'Pizza Express' is a typical Italian restaurant offering delicious pizza and pasta dishes. Many of the restaurants interiors have been designed with an Italian feel which adds to the ambiance of this restaurant chain, and your experience at 'Pizza Express'.

'Pizza Express' is probably the restaurant I tend to go to most often, maybe that's because the food is so good, the prices are reasonable, the waiters friendly, or maybe just because they are the restaurant that has the most promotional offers and vouchers so I can try to save a little bit of money when I dine out.

All these points make 'Pizza Express' a wonderful restaurant to dine in. To start with, the choice on the menu's is plentiful. There's a variety of pizza dishes, and pasta dishes, along with those that are suitable for vegetarians. Though I'm not vegetarian I might like to see more options, though this is a thought I have from most restaurants. I find vegetarian food healthier and full of taste, just a shame I've now had every vegetarian option on the menu.

Starters are a substantial size, I tend to go for the dough balls which are always served to a high standard and with a small pot of butter so you can add additional flavour to your dough balls. The garlic bread is always tasty, even if it is a little greasy, you'll be using your nap kin a lot if you go for the garlic bread. Bruschettas are always lovely and topped off nicely and there's a variety of toppings to go for, adding something different to your pallet each time you go so you won't ever get bored for the food!

On to the main course and you're a little spoiled for choice, from the mild pizza's to the hot and spicy ones. To those with lots of vegetables to those with more meat and those with olives, anchovies and other exotic toppings, you'll find something for everyone. Pizzas are served as a standard size, though from my experience 'Pizza Express' is very flexible. As they prepare and cook all their food from fresh you can ask pizzas to be made smaller if you are catering for young children; it's a nice family touch which makes you feel like they care about your time at the restaurant. The portion sizes are always just right, and very rarely do I, or those I am in company with, leave anything. I like it that they have got this right because it means you don't have to pay for wasted food, and you don't see any food being wasted. The pasta dishes are usually served very hot so just be careful not to burn your mouth. Once you can take your first mouthful though, the cheese sauce, or whatever sauce you have for that matter is very tastefully done, not too overpowering, and not too creamy. It seems these days some restaurants think cream makes everything taste so much better, thank goodness 'Pizza Express' doesn't!

Desserts, if you can manage one after your starter and main course, come in all shapes and sizes. There's ice creams, sorbets, and cakes. Personally I love the ice cream, it's smooth and flavoursome. Though I'm not sure whether they make this themselves, if they do, then they have some expert chefs in the kitchens because it's truly delicious!

Prices you can expect to pay at 'Pizza Express' don't vary that much. You can expect £2 - £3 for starters, £6 - £10 for main courses with an additional £1.50 - £2 for side orders. Desserts are about £4 - £5 and drinks can be anywhere between £2 - £6. If you are going for an alcoholic drink I ought to mention that this is where they get you hard. Beers and wines are pretty expensive which I why I don't often tend to have an alcoholic beverage in the restaurant. Most pints start at £4, and glasses of wine on average are £5. If you do like wine with your meal I suggest buying a bottle which shared between friends is much cheaper than buying individual glasses.

If you are planning a really cheap night out, or are really just strapped for cash I recommend just a starter and main course. Choose dough balls, and Margareta along with a tap water (why not as it's free) and you can expect to pay about £7.50 for your meal. If however you like to overindulge, at the over end of the spectrum you could go for the full works; starter, main course with side orders, dessert and alcoholic beverage and you should be expecting to pay £16 - £20 which is pretty reasonable for a three course meal with extras!

I do like the staff at 'Pizza Express'. They aren't too pushy and are only doing their job when they ask if you would like side orders with your main course. They know the menu's inside out which is great when I'm a little puzzled by what's noted on the menu. I often get their opinion on foods as well as they do have good taste, though maybe this is just a coincidence, I don't believe they ensure that employees have a great sense of taste when offering them the job, but you never know. I tend to always tip when I go to 'Pizza Express' and for someone who doesn't like to tip I'd say that shows a lot; that they offer a pretty good service and make my evening at the restaurant calm, relaxed and memorable. The last three times I have been, I can still remember what I had and in what company I was in, and how the restaurant was.

Going back to the price of a meal, you can usually get a discount by searching around for some deals and vouchers on the internet; first stop is Mr Martin Lewis the money saving expert, he's always got a deal you can take advantage of. 'Pizza Express' always seem to have some promotion going on, whether it's the 'eat out for £10' option, including a starter, main, side order and drink, or the '2 for 1 Orange Wednesday' team up. Just get a text ticket for 'Orange Wednesday' and show this when paying for the bill, this way you can reduce your bill by as much as a half! I went all out the other week, and with this '2 for 1' deal it only cost my friend and I £8.50 each, and that was for a starter, main, and alcoholic beverage.

If you are yet to try out 'Pizza Express' I'd recommend it to anyone who is looking for good food, a nice and relaxed meal out with friends, and great customer service! The cost is pretty reasonable, and find some vouchers too and you're on to a winner. I hope your experience of 'Pizza Express' is as good as mine always is.