Gourmet Italia, With #VirAtPizzaExpress!

What? 

An Italian Evening to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Year of PizzaExpress, with #VirAtPizzaExpress because we had #EazyDinerAtPizzaExpress too!

When?

Sunday, December 13.

Where?

PizzaExpress, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj.

Exclusivity always makes you feel special, doesn't it? Last weekend was no different as two of us were made to feel special. One, Pizzaiolos at PizzaExpress as they had their ideal in the business, Mr. Vir Sanghvi, visiting them to critique as well as applaud their efforts on their #NewMenuLaunch. Two, Yours Truly, who had been invited to be among the first ones alongside the ace food reviewer to treat my taste buds to an exclusive and exhaustive offering.

This #NewMenuLaunch was in continuation to the #PizzaiolosFavourites Golden Jubilee Feast, though this time Eazy Diner was collaborating with them to conceptualize an elaborate five-course meal! :)

A visit to the Vasant Kunj outlet was a first for me, and I must admit that I found it more tastefully done than the Gurgaon outlet. What captured my fancy, at first sight, were these plated wall murals with digitized faces of the Pizzaiolos who are employed at the outlet itself. Quite a novel gesture, there!

The socialmedialovin' card from Eazy Diner and Pizza Express was there to remind us to share the foodie love lest we lose ourselves to the gourmet delights that the New Menu had, to offer.

While waiting for Vir to arrive, on offer were the Intro Platter, consisting of an assorted mix of salted cashew nuts, smoked almonds and BBQ beans, Spagheni di Pollo, served alongside olives and watermelon slices and Rosemary Garlic Pizza Bread. 

It was an honor and privilege to witness Mr. Vir Sanghvi gracing the occasion as not only is he a household name now with his column in HT Brunch but also, he had judged Yours Truly, where she had penned a travelogue encompassing an Egyptian sojourn for the erstwhile Food and Travel Carnival held by Blogmint and chosen it as a Weekly Winner too. :) 

Being a co-founder and Lead Critic at Eazy Diner, Vir spoke about how they aim to showcase a member restaurant in its shining glory, serving good food and treasuring countless experiences. 

He pointed out how most Pizza chains in India are of American descent, most classic cases-in-point being Domino's and Pizza Hut. 

To bring back and establish the homegrown Italian style Pizzerias, we had Pizza Express to fall back on. He wished that everyone present would enjoy the evening (sure did!) and ended his note with a 'Happy Eating!' :) 

To follow, of course, was the traditional ribbon cutting to officially inaugurate the New Menu commemorating #50YearsOfPizzaExpress. 

And, there it was on each table - the New Menu launched by Pizza Express. Does it make the perfect gift by Pizzaiolos? I think it does. 

True to their formidable 'Pizza In Style Since 1965...' we then started with the many gorgeous elements of the meal that evening. Each dish was unique, to be liked, loved or critiqued by Vir and bloggers! :) 

The first dishes of the evening were marked by Ramiro Al Forno - bell peppers - and Spiedini di Gambero - prawns on skewers. That was just the trailer as the show had just begun. 

The most indulgent starter, however, came in the form of Cicchetti - Emilgrana and Mushroom Dip. The dip was as creamy as it should have been - just perfect. Pizza Express's signature doughballs added to its charm! :)

Next up was the indulgent Pear Salad coupled with Chips, which seemed too sweet owing the fruit yet slightly bitter owing to the chips, on the palate. Given a chance, it would be the one dish I would choose to skip from the evening's meal as it seemed too complex in its individuality. 

The Pizza Platter was up next, consisting of five baked treats. Sassi and Formaggi 65 were the two classics while Il Padrino 65 and Padana were more of a  feast. Calabrese, on the other hand, had a surprise in its presentation. It boasts of being the only RECTANGULAR Pizza on the Menu!

The Pastas on the Menu lent a unique flavor to the meal too. One of them was Penne con Poppadew while the other was a flavorful Risotto. 

To draw the sumptuous meal to an end, we had a heavenly conclusion in the form of a Dessert Platter, consisting of Tiramisu, Banoffee and Pizza Express's signature Cheesecake! :D

I was delighted to have been invited to such a momentous occasion as #50YearsOfPizzaExpress and would always wish that the pioneers in casual dining at its finest, continue to scale the horizons and multiple such milestones as well. :) 

On #PizzaiolosFavourites Golden Jubilee Feast!

What?

Tasting of an exclusive #PizzaiolosFavourites menu, curated to celebrate the Golden Jubilee Year of PizzaExpress. 

When? 

Friday, August 28. 

Where? 

PizzaExpress, Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. 

Celebrations are always special. For they commemorate momentous occasions. 

What if I tell you that an exclusive preview invitation had been extended to Yours Truly by the brand that knows casual dining at its finest? 

PizzaExpress wanted me to give them company at the novel Chef's Table which had been curated in the form of a new Menu, #PizzaiolosFavourites - to earmark #50YearsOfPizzaExpress. 

Early Friday evening, I found myself facing the facade of Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. The place was not new at all. I made a beeline for my most favorite Italian Dining Restaurant in the entirety of the complex. 

The said outlet - PizzaExpress - emanated a different glow that day. The excitement of hosting a Milestone Birthday Party, eh Pizzaiolos? ;) 

~~~ 

Well, be it any restaurant, you take your pick by scanning the menu, right? This time, it was a bit different for me. Since this menu had been specifically curated for the evening, the entire spread was on offer. 

There are some key points to PizzaExpress's popularity and its impressive functioning. 

• Delicious, Fresh Food, Handmade To Order. They take their ingredients seriously, with many of them, especially their signature Tomato Passata, all sourced from Italy. 
• Local Influence. Their restaurants are designed to feel unique and culturally engaged in the community, not being a 'cookie-cutter' chain. 
• Inspired By Italy. They have used the same Passata, sourced from the Greci Family in Italy since 1965 and proudly showcase 'Authentic Italian' in their restaurants. 
• Pizzaiolos Are Their Heroes. Their Pizza Chefs are trained in the art of dough-flaring in their open kitchen, a glimpse of which, Yours Truly was fortunate enough to catch Find it towards the closing of this post, though. :)  

~~~ 

The evening thus began with a myriad-hued Mocktails Spread, which impressed the teetotaller in me. More so, as those had all fruity and nutritive ingredients. 

Those are Tropical (Watermelon, Mint, Lemon), Zenzero Fresca (Carrot, Orange Juice, Ginger, Lemon Juice) and Ginger Fresca (Fresh Ginger, Mint, Green Lime, Ginger Ale) for you. 

To take the meal forward, I had the Intro Platter, comprising of an assorted mix of salted cashew nuts, smoked almonds and BBQ beans and the Antipasto Starters (Veg/Non-Veg variants). 

All of them had been carefully cooked to perfection. 

~~~ 

The surprise element for the evening was yet to come in. After all, what's a celebration sans any surprises? 

The Pizzaiolo in action, Pizza Chef Rahul made sure that we were divided into five separate teams and experienced being a Pizzaiolo at PizzaExpress the same evening. 

We were greeted by a hands-on Pizza Making session from the A to the Z. 

Chef Rahul was quick to demonstrate the tricks of the trade. 

And that jar, in the bottom, is the Tomato Passata Sauce being utilized at the outlet. :) 

Would you like to see how Yours Truly and Team made their Romana Pizza at #PizzaiolosFavourites? 

Roll your Dough, Layer the Passata, Top it over generously, 

That's my perfect guide to Pizza Delight, All Heavenly! :) 

Here's presenting to you, All Heaven's Delight, comprising of Chicken chunks, Olives, Mushrooms, Pepperoni, Mozzarella, and Bell Peppers, that earned me the 'Professional' tag at the Chef's Table. I was humbled. :) 

~~~ 

The only art left to ace, was that of dough-flaring. 

Well, I'd leave that to the Pizzaiolos as that is also one of #PizzaiolosFavourites. ;) 

~~~ 

Thanks for all the Pizza Love, Team PizzaExpress. 

I had a lot of moments to 'cheese' and to frame in the 'Cheese Your Moment' #PizzaiolosFavourites Photo Magnet. :) 

~~~