Our Piccolo Story Adventure at Pizza Express
[Ad-gifted] To celebrate the launch of Pizza Express’s partnership with Puffin Books, Pizza Express with a partnership with Mumsnet invited us over to their restaurant located at the iconic Corn Exchange area which is ideally situated in the heart of Manchester city centre, just walking distance of both Victoria train station and the Manchester Arena.
We were invited to try out their Piccolo Kid’s menu as well as to take part in their Piccolo Story Explorer activities which included getting our picture sketched by a local caricaturists.
We were told that guests to any of their restaurants will have chance to draw inspiration from the limited edition Piccolo Story Explorer activity pack and describe their family to the artists in their chosen style and setting who will then bring it to life right there and then.
So if you are as curious as we were when we heard this, do read on..
We totally loved the ambiance at Pizza Express here as its the first time we have been to Corn Exhange.
The atmosphere was so inviting and with plenty of room to move around and the staff were so friendly and accommodating. Its perfectly situated close to the shopping area and just 15 minutes walk away from Piccadilly Train station, which was convenient for us as we took the kids on the train as it was half term holidays.
We soon got ourselves seated at the restaurant and were greeted by Karolina the Assistant Manager who chatted with us and provided the kids with their Piccolo Story Explorer Activity pack which was great as it meant the kids were seated quietly reading and getting creative as they explored each and every activity in the pack. While this was going on, we adults had a quiet moment to look through the menu and ordered our food.
As we finished ordering our food, we were greated by Richard Ellis, a caricaturist who came by to say hello and he started sketching the kids portraits, he asked our kids how they would like their picture sketched and if they wanted to look a certain way. He barely took 8 minutes for each picture and worked very quickly..this was perfect as our kids don’t like to be sitting still for a long time.
He also sketched us adults and you can see more photos of this on our Facebook Page. We were told that we could keep the sketches and these were Free as well as part of the Pizza Express and Puffin Book tie-up. There will be a caricatirust present in every Pizza Express restaurant from now until the 16 June between 12noon and 2pm if you would like to get similar picture done with your family.
Just as he finished sketching, the kid’s food started to arrive. The Piccolo Menu had a varied selection to choose from. For a 3 course meal of starter, mains and dessert including a Bambinoccino, it only cost £6.95 per child. We added some cartons of juice for an extra £1.50 each.
For starters, our kids were served Baked Dough Balls which came with a mixed fresh salad of tomatoes and cucumber. The dough balls also came with garlic butter. This went down a treat as kids totally loved the dough balls.
For our mains we ordered our favourite Pizza which is the Pollo Forza, their pizza is the perfect size to be shared by two adults or one very hungry adult and this costs £14.30. The pizza toppings include chicken, smoked chilli, garlic oil and dried chilli flakes with red & yellow peppers, Roquito pepper, mozzarella and tomato, finished with Gran Milano cheese, fresh parsley and chilli oil. Not too spicy but it has a very nice spice kick to it if you want a little sizzle in your palette.
What did we think about the Piccolo Story Adventure at Pizza Express
We totally enjoyed our experience as we have been to Pizza Express many times before as its a family restaurant but noticed that with the Puffin partnership, Pizza Express has become an even more fun place to head to with the kids. We found that while we waited for our food, our kids were totally engaged in their Piccolo Story Explorer Activity Pack and this encourage them to get creative. The competition is also a great idea for the kids to get imaginative. The Kid’s Piccolo Food Menu was really varied and had a healthy selection for the little ones to choose from. Richard’s caricature of the kids and adults was excellent as well and we have that the picture up on our wall at home. All in all a fabulous day out for the whole family.
What is the campaign all about and how long will it be for?
- In-restaurant activity pack in the style of Dough Ball Times branded with PEX and Puffin
- Competition (online and in-restaurant) to win Puffin & PEX prizes: A drawing by Jeff Kinney of your family adventure and a year’s worth of books & pizza to be won
- The campaign was launched on 27th March and will run until 18th June.
How do I join the competition?
Step 1: Pick up The Story Explorers Adventure Journal in-restaurant or download their book cover template by using crayons/felt tips/tomato sauce… anything you like!
Step 2: Take a photo or ask an adult to take a photo of your masterpiece
Step 3: To enter, submit your details here by uploading your photo to the ‘Upload entry’ field. Good luck. See the full Ts&Cs, competition closes 18th June 2018
Where is Pizza Express in Corn Exchange?
What are their opening hours?
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** Note: This is a collaborative post, we were given a small fee and invited to Pizza Express in return for a feature of their food and activity. All opinions are our own.
39 comments
I think Pizza Express is so good with little ones, mine always enjoy going there! That looks like a really beautiful building too! 🙂
Yes it was a fabulous looking building and we always love it there too
This looks great, it’s a shame my daughter isn’t much of a fan of pizza.
They have other selection such as pasta and chicken salad too Nicola, so plenty of choices
That’s such a good price for the kids menu, and the caricature is such a nice touch x
Yes the price is worth it for the 3 course for the kids Rhian and yes the carucature was really fun
The Pizza Express in Manchester looks great and I like the wide range of choices on the menus for both adults and children. The Piccolo Story Explorer idea is a lovely way to keep the kids from getting bored whilst waiting for their food and of course, friendly staff always add to the experience. The caricatures look fun too!
Thanks for your lovely comments Emily, you are right its such a great idea and great menu selection so a winner all the way for us
Pizza Express is always so accommodating with little ones which makes it an easy choice for us when eating out.
Yes as they are occupied with their favourite foods and its a peacefull lunch / dinner time
Pizza express is always good, they really seem to go out of their way to provide healthy options. Certainly more than most chains.
Yes totally agree with you there John, they do provide the atmosphere and food options as well
Please tell me that £6.40 for two and not just one, even then I think that is still over priced for kopperbergs. The food looks great though I will just make sure when we visit our local I have water x
It was a large bottle 500ml for the £6.40, perfect to be shared by two people as it was a large glass for each of us as well. Oh yes we also had a jug of water and diet coke as well on the table. So plenty to drink.
I often head to Pizza Express when travelling with work as you always know you’re going to get good food in a relaxed setting. I am loving that they’ve got caricaturists in … that is definitely a huge draw!
C x
Yes totally, they are such a great family friendly restaurant and we always enjoy the food there
We are such fans of Pizza Express, they’re so family-friendly! I am loving their new campaign, how fun for the kids! x
Yes totally fun, and entertaining as well
I love pizza express they have so many good options food wise and they’re so family friendly! :))
Yes they are totally family friendly, that’s what we love about them
My Kids alwayd loved going to pizza express when they were younger, although they never used to have a childrens menu so would share pizzas
Ahh how times have changed now they are super kids friendly with lots of choices for the adults and kids as well.
My husband an I loves pizza so much! We both like bringing our son here soon!
Hope you do Angela, its a perfect family restaurant
My kids adore going to Pizza Express, I think they would love this !
We are sure they would Jenny
I haven’t been to Pizza Express in so long. We have one in my city I really must make the effort to go as I do love it 🙂 I always found them super family friendly which is a must for me when out with the smalls. I’m also loving the children dessert menu yummy 🙂
Hope you do get a chance to visit them soon Lynne, they have changed up their menu and also with the promotion, you could get your picture sketched up as well which is so much fun
Ooh we love Pizza Express and went to one last week for my youngest birthday tea! The children dessert is fab, they love that they get a little cup of milk with their brownie!
How wonderful to hear that Laura! We love their dessert as well, only wish we had room for it
We love Pizza Express, it’s fab for little ones isn’t it?
Yes totally Emma, we love it
Oh I lovvvve Pizza Express. I’m actually hoping to go there tomorrow night with the Mr to celebrate our anniversary. I’ve never taken my son before but it sounds like it’s great for kids too.
I’ve not been to pizza express for ages – what a great partnership
Yes it is Kara, totally fabulous!
I adore Pizza Express and so do the kids. I love the sound of this collaboration
Yes its a great collaboration, and such a win win situation for the patrons as well
My children love the kids menu there. It’s great as they get to have their own pizza with veg and doughballs and it’s about the right size for a children’s serving too. Sounds like the have a great competition on at the moment.
Yes ours love it too there Melanie and dough balls are one of their favourite things to eat now. The competition is great too and increases kid’s creativity