Piza e Vino offers great pizza and great value, especially considering it’s not highbrow — just a small shopping mall chain.

The branch I went to is located upstairs at The Wedge shopping center in Morningside, where seating is indoors or outdoors on the patio which overlooks the shops and part of Sandton. It was a nice breezy spot for a quick lunch, and did not disappoint.

We had a hard time choosing from among the 40-odd pizzas and dozen or so pasta dishes. The inventively named pies include the Speedy G (Bolognese, jalapeno chillies, onions and spicy coriander), Porky the Pig (salami, pepperoni, bacon, caramelized onion, feta and basil), Funky Monkey (bacon, feta, banana, chilli and chocolate), and the James Brown (grilled chicken with barbecue sauce, bacon, guacamole, cheddar and red onions). If you opt for pasta, you choose the noodle (conchiglione, spaghetti, penne or tagliatelle) then decide on a sauce: choices include oxtail ragu, butternut panzerotti, chicken and asparagus, and the seafood medley, among others.

Despite the rather complicated array of pizzas and pastas on offer, the great thing about Piza e Vino is that you can go simple if you want. I opted for the garlic twisty sticks and a simple Margherita pizza. The garlic twists were chewy and delicious, while the pizza had a lovely thin-but-crispy crust, and just the right amount of cheese and tomato. Pizzas come in large or small, and can be ordered with a gluten-free crust for an extra R15.

The service was prompt and polite, and I was impressed by my server’s knowledge of the menu. The decor had a casual-yet-edgy theme, with black and red accents overlaid on sturdy wood and brick foundations. We didn’t partake, but as the name suggests there is also a selection of wines and craft beers, such as the Jack Black Lumberjack and the Saboteur IPA. Overall it’s a nice place for a slightly upscale pizza-and-beer experience.