Growing up, I’ve never fully enjoyed going to big, extravagant restaurants. Sure they’re nice but I’ve always preferred calmer restaurants, places where you can take your family and friends and eat a nice, laid back meal.

So I went to Pizza Express in Festival Walk. As I was walking up to the restaurant, I could see the towering white umbrella like contraptions which gave the entire place an outdoor feel. The light that came through the huge glass window brightened up the whole environment. Sitting in the open area, you can immediately smell the fragrance of freshly baked pizza and that gives off a very comfortable atmosphere which makes customers want to sit down and enjoy their food.

The first thing we ate were the dough ball appetizers, served with pesto and various other sauces. Reds, greens and yellows in little dishes were scattered around the plate, like flowers in a field. With the first bite, I felt the soft, chewy dough in my mouth, and my taste buds erupted with the salty flavours. Next, we had the penne bolognaise, the pasta was well cooked, slightly soft but not soggy although there were huge pieces of minced beef in the sauce, and clumps were strewn across the dish. After that, we had the American pizza, pepperoni and herbs were littered over the large pizza as we each reached for a slice. The sticky layer of cheese stretched and separated as we bit into the pizza, they were like loose strings being cut off by a blunt pair of scissors. The crust was the most delicate I have ever had, it crumbled under my fingers and was crisp and crunchy in my mouth. For dessert, we had the dough balls served with nutella. Icing powder was not simply sprinkled onto the dough balls, like mountains of snow sitting on each dough ball.

Overall the experience was pleasant and though it is not my favorite place, I would come again with my friends or family for a meal in the future.

Being interviewed is always a great honour, but also a huge pressure. Today, I suffered from the over-anxiety due to the interview in the afternoon, which actually wasn't as important as I thought before.

Mum suggested to go to the Festival Walk for lunch, and I would go to the University myself to have the interview.

As there was no queue outside Pizza Express, unlike the one nearby, we quickly sought for seats in Pizza Express.

It was the first time to have lunch near the open kitchen, though we had already dined in here for many times. I was quite delighted about it since dishes could be delivered as soon as the chef was ready to send out them. =) (Hot and fresh dishes usually taste better, except those iced desserts. )Same as the branch located at the Ocean Terminal, 15% off discount is offered if customers pay their bills before 12:30 pm. It was unfortunately 12:45 p.m.

The theme of specials for this month is avocado. The new Primavera Romana Pizza is quite attractive. Four different spring ingredients are located at the four quarters of the pizza, just like the Four Season Pizza. It definitely suits food lovers, who love trying special things, like me! Yet, I couldn't order this today since I couldn't allow the interviews to see my huge belly under by the tight formal skirt after I finished half of the pizza....Once we saw the set lunch menu, I 'wow' for the increased price, which became even more expensive than that in the Ocean Terminal branch -- the tourists' area. The OT branch offers HK$5x for light lunches while this branch costs us HK$79. Besides, all desserts in the dessert menu could be ordered if diners added an extra HK$20 in this branch months ago, however, we now have to pay HK$25 for desserts with limited choices, which are Tiramisu, Cheesecake and Chocolate Fudge Cake. (These three are the classics of Pizza Express.)They are still cheaper than the original price marked in the a la carte, though.Therefore, I thought that an executive lunch was more economical than an light lunch but mum insisted on ordering 1 light lunch (HK$79)and 1 executive lunch(HK$88). (She explained that she had to take care my stomach.) We had our beloved entree Baked Mushrooms with the main course, Salmon Affumicato, and the other main course, Fusilli al Funghi.

We were surprised that the Baked mushrooms was quickly delivered a few minutes after the order: It was not dough balls as before, but instead, dough sticks were provided. It didn't matter as they were actually come from the same kind of dough. The dough sticks were soft, maybe a bit spongy (spongy? it wasn't a piece of cake...). Dough made by Pizza Express is always satisfying. I really want to have it all day. =p Yet, the dough sticks were not hot. They were just warm, and the mushrooms too. The dish was believed to be ready earlier. Maybe the mushrooms should be belong to other customers, who later cancelled them. Despite of the juicy, cheesy baked mushrooms with nice pesto, they were not aromatic and perfect enough after being cooled.Unlimited Iced lemon tea ordered by mum was received between meals. It was as tasteless as a glass of water. It is said that in some occasions, extremely economical stuffs are not worth to try. It is damn true.Salmon Affumicato: To our surprise, smoked salmon was filled with the whole piece of (half-portion) pizza. It was the largest piece ever since we dined in here. The pizza crust was hot enough as it was straightly delivered from the oven ^^. Like what I expected, the edges of the crust was crispy and biscuity while the centre was soft. Though the pizza crust was quite hot, the salmon had not yet cooked. It kept its creaminess and became fresher with lemon juices. The oiliness of salmon was also reduced as the fish oil was partly soaked in the pizza dough. Cream cheese increased the smooth texture, and the mozzarella was definitely an essential element in every pizza, resulting wonderful molten cheesy 'string'. However, it would be more aromatic if there was more dill.

The mixed salad accompanied was okay, quite fresh, but I would like to have balsamic dressing, instead of their thick and cloudy house dressing.Fusilli al Funghi: I didn't like PizzaExpress's pasta at all because the pasta was usually overcooked. Today, the fusilli was unexpectedly al dente. I believed that the chef might start boil the pasta once after the order or it was cooked under hard water. (Mum doesn't like al dente pasta as it is a bit hard to her, like many Hongkong diners.) Fusilli smelt good too, due to the distinct, aromatic truffle oil and fried wild mushrooms. All the extracts were absorbed into the pasta, and the olive oil effectively assisted all ingredients to be mixed well. Cooked in perfection.

By the way, in the old lunch menu, a small piece of garlic flatbread was provided in the pasta set, but this time, we didn't receive any. It may never give any complimentary bread in the future, I think. Sigh.As I was going to attend an interview, my stomach could not stand for extra desserts. (/__\) I wanted to order latte, but I was afraid that my mouth would be filled with coffee aroma when I talked. "Just hot lemon water would be fine."my mom said.

As soon as I finished the cup of lemonade, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach again. Did those butterflies become more energetic after this full meal?

(9th May, 2012)

It had been a while since i last saw my friend, so we decided to meet each other and have lunch. Turns out he already booked a table before coming to pick me up therefore we didnt have to wait for a table.

It seems as if we had been forgotten, however we were quickly led to a round table which was originally meant for 4 people. We ordered the San Remo Salad (avocado, salad, tomatoe, pine nuts and some creamy sauce) as well as the mushroom fusilli and shared it. Luckily the food only took about 10 minutes to arrive. My friend also ordered an iced lemon tea which appeared to have been forgotten about as it never cam.

The salad was actually really good. It was originally with pancetta, but since i don't eat meat, we told them to not put it. The creamy sauce was a perfect match fo the avocado and pine nuts. Not very "italian" but it's a nice twist.

The mushroom fusili was also very delicious, it was a little cold but I didn't mind too much. The mushrooms were absolutely scrumptious and the cream sauce was lovely. I really liked it.

The waiters regularly filled up the water and didn't take too long bringing the bill which was good. However it was quite noisy with crying children and loud groups, not to mention the passer-bys with the whole fake al-fresco thing going on (i got a tan!!!). Overall it was an enjoyable experience.

Ordered the meatball fettucine, burrata with tomato slices and the 3 dessert set. Was very excited about the burrata dish becoz I read from a magazine that flow of juice will come out once u poke a fresh burrata!! But then my first burrata experience was disappointedly plain. I guess they stored the burrata for too long so it became dry already... The tomato slices were surprisingly fresh and sweet tho! The meatball fettucine is so-so, might taste better if more salt was added.Highlight of the meal was the 3-dessert platter. We picked tiramistu, choc cake and cheese cake and all of them were super tasty. The tiramistu was intoxicating with a strong scent of coffee and alcohol which matched perfectly with the smooth mascarpone cheese. The choc cake was moist and the cheesecake was rich and I love that it carried a subtle salty note.Will defo return!! Mayb for the desserts!!

It was my father birthday, I want to bring him to try different food, because he only likes Chinese food. As I tried it many times, I found it's not bad but in other restaurant.

I went there earlier to quene it because fully booked, wait 1.5 hr, it's acceptable for me, because didn't book the table before. At 8:00 pm, the manager called me that we got a table, so we went there, but the table is mid of resturant, how can we put the baby car? (I request the area for baby car before). Then the writer asked us put the baby car 10m away our table... Of course, we didn't follow his "advise", just put it near put table but not disturb other people.

We ordered salad, bread, mushroom, pasta, penne, 2 pizza, after I ordered, I asked him give us 3 glasses water because it's missing when we sit in. After 15 mins, the water still not there, so I asked another waiter, 15 mins later, still not there. So, I asked third writer, fortunately, she remember our request another 15 mins later, I really don't understand why it takes long time to take the water, there was not many customer, maybe it's free.

For the food, only salad, bread and mushroom are the most delicious. The pizza, pasta and penne are very bad, it's very very hard, my parents can't eat it at all, even for us, the taste is totally different other pizza express (eg TST, taikoo, central) So we ordered another pasta for them and request more sauce, hope that can help them, but it takes 40 mins to get it, I really don't understand why it takes that long time...

When we ask the bill, my mum told her opinion to the writer, he is very impolite and didn't respect my mum's opinion, 100% sure he will not talk to mgr about my mum's opinion. Of course, I wrote my opinion on the survey card, I guess it will be in the bin after the writer take it.

Pizza Express is one of my favourite places to eat in the UK. However this branch of Pizza Express in Kowloon Tong is NOT what Pizza Express should be like. I really hate the fact that this is in the middle of Festival Walk, so much so it actually makes me angry. The restaurant would be much better if it was enclosed and not trying to fake "al fresco"

Pizza Express in HK has a mark up from the UK obviously just because it is "western" However I am happy to pay the mark up because I like the food. The menu is the same as the UK branches pretty much with a few minor changes to suit Asian tastes.

The tables in this branch are a bit small, specially as they insist on giving you an extra plate so you can share your food. This is a let down because I would like to be asked if I am sharing my food not for it to be assumed I am sharing my food with everyone on my table. I am not. I ordered for myself so I will eat for myself. The UK Branches do not have this issue.

The service in this branch was ok, we were sat inside so the staff had to pass us regularly so our drinks were frequently topped up and orders taken quickly.

Once the food arrived it did not disappoint, it was just like being back home eating Pizza Express. If your looking to eat proper pizza, Pizza Express is probably the best place to head to to avoid disappointment. However I would suggest booking a table as we had to wait 90 minutes for our table ( I only did this because I hate everywhere else in Festival Walk)

Only real criticisms for this branch is its location and the extremely long wait time and the huge mark up from UK prices. Worked out to be 3x more expensive for a meal for 2.

its my first time to eat in pizza express!
we (4 ppl) ordered 3 dishes:
1 chicken caesar salad
its was reli gd! the small bread are like lil mushrms!
the dressing is of the right amount!
2 salmon pizza
there are 6 pcs tgt!
the salmons are kinda overcooked n i don quite like the "cream" under the salmon...
but overall its still tasty
3 seafood spaghetti w tomato sauce
i forgot the name pizza express called it
again, its reli gd...the tomato sauce wasnt sour n not too sweet!
if i needa pick on sth, it would be their portion!
it should be bigger. at least the pizza shud be of 8 slices!
$85 per person for the above dishes !

Ate dinner there the other night with a group of friends.
All 4 people had to wait for about 45 minuites for a table.
Ordered a meal for 4 people the salad was good however the pizza was a disapointment.

The pizza was too thin and the paste was burn. The pizza was really greezy and we had to remind the waitress about our pizza.

There was unlimited refill on tea however the waiter/ waitress (all 4 people) were busy eating at a table behind the reception area.
Hello we were waiving them non stop along with other other who were asking for some kind of service.

The tea was basically sweet water. NO TEA or no taste just sugar water with colour.
Major disapointment and a suprise they offer us additional sugar water to add.

The bread doug was a disapointment and the garlic bread had no garlic taste just big to fill your stomach.

We really felt like refuse to pay the 10% service charge because there was no service come on it should be optional if you want to pay service charge. Fine its a standard charge and we pay additional for great service but for poor or no service why should I pay?

The service and food was greatly gone down the drain. I should say there is no service.

I went to the Pizza Express in Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong as it would be more convenient to my friends. We did not book a table so we queue up after the small line. A while later we were brought to the table in the outdoor area.TBH I don't really like the setting there, the outdoor section isn't very Pizza Express.(It is pretty hard to explain, its just my perception of Pizza Express doesnt suit festival walk's kind of outdoor area)

The Menu stand on the table was promoting a new kind of pizza called Leggera Pizza. The picture is appealing with a big tagline of "Lighter Pizza with only 550 Calories!", so we ordered Margherita Leggera and Burschetta al pomodoro as starter.

Burachetta Al Pomodoro
The Burachetta Al Pomodoro dish looks as appealing as its description with a fantastic taste. It is a freahly baked Dough with tomatoes, red onions, basil, garlic and pesto Genovese.

Margharita Leggera
When the pizza is delievered to us, we were shocked by the appearance of the pizza. There was a hole in the middle of the pizza and was replaced by some salad, which explained the drop in calories of the pizza...We kind of have a feeling that we were being deceived as the menu didnt state the reason for the calories lost. Anyhow the pizza still taste good, just if we knew they are cutting a hole and putting salad in it, we wouldn't forgo the lovely cripsy pizza for some stupid calories lost

*Update: The pizza menu now states Leggera is a lighter pizza with a hole in the center and some fresh salad in the hole.

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The American Chicken pizza is very hot and spicy- good for those with well trained taste buds but watch out if you have children! The almond pie with figs is quite special, but remember to put your cream cheese on the pie before you eat it, otherwise, it's a bit plain and fatty if you just eat the cream cheese alone after you have finished your almond pie.