PizzaExpress is celebrating the launch of its exciting new look restaurant in Uckfield High Street which has fascinating artwork, including framed black and white photographs from the 1900’s, with real pressed foliage and flowers collaged over the prints.
Drawing inspiration from the town’s nearby famous Picture House, and from local nature reserves, there is also a hand painted wall mural with 3D brass butterflies and flowers, “projected” out of a vintage Paillard Bolex cine camera.
The transformation of the restaurant also includes a new wooden floor, contemporary paint scheme, new tiling and feature pendant lighting, all enhancing the Uckfield guests’ dining experience. The courtyard garden area also has also been rejuvenated to become more of a key feature.
On entering the restaurant, our first visit since the makeover, we were struck by two things. Firstly, how busy it was for a midweek early evening and secondly, by the excited buzz that filled the room – not only from the customers but also from the staff.
They obviously love their new look restaurant and that shows in their extremely friendly manner, their attentive (but not too over the top) service and their enthusiasm to share the story of the unique design concepts with their customers.
PizzaExpress has been dishing up fresh, handmade pizza to Uckfield since 2001 and recently some new specials have been launched. This includes, for the first time in PizzaExpress’ 51 year history, a Hawaiian pizza. Of course, with such an historic event we decided to try it and, by using sweet chilli pineapple chutney with salty prosciutto crudo, red onion, garlic oil, Gran Milano cheese and mozzarella, we are very happy to report that they have managed to create a tasty but subtle version of the traditional favourite.
Another unique offering is the rectangular Calabrese pizza. The waitress was kind enough to check that we were aware that this pizza is one of the more “fiery” offerings on the menu, and how right she was. With soft ‘nduja sausage and spicy Calabrese sausage D.O.P and with fresh red chilli, Roquito peppers, roasted red and yellow peppers, there is plenty there to spice it up and it’s finished off with light mozzarella, rocket, pesto and Gran Milano cheese – a sure fire winner!
For younger pizza-lovers, the PizzaExpress’ Piccolo menu is full of tasty choices and offers a, very reasonably priced, three course meal with drinks. Our son took no time at all to order Baked Dough Balls, followed by the American (Pepperoni) pizza with a Gelato Sundae with his new favourite, the Bambinoccino – Frothed milk with a sprinkle of chocolate powder.
As the Uckfield High Street improvements head towards completion, making the whole area a lot more “pedestrian friendly” and with their close association with the Tesco Clubcard scheme, making their food even more affordable, the new look restaurant is surely going to get busier and busier. Manager, Brendan Kavanagh, said, “We love our restaurant’s new look and we have a friendly and enthusiastic team who are looking forward to welcoming everyone over a delicious pizza.”
For more details visit www.pizzaexpress.com/uckfield
