When I told friends I was reviewing Cici’s Pizza this week, after reviewing The Bistro last week, I was met with crinkled faces and confused questioning. They didn’t understand why, with so many fine restaurants in Bowling Green, I would choose a pizza parlor. But that’s exactly the point.

Bowling Green has a plethora of ethnic restaurants, chain restaurants, fine dining, casual dining and pizza. Isn’t it important to be informed about all types of eating establishments, depending on what you’re in the mood for?

If you’re in the mood for a variety of pizza in a relaxed atmosphere, then Cici’s may be made to order. Which is exactly what brought us into Cici’s that night. My dining companion had seen Cici’s’ television advertisement for an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet that included made-to-order pizza.

We entered the well-lit, wide-open, non-smoking parlor and were met with a welcoming greeting. We paid for the buffet and I was given too much change. I gave the change back, but the young man was unfazed. Not appreciative, not surprised, not bothered, just rolled with the moment. I noticed this was a pattern among the wait staff. Our drinks were filled regularly, our used plates bused quickly, but without a lot of fanfare. The wait staff was quiet, unassuming, yet effective, which created a relaxed atmosphere.

The fanfare and chaos was reserved for the room in the back where both children and adults entertained themselves with pinball, video and other arcade games. I was impressed that this room was completely separate and the hoopla could not be heard in the main dining room.

While the pizza was not gourmet, the variety was some of the best I’ve seen on a buffet. There was a spinach with alfredo sauce, taco, barbecue chicken, pineapple and ham, as well as the usual suspects: pepperoni, cheese, sausage, etc. And this is where it gets good. My dining companion wanted a supreme pizza, not included on the buffet, so the wait staff asked how many slices. We were given a specifically colored road cone to display on our table and about 10 minutes later the made-to-order pizza slices arrived.

Cici’s pizza goes light on the tomato sauce and makes up for it with a lot of toppings.

Cici’s also has salad and dessert bars available when you order the buffet, as well as thick, curly-noodled pasta and cheese bread. Again, I can’t rave about the flavor combinations or unique presentation, as I do when reviewing an upscale restaurant, but I will rave about the pleasing balance between the amount of money we paid and the quantity of food and variety.

Cici’s Pizza was a pleasant surprise all night long. When a group of children were seated near us, I was certain the evening was going to get chaotic and loud, but they sat well behaved with smiles on their faces, entertaining us by inadvertently putting pepper and parmesan cheese on their cinnamon rolls. As Bill Cosby would say, &#8220Kids do the darnedest things.”

I went in curious about the buffet and didn’t expect Cici’s to offer a dining experience, just a little pizza. I’m glad to know they’re there, just in case I’m not in the mood for a grilled salmon, filet mignon or even a salad with cranberries and pecans, but instead a little light-hearted fun, a hot-rod show on the big screen and parmesan cheese … on my pizza.

Cici’s Pizza

2945 Scottsville Rd.

843-9299

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (take-out until 10 p.m.)

Specialties: Pizza

Pizza buffet: $4.49 (with drink, $6.23)

Smoking: No

Libation situation: None