You can’t buy happiness but you can buy pizza and coffee – and that’s kind of the same thing

A chance meeting with an Italian bus driver with a passion for coffee and pizza gave James Skade and Carrie Slater the idea to create a pizza cafe named after him in their home town of Nantwich. It proved to be such a success that they decided to spread their wings and create a base in Manchester.

Their move to Manchester city centre is a brave one bearing in view of the amount of competition from other Italian restaurants in the city centre. But what they have done well is pitched their offer at a great price point and chosen a location just off Market Street that’s ideal for shoppers.

The new site is bright and fresh with bursts of colours introduced in the form of lime green banquettes, multi-coloured rainbow lamps and bold signage. The layout is relaxed and feels part coffee shop/part restaurant.

We were treated to a selection of just about every pizza on the menu. They are a mix of classics with some quirky additions. We started with the breakfast pizzas which are served from 7.30am. Our favourite was the Eggs Bene Pizza (£6.50 for 9″/ £10.75 for 12″) which consists of ham, egg, honey and mustard hollandaise sauce. A very saucy little number.

The Pesto Deluxe (£6.95 for 9″/ £10.95 for 12″) is an excellent vegetarian pizza and packed with flavour, with a pesto and feta base, peppers, cherry tomatoes, rocket and basil olive oil. There are also vegan pizzas with vegan cheese.

Another standout was the simple pepperoni pizza (£5.45 for 9″/ £8.95 for 12″) as it was so much better than what you usually get. Loads of cheese and topped with fresh red onions really made this standout from the norm.

The dough in every pizza is excellent – thin, light and crisp. It’s the kind of pizza you eat all of and don’t have to discard the crusts to the side of the plate. Some great herbs are included too, with lots of cheese and toppings right to the edge. Quite refreshing.

We drank some great prosecco spumante, the perfect accompaniment to our pizza. And we couldn’t leave without trying some of the bespoke Enzo blend coffee, a silky latte with a shot of Bailey’s for good measure (£4.95) whilst sampling some of those home-made sweet things (£3.25 to £4.95) – indulgent moreish brownie pieces and vegan peanut brittle cake.

Everything is made on site. Fresh pizza dough every day, fresh pasta and fresh sauces, not forgetting their own bespoke Enzo coffee blend and home made cakes.

With some really friendly and passionate staff, Enzo offers all day dining with a modern and accessible vibe at great value.

www.enzouk.com