PizzaExpress

1   What a downturn!

We used to really like going to Pizza Express for a impromptu meal with the kids. Often we would go with a 'player of the week' voucher that our son had gained that week. The staff were fantastic, especially Scot who seems to have left and the polish lady who was duty manager the last I saw. The food was good too - but the last couple of times we have been have been awful. We have had to wait ages, the food was very average and the last time I had the goat's cheese salad which was awful - the most ugly and tasteless salad i have ever had. I mentioned it to our lovely waiter, the only one left from the old school, and he had it taken off the bill. They apologised and said they had had problems with the salads. I was so disappointed that we will not be going there again without assurances that things have gone back to how they were. Everyone I know says it has changed for the worst.

1   Poor service, left before main course

We went for an impromptu pizza last night (Friday) 1810, sat outside as we were on a dog walk, no heaters working but we stuck with it.

We had to go inside to get our own menus and act as - 'hint' we might like to have our order taken. Starte arrives with beers, fine if a little solw, half way through eating starters arrives again! Sent back we already had them.

We then waited 40minutes, shared them twice as to when we might get Pizzas, mmmmm, eventually we left, there s a hint in the name Pizza 'Express' this is not - to be fair manager waived the bill, so beer and starters on the house, with a promise of something in the post as compo, probably more vouchers!

I said roll on Alderley Edge branch opening, he indicated that this is now not until 2013 - interesting comment.

5   Great place for the family

I live very near the restaurant and have visited it alot. There has been isolated incidents where the service has been slow but generally it is very good and the pizza is great too. very good value for money but does get very bizzy.

great buzz to the place and friendly staff.

1   PizzaExpress

As a family we frequently eat at PizzaExpress in Wilmslow. It has always been a venue that managed to bridge the gap between providing food that children would eat and an environment that adults could feel like adults in rather than children's entertainer.

However, despite the nice location and bright and cheery space, in recent months something has gone wrong.

The first sign that something was up was when friends went early one Saturday evening in September and reported back about appalling and slow service.

On our subsequent visit we didn't fare much better. The food took ages to arrive and when it did the Pizzas were soggy. I sent mine back and the replacement wasn't much better.

We persevered and last Friday we went again. However, things had not improved. It was very busy and we were a large party.

The main courses took an hour and 20 minutes to arrive, starters were ok but one was burnt. The pizzas were again slightly soggy, but having waited so long we ate them rather than returning them.

The manager, or at least I think he was the Manager, did not come near our table and as we were leaving he hid himself away.

We wont be going back any time soon.

It seems incredible in the current economic climate that a business can get away with such poor service.

4   Good, especially at half price

My family really enjoy going to Pizzaexpress, though both the service and food can be hit and miss.

Today however it was good. The lady who served us was very friendly and efficient and the pizzas were spot on. Even the children cleared their plates, which doesn't happen very often.

We had a voucher for half price pizzas which made it even more enjoyable. The half price pizza sale is for two weeks only, finishing on Jan 17th I believe. Vouchers can be downloaded from www.pizzaexpress-offers.co.uk/.