Pizza Express

It's OK, really. Better than the average 'fast food' place, and whilst it's never a quick place to eat, I prefer a leisurely meal anyway, so no fuss there. The last meal I had here was very tasty, and served carefully and with gentle good grace and humour. My only real issue with the place is that it's noisy - basically a large box with lots of hard surfaces, so boisterous conversations and laughter tend to make quick a crescendo. You could do a lot worse! If you're driving, it's also right next to a car park, which I guess is handy.

This is our local branch and we've visited a few times, usually when there have been 2 for 1 vouchers in the paper. It seems to get worse each time we visit. Though the food is all right (nothing spectacular, but adequate), the service is dreadful.

Don't come here if you're in a hurry. Service is slow at the best of times (allow up to two hours for a three-course meal, even when it's quiet). Nor should you come here if you're celebrating something special. The attitude of the staff will counteract any joie de vivre you might have felt before you came through the door. On one occasion, a waitress sat us behind a pillar and forgot about us. We waited almost half an hour for our order to be taken. On another visit, we were seated, then moved, then moved again, as staff conferred about reservations. You'd think that might result in the offer of a free drink by way of apology, but no. Customer service standards just aren't that high.

Less than a minute's walk round the corner is the River Kwai Thai restaurant. It's great. For friendly, speedy service, try eating there instead.