When the news of a new branch of Pizza Express in The Hub reached Total MK, naturally we wanted a pizza the action.
And so we made our way for a mid-week meal and found a restaurant positively buzzing.
Seemingly, we aren't the only ones partial to the brand.
Speed is of the essence here, and we are swiftly seated, furnished with menus and orders taken in record time.
A portion of Noci is shared. On the menu to whet our appetite, its yummy blend of salty, smoky almonds, cashews and coated, very crunchy chick peas is devoured with ease.
A quick turnaround delivers a portion of dough balls (a Pizza Express classic, the branch is expecting to serve 10,000 portions of the garlic butter dipping delights during the first month) and a bruschetta, generously drizzled with pesto.
They are staples of our visit to any branch, and we can tell a good 'un from a not so clever delivery, but The Hub branch is doing a swell job.
The Hub restaurant isn't the biggest branch we've ever visited, but its refurbishment belies that, giving a space of airiness.
The new branch has created 20 jobs, and those in charge of the food are forecast to stretch, toss and serve 15,000 pizzas in just four weeks.
We try two of them.
He samples a Fiorentina, bringing together spinach, free-range egg, mozzarella, tomato, garlic oil and black olives, all finished with Gran Milano cheese.
Rather like ordering a fry-up you are asked how you want your egg - runny, soft or hard.
I take the classic margherita, but spice it with jalapeños.
Those little inoffensive looking peppers have quite the kick.
After a couple of mouthfuls, that bottle of Belvoir Elderflower Pressè isn't so much sipped as glugged.
But hey, I wanted to heat things up and and I can't deny it was flavoursome!
Across from me, the Fiorentina is disappearing at quite a rate too, and though he isn't over-egging the affair, the clean plate and satisfaction written across his face says it's a winning meal.
Like kids who refuse to admit they have had their fill when eyeing up the sweetie jar, we are asked if we would like to see the desert menu.
Our bellies might say no, but the inner child says "I want" and so we take a look, knowing full well we will indulge.
And before too long, one Honeycomb Cream Slice and one Leggera Sorbet is joining our two person party.
The former brings together sweet honeycomb and chocolate pieces in a light cream topping on a layer of salted caramel and crunchy biscuit.
What's not to like?
One slice is most definitely all it takes too. There is a whole lot of sweetness at work in each bite.
He is digging into a one scoop lemon curd sorbet served with a chocolate straw and fresh mint.
A palate cleansing winner.
A quick caffeine fix to round things off, and it's game over for us.
Far be it for us to be cheesy here (surely that's the job of this eatery) but this is one Italian job perfectly executed!
Bookings: Call 01908 231738.
