Available with a multitude of delicious toppings, pizza is an ever-popular takeaway option.

You don’t need to go far to find a pizza delivery joint, but if you want an authentic taste of Italy, then why not try one of Leicestershire’s Italian eateries?

That’s just what we decided to do - and our eatery of choice was Cini in Enderby.

Whilst it is currently closed to dine-in customers, the restaurant has launched the ‘Cini 2 Go’ collection service.

The menu offers an 11-strong selection of pizzas, including marinara, margherita, caprino bietola e rucola (goats cheese, beetroot, rocket and cream) and pescatore (tomato, garlic, chilli, mixed seafood, olives and oregano).

There are main dishes such as classic beef lasagna, vegetarian lasagna and seafood risotto available, and a four-course set menu which changes each week.

We decided to order three pizzas between the four of us, and opted for a Margherita (£8), Eleonora (mozzarella, cream, peas, salami Milano and French fries - £12) and mascarpone rucola crudo (mozzarella, mascarpone, rocket and Parma ham - £14).

The Eleonora pizza in the foreground
The Eleonora pizza in the foreground

You call up or email to place your order, then at an agreed time, pick it up (and pay via contactless card) at the car park entrance to the restaurant.

I tried to call on the Friday, but didn’t get through so emailed. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a response, so rang up on Saturday lunchtime to order our pizzas for 5pm that evening.

After parking my car in the restaurant’s car park and waiting for the person before me head back to their car, I walked towards the entrance.

A member of staff came out to take my name and within a couple of minutes, my food was in my hands. Contactless payment quickly sorted, I was off home with my piping hot pizzas.

All three looked and smelled delicious, and my boys were very impressed with what lay before them on the dinner table.

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‘Pizza with chips on it? Wow!’ said my eldest about the Eleonora, before quickly putting a slice on his plate.

We all tried a bit of everything and I was impressed by all three pizzas.

I love a simple Margherita when it’s done well, and this certainly was. My husband said he would have liked a bit more basil, though.

The Eleonora was number one in the view of my pizza-loving sons - not just because of the French fries, but also the salami Milano. To be honest, we could have lived without the peas, but they added some colour!

Mascarpone rucola crudo pizza
Mascarpone rucola crudo pizza

The Mascarpone rucola crudo was probably my favourite, thanks to the topping of delicious Parma ham and peppery rocket leaves drizzled with olive oil.

One of the main reasons these pizzas tasted so good was the base, which was just how I like it - thin and chewy in the middle, with a lovely light, crisp crust.

Verdict

We were all very impressed with the taste of our pizzas from Cini, and the freshness of the ingredients was evident.

Other than the lack of email response, the service was efficient.

When it comes to the cost, these pizzas were slightly more expensive than those at other pizza outlets - particularly the Mascarpone rucola crudo at £14 - but the Cini pizzas were among the best takeaway pizzas I’ve tried.

Our three pizzas came to £34 and happily, there was enough left over for us all to enjoy a slice for lunch the next day.

Our rating: 4/5

Food hygiene rating: 4/5