Pizza Two Four, Oswestry

recalls teenage kicks at an old haunt as she catches up with a friend.

When I walk into Pizza Two Four I am taken back more than 15 years to my teenage years living in Oswestry - it was the venue where teenagers were dropped off outside the door by their parents and picked up a couple of hours later safe in the knowledge that their youngster had enjoyed a night with friends on soft drinks and pizza.

Me and my girlfriends can reminisce about many nights of fun and laughter there. So where better to meet a friend for a mid-week tea and a good catch up?

It is an eaterie I often forget still exists and when a colleague heard I'd eaten there they also asked the same question "Pizza Two Four - is that still open?" He was also reminiscent of his days in Oswestry.

We had not booked a table but arrived to a warm welcome by the owner who told us to take any table as she served another table of two.

We took a table in the corner and started our "huge" catchup. Despite the menus being brought over by the owner promptly and drinks offered we took ages to order. But the owner who is extremely hands-on in the business and can be seen either waiting on or cooking, alongside her son Stuart who is the main chef at the pizza house, had no problem with the delay we created and we felt comfortable enough to literally take as long as we wanted.

However, our appetites eventually won over the conversation and we ordered - I went for the pan friend garlic mushrooms (and garlic there certainly was) served with toasted french bread which was used to mop up the delicious garlic butter, while Debs went for the bruscheta - the generous slices of french stick topped with tomatoes, garlic, onion and basil soon disappeared and were given the thumbs up.

Both starters were thoroughly enjoyed and with all of the talking it seems no time at all before the mains arrived.

I was tempted to order a pasta dish from the extensive and creative menu but memories from my teenage years recalled the soft, light pizza bases and the generous toppings (although it is under different ownership since then) so the pizza won.

I was even tempted to go for my teenage topping of baked beans but resisted - a favourite with children I should imagine.

I went for the chicken topped option - which included spicy chicken, roast chicken, red onion and sweetcorn but I swopped the sweetcorn for mushrooms - with a sweet homemade tomato puree. When asked whether we wanted 7-inch or 9-inch pizas we both said we'd have the bigger option as we could take any spare slices home for the men! Sadly for the men at home the plates were cleared - it was simply too tasty to leave!

Debs was spoilt for choice by the menu but eventually opted to "create your own" and order a pizza topped with pepperoni, onion, pepper and mushrooms. We also ordered a side dish of homemade creamy coleslaw to share.

Both were served piping hot with generous portions of tasty fresh toppings. We were too full to indulge in the desserts, which boasted gateaux and cheesecakes, but did finish off the evening with a delicious latte off the coffee menu.

The intimacy of the restaurant which can cater for just over 30 diners is a welcome and the fact it remains so popular so many years on is a delight.

ADDRESS

Pizza Two Four, 24 Leg Street, Oswestry SY11 2NN

Tel: 01691 654693.