The summer is over, the days are getting shorter and there isn’t much to be happy about as we look forward to another gloomy winter where our energy bills become extortionate once again for no real reason, but at least Pizza Express is attempting to alleviate those September blues with their new autumn menu.

The main attraction here is the fusing of two of their most iconic menu items: their American hot pizza and famous dough balls into the American Hot Dough Balls. They’re loaded with rich Italian tomato sauce and paprika-spiced sausage, topped with hot green peppers and flavourful Gran Milano cheese and look like the perfect accompaniment to one of their many classic pizzas. Maybe another American Hot if you’re feeling cheeky enough?

If not, you could check out their new Meatball Italiano Romana pizza – a delicious combination of flavoursome beef meatballs, spicy beef, tomato, garlic, mozzarella and red onion, finished with a dash of chilli oil and Gran Milano cheese on a crispy Romana base. Yummy.

To finish it all off, Pizza Express have also added what they’re calling their Ultimate Chocolate Fudge Cake, which combines six indulgent layers of chocolate sponge with heavenly buttercream and rich, dark chocolate fudge icing. Again, it looks completely delicious.

If that isn’t enough to alleviate some of your winter blues, then the new dishes will also be accompanied by the following classics on the menu:

• Mozzarella Sticks: A starter you won’t want to share, with melting mozzarella coated in crisp, golden breadcrumbs, served with a tangy Italian tomato dip and a drizzle of sweet hot honey.
• Anchovy Bruschetta: Inspired by PizzaExpress’ founder’s love of anchovies, this starter features the brand’s golden signature dough with lashings of garlic butter, topped with fresh tomato, capers, red onion, parsley and anchovies.
• Bruno Romana: Created by one of the brand’s very own Pizzaiolos and featuring creamy blue cheese, red onion chutney, tomato and mozzarella, all topped with fresh rocket, Parma ham and Gran Milano cheese.
• Margherita Pomodoro Pesto Romana: An elevated take on a classic featuring creamy mozzarella, baby plum tomatoes, basil & pine kernel pesto and garlic oil.
• Caprese Salad: An Italian classic of creamy mozzarella, vine tomatoes, plenty of basil and balsamic drizzle.
• Mac & Cheese: A comforting classic of macaroni baked in a rich three cheese sauce with mozzarella, cheddar, Gran Milano cheese, garlic oil and topped with crisp breadcrumbs. Also available with an ‘Nduja upgrade.
• Al Forno Spicy Pollo & Chorizo: Perfect for the Autumn months, this dish brings together succulent chicken, spicy chorizo, tomato, garlic and smoked chilli powder into one hearty pasta creation.
• Al Forno Chicken Parmigiana: Italian-American comfort food in a bowl with crispy, golden breaded chicken, with rich passata sauce, penne and Gran Milano cheese.
• Sticky Toffee Pudding: A luxuriously delicious date pudding, with pourings of sticky toffee sauce, and served with creamy vanilla gelato.

Yeah, you can’t really go wrong with all those can you? Get your butt down to Pizza Express this September and I’m sure you’ll be cheered up in no time. Maybe grab some extra American Hot dough balls for the way home.