It's been closed while work has been going on behind the scenes on giving it a makeover but now Pizza Express has re-opened in Jesmond and is looking rather different.
Opening its doors 54 years after the first Pizza Express restaurant opened in the UK, the new-look Pizza Express restaurant in Osborne Road builds on the original vision of company founder, Peter Boizot, stemming from his simple ethos – to bring people together over great pizza and good times through shared passions – food, drink, music and creativity.
A new portrait of Peter takes pride of place in the Jesmond pizzeria in celebration of the man who first introduced pizza to the UK in 1965.
The restaurant now has a completely different feel to it, as a result of its extensive makeover, which you can see in the gallery below.
Its new 'open kitchen' takes centre-stage at the heart of the pizzeria, bringing the theatre and authenticity of PizzaExpress’ craft to the fore.
Surrounded by festoon lighting that highlights the expert pizzaiolos at work as they flare the dough, white marble tables are dotted around the dining area, creating an intimate experience for up to 144 diners.
Teal, yellow and rose furnishings compliment the re-design further and make the space even more warm and inviting.
PizzaExpress Jesmond is also home to the brand-new fresh Autumn menu, which sees the return of the Calzone!
Coming in hot, the Calzone ‘Nduja includes spicy, soft ‘nduja sausage, pepperoni, Roquito peppers, red chilli and hot green peppers, with tomato, mozzarella and topped with pancetta and gran Milano cheese. Vegetarians and vegans are catered for as well as the Calzone Verdure is bursting with roasted peppers, aubergines and courgettes, with spinach, smoky tomato harissa, tomato, chilli and garlic oil.
Laura Ramsey, PizzaExpress Jesmond Pizzeria Manager said: “We’re excited to welcome our Jesmond superfans back to our stylish new pizzeria, which now showcases the kitchen at its heart, designed to allow our customers watch our talented pizzaiolos make their pizza freshly handmade to order.
"Our refurbishment has come at an especially exciting time as we bring back the calzone, which features on our brand new Autumn menu and gives loyal customers the chance to the slice up and devour one of the best ways to enjoy pizza and have good times, together with us in our brand-new pizzeria.”
