Pizza Express Victoria Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

During our stay in Belfast we tried two Pizza Express, one of our favorite chains in the UK and Ireland for casual meals.

This time around we went to Pizza Express Victoria Square after having been to the one on Bedford Street.
 
The architecture was completely different. Victoria Square is a very modern shopping mall and one of the best designed in the country, so the Pizza Express was also contemporary and flooded with day light.

It was already busy, but we hadn't any problems getting a table.
 
We ordered one Elderflower Presse, one orange juice, two hot chocolates, one Leggaria Pizza ad Astra, one Leggaria Pomodoro Pesto, one Leggaria chocolate cheese cake and one Toffee Fudge Glory.

Comparing the chocolate cheese cake with the one from Pizza Express Bedford Street it seemed slightly sweeter at Victoria Square.

It was the first time ever we have been asked our preference for hot chocolate at a Pizza Express outlet (more milk or more cocoa).

The cost was 44 GBP (ca. 56.35 Euro or ca. 70.30 USD).
 
Service was attentive, but in our opinion slightly too personal. But, that's a personal thing, many others might enjoy the attention.

We will return should we be at Victoria Square again in our future.

©2014

Pizza Express Bedford Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

During our stay in Belfast we went to Pizza Express, Bedford Street on the evening we arrived. This outlet was just across the street from our hotel the Holiday Inn (see also review).

We liked the architecture of the fully restored building. The Pizza Express was in a classic building with three floors and had exposed brick walls.

The staff was warm and efficient at the same time. The restaurant was extremely busy.

We ordered Sicilian lemonade, a raspberry lemonade, Pizza Pollo ad Astra, Pollo Pesto al Forno and as side dish broccolini with chilli flakes and Parmesan. All dishes were very good.

The highlight was the dessert, a Leggaria chocolate cheesecake.

We paid 36 GBP or ca. 46.10 Euro or 57.55 USD.

All dishes with the name Leggaria are more health conscious than the normal range on the menu.

We like Pizza Express's initiative to offer lower calorie and gluten free products.

Another reason is the good value and consistency - no matter where we went to so far be it in the UK or Ireland (Pizza Express took over the Milano chain, but didn't change the name.), we always received good service and good food.

We will visit this branch and others in the future again.

©2014

Restaurant Milano Dublin, Ireland

Milano is a staple in our life since we are living in Dublin. There are three outlets one at Temple Bar, one at the IFSC and one at Dawson Street.

We came fresh back from Dubai and wanted originally go to the one at Temple Bar, but the restaurant had closed for renovation, so we went to the next convenient location which is at Dawson Street.

During the Celtic Tiger we wanted to try Milano at Dawson Street, but were told at the time they were fully booked and no table was available. The space was essentially empty, so we felt they didn't want our business and had avoided this branch until now, essentially a few years past since then.

This time around we were greeted warmly and immediately brought to a table. The restaurant was buzzing and had undergone a renovation. The walls depicted famous Irish writers, like James Joyce, and excerpts from their books or poems.

We decided to have a bottle of still water, two orange juice, one Risotto Fresco, one Pizza Romana Pollo ad Astra, and as dessert two scoops of ice cream (strawberry and chocolate) and one summer fruit pudding. There was a special offer we took avail off. Our green tea and hot chocolate were free, because we ordered dessert.

As always Milano wasn't a let-down. The staff was friendly, efficient and knowledgeable, for example one of us chose a different pizza after he was advised the one he had in mind was very spicy, as in too spicy. Good choices were made.

Our bill was 50.45 Euro (ca. 63 USD).

We will return again if we are looking for a good and freshly made pizza.

©2014