If you eat gluten free, going out to cafes and restaurants can be stressful. From worries about cross contamination, to the fear that there might be nothing you can eat on the menu, most of the time it seems easier to stay at home. Fast food chains are notoriously bad (looking at you, McDonalds), but Pizza Express is a safe haven for coeliacs and the gluten intolerant.
Every evening, my partner asks the dreaded question: “what do you want to have for tea?” Normally I respond with the usual “I don’t mind!” But this fateful Sunday, we decided to go out.
After scouring Google as always, I came across some great reviews for Pizza Express. Checking on their website, their menu stated that any of their pizzas could be made with a gluten free base, so we had to go try it out.
Staff were attentive and helpful on arrival, with our waitress reassuring me that they did in fact have GF options. The atmosphere and décor were lovely, it was rather quiet for a Sunday evening. As well as all their types of pizza and pasta able to be made gluten free, the menu also boasted GF doughballs, halloumi bites and chicken wings. Safe to say I was impressed!
For drinks, I tried the new Hugo cocktail, which was refreshing and delicious. They also offer gluten free beer if that’s more your thing.
Spoilt for choice, I ended up choosing the Pollo Pancetta pizza with a side of halloumi bites. Every dish that is gluten free is served on black crockery so as not to get mixed up with other dishes and I was given my own pizza wheel to avoid cross contamination. I can’t remember the last time I felt so safe and stress-free at a restaurant.
The pizza base was thin and crispy, just the way I like it. It didn’t leave that grainy feeling in my mouth that so many GF products do. The toppings were delicious, but personally I would have liked a bit more cheese (I always want a bit more cheese). The halloumi bites were perfection, the only problem was there wasn’t more of them!
With just enough room left for pudding, I went for the GF chocolate brownie with vanilla gelato. It was heavenly. Again, no weird grainy taste in my mouth. Teach me your ways, Pizza Express!
The staff at the Stirling store were amazing and everything was reasonably priced. I will definitely be returning soon!
Feature image: Pexels.com
Film, media and journalism student. I like writing about my inability to eat gluten.
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