The things I do for research!

ASK Italian recently launched a gluten free pizza base across their restaurants and it was only right that I booked myself a table one night and tried it out.

So off I went with some family members to ASK in Guildford.

I’ve eaten at this restaurant in Guildford numerous times, both pre and post coeliac diagnosis and I’ve only ever had good dining experiences there.  The food is always wonderful and the staff friendly, helpful, and confidently knowledgeable about gluten free food.

First off I was pleasantly surprised to see that gluten free dishes were now indicated on their menu with small GF icons (please correct me if I’m wrong but I’m sure this is a new feature and not one I’ve noticed before).

I apologise for the quality of my pictures but I forgot to take my camera with me so I had to settle for the fairly naff camera on my phone, in a slightly dark restaurant, it’s the best I could do!

There were a couple of gluten free starter options available but I was really craving rustic chips which were unavailable the last time I ate at ASK (I know, chips AND pizza, talk about carb overload!).  The starters available, just for reference, were Insalata Caprese (Buffalo mozzarella, vine-ripened mini San Marzano tomatoes, Santos tomatoes, fresh rocket and fresh basil, all set off with salt, pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil), and Prosciutto E Rucola (Smoked prosciutto with peppery rocket, sliced chestnut mushroom and Grana Padano cheese; with a simple lemon garnish).

As tempting as these sound, I was all about the chips!  I’m a big fan of the presentation of food and thought the way the chips were delivered was delightful!

They came with a more than ample pot of garlic mayonnaise which was really tasty, and not too overpowering as some others I’ve tried in the past.

In hindsight I wouldn’t order rustic chips again when ordering pizza as I was already pretty full by the time my Stromboli pizza was delivered!

Again, presentation was first class!  It came out on a quaint pizza dish with it’s own cutter (which I found adorable) as well as the standard cutlery.  At first glance it looked as good as the ‘regular’ pizza which my brother ordered.

The base was really lovely and thin whilst still being nice and crispy around the edges.  The quantity of topping was very generous in my opinion and I have to admit, I could not eat all of it, which was a shame as it was really good.  I did try my best!

One thing I found difficult was cutting the base, it was more of a hold down and tear than a slice when it came to using a knife and fork, but this was the same with the regular pizza also.  I think it’s just much easier (and less messy) to use the cutter provided which sliced through the pizza nice and easily.

I think this is currently my favourite gluten free pizza on the market.  I like the bases to be thin and crispy at the edge and for the pizza not to be dripping in oil.

This is a definite recommendation for other coeliacs out there.  Out of all the chains of restaurants in the UK I believe ASK is up there at the top end as one of the best when it comes to options, gluten free / coeliac awareness and understanding.

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

ASK Italian – Guildford
16/19 Chapel Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UL
Tel: 01483 577 027
Google Map

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -

ASK on Twitter
ASK on Facebook