ASK seems to be one of those places where everyone has eaten at least a million times (in one town or another) and no one seems to rave about. Certainly it has been my experience that while it's not massively exciting (perhaps like a number of other pizza super-chains in Oxford) Ask is 'good enough', not too expensive, pretty tasty, quite stylish, etc, etc. Please do excuse my lack of excitement - and don't think that ASK isn't worth a try if you've never been. It's a staple of Oxford's dining establishments, and does have a couple of gems on the menu - it's just a bit dull. I'm not entirely sure if this is due to the ambience, or the menu, or simply the fact that you've seen so may ASKs before, but whatever it is, it's not enough to put me off going. There are a couple of really good dishes, particularly the pesto pizzas (the Genovese and the Mediterranea), although I wouldn't recommend these if you decide to take advantage of ASK's 'any takeaway pizza for £5' offer as on the occasions I have tried this, the trip home renders these pizzas unappetisingly oily. In the restaurant however, when they're still nice and hot, they taste great. I would also highly recommend their Penne del Giardino which, when I tried it, was packed full of fresh and flavoursome vegetables. Other veggie options I have tried, particularly a penne dish which came in a rich sundried tomato, artichoke and chilli sauce, have also been very good. Generally ASK seems to serve its vegetarian clientele somewhat better than its competitors. There are still plenty of options for the more carnivorous amongst us however - my boyfriend is a particular fan of the Inferno pizza which comes loaded with pepperoni and chillis. Prices are reasonable, with pizzas coming in at an average of £6.50 or so and pasta dishes generally a little bit more.

All in all, ASK is worth a trip: it probably won't knock your socks off but it won't let you down either.

Victoria Lorne, 10.05.04