Pizza My Mind: Pizza Express, Gung Ho!, and Annie's Are This Chaoyang Accountant's Favorites

In the run-up to the Beijinger's 2015 Pizza Cup (mark your calendars for the launch party on October 17-18), we've asked Beijingers to tell us about their favorite pizza places. Today we hear from Jerry Wei, a Gemini who loves dark chocolate, jazz music, and foreign languages.

"I've been to Italy and tasted what pizza is like in its birthplace," says this Chaoyang-based accountant, who has also visited more than a dozen pizza restaurants in Beijing, including Hutong Pizza, Kro's Nest, Gung Ho!, and La Pizza.

Here are a few of Jerry's favorites:

For a pint out with the gang:
"Pizza Express would be my first choice and I would order any thin crust pizza – their crusts are particularly thin and crisp. The tomato sauce and olive oil matches the crust excellently. Toppings are rich with fresh rocket and nice cheese. The presentation is also good, with all the pizzas making for inviting photos. The serviceis also great – nearly all of the waiters and waitresses are kind and understanding. The atmosphere is relaxing and they provide a happy hour buy-one-get-one free drinks every working day, which makes Pizza Express the perfect place for group drinking over a good pizza."

For a date with a significant other:
"Gung Ho! Pizza would be my first choice under this circumstance. I prefer the Lido branch because it was recently redecorated and provides the perfect glitzy setting to share during a date with your significant other. The pizza here is more Chinese-flavored and fits local tastes. I would order the pumpkin, eggplant, and tofu pizzas. Gung Ho!'s crust is not the thinnest but it can be made with whole wheat or even gluten-free flour, which is really unique. The toppings are fancier than at other pizza restaurants and turn out looking fantastic. To round off the experience, the service is perfect. I went to this place with a special friend, which makes this one a special place for me."

For the end of the month when you are worried about the budget:
"If I was looking to save money I'd head to Annie's as they offer cheap food perfect for those on a tight budget and would order eggplant pizza. The prices are really good considering the quality of the service and the food. Delivery is also much more convenient compared with other restaurants."

Would you like to be profiled as part of the Pizza My Mind series? Fill out our online questionnaire here. Prefer to respond to these questions orally? Send us an email at info@thebeijinger.com with your phone number and a good time to reach you and we will call you back to interview you over the phone.

Photo courtesy of Jerry Wei