WhatsOn Review: Pizza Express in London's China Town

From the moment I walked into this Pizza Express, at the heart of China Town in Wardour Street London, I knew I would leave happy. It posessed a certain charm and warmth that you only get in an italian restaurant, as I soon found out from Alex – who served me – and had worked there for several years, exactly why.
I was standing in a little piece of Wardour Street history, as this was the very first Pizza Express ever!
Max, the manager from Italy, was so incredibly hospitable, and gave me a little history lesson of the area, pointed to the spot close by where the Beatles themselves were photographed. He explained that China town didn’t even exist when they first opened, just a few bad English/Italian restaurants serving pasta and “GRAVY”. He then proceed to let us know what his Sardinian grandmother would have thought if she had seen what they had served…
Then Alex, full of warmth, and his special brand of Rio sunshine, which he joyously exudes over every customer, showed us the historical and original photographs that graced the walls from the 1960’s.
Dare I go so far to say it was one of the best pizza experiences I ever had?
The starter was Mozzarella and Tomato salad with Pesto, ceaser salad (just how it should be) and dough balls. Fresh, delicious, perfect!
For mains we ordered Pollo Ad Astra pizza, which had a wonderfully thin crust, just as you get in Rome, with a little hit of Rio is how I would describe it – chicken, cajan spices, sweet pepperdew peppers, red onions, mozzarella, and I added extra black olives…simply divine!
The lasagne was creamy dreamy, tasty, warming and satisfying. Our mixed salad was the perfect accompaniment.
For dessert I had the lotus Biscoff Cheesecake, a mini dessert or Dolchetti for that perfect sweet hit! It’s one of the new dessert specials, and comes with a classic biscuit base, layered with smooth Lotus Biscoff, spread and creamy cheesecake, finished with a Lotus biscoff biscuit. Which by the way is the biscuit I always reach for with a coffee, and it comes with your choice of any tea or coffee, and as I was in the mini mood, I had a double expresso.
My eating companion had a rasberry sorbet sweet; refreshing and the perfect palate cleanse.
Alex also had us try the new non alcoholic gin cocktail. Seedlip garden 108 with its floral and herbal flavour, which was divinely refreshing, surprisingly like gin, and a great choice when your driving.
Between £12 to £14 for a main, and half that for a starter, value for money and quality is in abundance.
This is now my absolute favourite Pizza Express – great service, historical, and most importantly wonderful food.
Thank you Max, Alex and your wonderful team. The first ever Pizza Express on 29 Wardour St, London, is exactly why Pizza Express is so successful today!
Don’t just take our word for it – check it out for yourself at pizzaexpress.com.