MONEY is tight at Christmastime. But that doesn’t mean you can’t blow off some steam and see out the working year in style.

If you’re looking for a good festive menu deal, you can do worse than the offering at Pizza Express. Three courses and a glass of Prosecco for just £19.95! You can’t say much fairer than that.

Pizza doesn’t scream ‘Christmas’, but the chefs behind the menu have done a good job of twisting the classics in festive style.

In the spirit of the season, a group of hardworking (and hungry) journalists descended on our local branch of the pizza chain. The staff were really friendly and accommodating and the table was decorated in festive fashion.

At what other time of the year would you have a maple glazed gammon or beef and horseradish pizza?! Everyone’s a bit more relaxed at Christmas, so it’s the perfect time to give them a try (and I can tell you, it’s worth it. Never in my life did I think I’d have gammon pizza but it was a taste sensation).

One the Christmas menu there are two starter options - chicken liver pâté and roasted tomato soup. I opted for the pate, which was smooth and moreish, accompanied by a delicious caramelised tomato chutney and croutons.

The Prosecco went down a treat. With menu deals, I always worry that they’ll give you the cheapest option and you can taste it - but this certainly didn’t seem to be the case. It was so nice I had another glass!

It might not be snowing outside but it’s snowing at Pizza Express- in the form of ‘snowball’ dough balls.

A twist on the classic year-round favourite, these are served as a dessert with a salted caramel dip. It’s quite odd having a ‘savoury’ dough ball for dessert, but the sweetness of the moreish dip counterbalances the taste.

There were far too many to finish though.

If dough balls aren’t your thing - at Christmas or at any other time of the year - there’s a caramel and pear gelato which I’m told is delicious.

Pizza Express The Lexicon, Bracknell RG12 1HB Phone: 01344 551144 pizzaexpress.com