://www.pizzaexpress.sg/

Pizza Margherita (SGD $14)

Good Pizzas For A Price

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 8
Ambience & Setting: 7
Food & Beverage: 8
Service: 9
Value for Money: 7
Spent about SGD $40 per person.


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Originally founded in 1965 by restaurateur Peter Boizot in London, England, United Kingdom, PizzaExpress has since grown to become an international restaurant franchise, with over 500 outlets worldwide. Arriving in Singapore in July 2016, PizzaExpress has since expanded to 5 outlets across the island, and continues to attract diners with their handmade pizza, done according to traditional Italian standards.

Ambience at PizzaExpress holds to its international standard. Intentionally designed to be eye-catching, the bright logo, warm lighting, and spacious curves of the restaurant exude a quiet sophistication. The wooden cushioned furnishings are plush and comfortable, while performance art can be viewed at the open kitchen. The Singaporean outlets tend to have less local flourishes than outlets worldwide though, coming off as somewhat muted in character.

Service at PizzaExpress aspires to fine dining quality. Clad in the signature black and white striped aprons, staff are polite, friendly, and efficient. They demonstrate good product knowledge, able to answer queries, offer recommendations, and display quick thinking. I note they clean empty / dirty tables quickly when diners finish and leave. Staff also accord each table personalised attention, and check for feedback during the meal. In big groups, they'll proceed down the line from one end, patiently taking orders. Service recovery is also performed immediately upon a service lapse.

Food at PizzaExpress remains true to its Italian roots. They specialise in handmade pizzas, and pasta dishes, made using traditional recipes, and where possible, local ingredients. No microwaves here, the oven is the kitchen's centrepiece. The emphasis on traditional recipes means you get consistent quality and taste all across the world. Portions are medium to large for individuals, and prices are upper mid-range for casual dining. Budget about SGD $40 per person for a meal here.


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PizzaExpress Kitchen

PizzaExpress Menu

Seating

Decor

Water Glass

The Beer Peroni Nastro Azzurro (SGD $11) is a straw golden coloured pale Roman lager, whose name means 'Blue Ribbon' in Italian. Poured with a dense white foam head, this beer is known internationally for its young, sparkling, very light body; somewhat odd aroma of grains, skunk, and lemon; taste of crackers, corn, and bread. A really light European beer, refreshing and great for summer days!

Beer Peroni Nastro Azzurro (SGD $11)

The Wine Bidoli Pinot Grigio (SGD $13.50) is a white wine, made from pinot grigio grapes, by the Bidoli family winery in the Friuli Grave DOC / Grave Del Friuli appellation, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy. It has a clear, pale green yellow colour, with aromas of lemon, flint, green apple, and lily flower. The body is crisp, light, and refreshing, with tastes of pear, honeydew melon, pebble, and peach. Fairly tangy sweet with a hint of sour, and a fresh finish.

Wine Bidoli Pinot Grigio (SGD $13.50)

Wine Bidoli Pinot Grigio

The Wine Tenuta Poggio Primo Marini Chianti (SGD $13.50) is a red wine, made from the classic chianti blend of 80% sangiovese grapes, 10% canaiolo nero grapes, and 10% malvasia grapes, by the Tenuta Poggio Primo winery in the Chianti DOCG appellation, in the Tuscany region of Italy. It has a deep, dark violet red colour, with aromas of fig, strawberry, leather, and rose flower. The body is smooth, light, and velvety, with tastes of cherry, plum, tomato, and oregano. Fairly subtle sweet with a touch of spice, low tannins and low acidity, with a short finish.

Wine Tenuta Poggio Primo Marini Chianti (SGD $13.50)

Wine Tenuta Poggio Primo Marini Chianti

The Polpette Al Forno (SGD $15) features 6 beef meat balls, served in a gooey cheesy gravy of parsley, bechamel sauce, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Finished with a single basil leaf, the beef meat balls are tender and bouncy in texture, with a bold savoury meaty flavour. Best eaten when piping hot, less enjoyable when cool.

Polpette Al Forno (SGD $15)

Polpette Al Forno

It's said that you'll know a good pizzeria from the quality of their Margherita Pizza. If so, the Pizza Margherita (SGD $14) here is a testament to the restaurant's above average quality. Using an original Italian recipe, which hails from 1965, to make the pizza dough, this results in a semi-crisp, semi-chewy, slightly stretchy pizza crust. Has a fragrant bready grainy aroma. The passata / tomato puree is nicely balanced in its sweet sour floral notes, and is well strained and smooth in texture. Stringy mozzarella cheese and a single basil leaf complete this delicious pizza. Good!

Pizza Margherita (SGD $14)

Pizza Margherita

The Pizza Genovese Di Pollo Pesto (SGD $21) has their signature semi-crisp, semi-chewy, slightly stretchy pizza crust, garnished with pesto Genovese, shredded chicken breast, green peppers, peppadew peppers, red onions, passata / tomato puree, bechamel sauce, arugula / wild rocket leaves, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Each bite has a complex layering of flavours, sweet savoury bitter salty sour spicy cheesy; with textures of chewy crunchy crispy tender juicy stringy. I enjoyed this. Good!

Pizza Genovese Di Pollo Pesto (SGD $21)

Pizza Genovese Di Pollo Pesto

Pizza Genovese Di Pollo Pesto

The Pizza Carbonara (SGD $27) has their signature semi-crisp, semi-chewy, slightly stretchy pizza crust, garnished with smoked bacon, garlic oil, bechamel sauce, a soft cooked egg, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. It really channels the spirit of the iconic pasta dish, with its creamy chewy texture and flavours of herbal smoky savoury salty eggy cheesy. Very nice, and actually less filling than its pasta counterpart. Good!

Pizza Carbonara (SGD $27)

Pizza Carbonara

Pizza Carbonara

The Pizza American Hottest (SGD $28) has their signature semi-crisp, semi-chewy, slightly stretchy pizza crust, garnished with pork pepperoni, spicy Italian pork sausage, green peppers, jalapeno, fresh red chili, parsley, mozzarella cheese chunks, passata / tomato puree, and chili oil. The meaty bouncy chewy texture is decent, but what stands out is the bold meaty savoury salty spicy flavours, with a fiery lingering burn. Truely spicy. Staff tell me that if you want it less spicy, ask for the chili oil to be served on the side, to drizzle as you wish. They actually have 2 other versions of this pizza on the menu, with less ingredients for each, but you may as well go for this. Highly recommended!

Pizza American Hottest (SGD $28)

Pizza American Hottest

Pizza American Hottest

The Pizza Calabrese (SGD $29) is their 'hero' or signature pizza, and visually, is the most colourful and vibrant of their offerings. This pizza has their signature semi-crisp, semi-chewy, slightly stretchy pizza crust, but instead of a circle, it's shaped like a rectangle. Inspired by the cuisine of Calabria, Italy, this pizza is garnished with 'nduja, also known as Calabria salumi, a sausage made from pork belly, pork shoulder, roasted Calabrian chili peppers, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, fennel seeds, black pepper, paprika, and allspice / pimenta / myrtle pepper. Accompanied with spicy Italian pork sausage, green peppers, jalapeno, fresh red chili, mozzarella cheese chunks, arugula / wild rocket leaves, pesto Genovese, and parmesan cheese. Layered textures of crisp, chewy, bouncy, crunchy, with a complex combined flavour profile of earthy, herbal, sweet, sour, bitter, savoury, salty, spicy, cheesy. Highly recommended!

Pizza Calabrese (SGD $29)

Pizza Calabrese

Pizza Calabrese

Staff originally served me the default dish, which comes with spaghetti, even though I ordered the Pasta Linguine Bolognese (SGD $19). They immediately corrected it. The linguine pasta noodles have a slight al-dente bite, and pick up the rich, thick, savoury sweet ragu of minced beef and tomato so well. Garnished with a single basil leaf and parmesan cheese to finish. This classic Italian pasta dish is hearty and comforting, with a decent portion size that fills you up nicely, but isn't overwhelming. Good!

Pasta Linguine Bolognese (SGD $19)

Pasta Linguine Bolognese

Pasta Linguine Bolognese

The Pasta Linguine Granchio Con Panna (SGD $25) has al-dente linguine pasta noodles, tossed in a rich cream sauce, garnished with steamed deshelled crab meat, onions, garlic, coriander, a lime wedge, and caviar. Layered flavours of sweet savoury milky spicy briny zesty here, very pleasing. The luxurious caviar bursts in the mouth, coating the palate and complementing the natural fresh sweetness of the crab meat. A splash of lime juice lends a sour zesty tangy touch. I like to add more chili flakes to this for added kick. Highly recommended!

Pasta Linguine Granchio Con Panna (SGD $25)

Pasta Linguine Granchio Con Panna

Pasta Linguine Granchio Con Panna

Enjoyed the Pasta Spaghetti Di Pancetta E Asparagi (SGD $24), with its al-dente spaghetti pasta noodles, tossed in olive oil, lending it a lovely fragrance. Garnished with cubed pancetta / cured pork belly, strips of smoked bacon, tender green asparagus shoots, Sicilian green olives, cured anchovies, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Simple textures of chewy crunchy tender, with bold flavours of salty savoury smoky. Visually pleasing with its bright colours, and delicious like a guilty pleasure. Highly recommended!

Pasta Spaghetti Di Pancetta E Asparagi (SGD $24)

Pasta Spaghetti Di Pancetta E Asparagi

Pasta Spaghetti Di Pancetta E Asparagi

The Torta Al Limone (SGD $11.50) features a light lemon cake, with a soft moist warm interior, and a crisp crunchy exterior. The center has a brûlée lemon curd, with zesty sour sweet tangy flavour. Served with a Sicilian pistachio gelato, which has a nutty sweet flavour and a rich creamy smooth texture. Highly recommended!

Torta Al Limone (SGD $11.50)

Torta Al Limone

Torta Al Limone

The Tiramisu (SGD $11) is done to traditional classic standards. Soft fluffy ladyfinger biscuits / savoiardi / sponge finger biscuits, infused with fragrant espresso coffee, layered with a creamy mixture of whipped eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese, dusted with cocoa powder. Nice rich feel, with a sweet creamy milky coffee flavour, but I would have liked to see it more infused with the espresso coffee, as bits of it were alternating dry and moist in texture. Above average rendition, but not quite great in quality.

Tiramisu (SGD $11)

Tiramisu

Tiramisu

The warm Fig Pudding (SGD $11.50) is so comforting, yet decadent. A moist and soft fig cake (pudding), with bold fruity sweet flavour, is laced with toffee sauce, giving it a floral note. Served with a rich, creamy smooth vanilla gelato ice cream, and crunchy sticky pieces of honeycomb crumble. Distinctive layered sweet flavours throughout. I enjoyed every bite of this. Highly recommended!

Fig Pudding (SGD $11.50)

Fig Pudding

Fig Pudding

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