Zizzi (Pizza), Cheltenham
Discussion
Went to the above last weekend with a group of friends for a birthday, the restaurant is inside a converted church and I must say when inside it does look fantastic, that sadly is where it ended for me. In my opinion they have crammed too many tables into the main area leaving little space for waiting staff to move around when serving and for customers to relax and feel comfortable, I had pasta with meatballs which to me was a little dry but was over all ok, the thin crust pizza ordered by Mrs Saleen was average in size (approx 11") and was served uncut, the task of cutting was left to me as Mrs Saleen has a damaged hand, this was no easy task as the base was difficult to cut through and very chewy to eat (along with a blunt knife it was tricky). Drinks I thought were expensive and with nothing on tap everything is bought by way of bottle, a 330ml bottle of coke costing £1.95 is a bit steep!. At the end of the meal plates etc were cleared away but no mention of dessert, perhaps an oversight by our waitress maybe?.
Bill time and our table of 13 was presented with a bill for just over £200, thankfully we had printed off vouchers from the net offering 'buy a meal and get a 2nd for £1' this brought the bill total down to just over £148.
Bill time and our table of 13 was presented with a bill for just over £200, thankfully we had printed off vouchers from the net offering 'buy a meal and get a 2nd for £1' this brought the bill total down to just over £148.
Saleen, I've been there a few times. I agree with you that there are too many tables, but I look at the experience a different way. It is a cheap meal out, the food is good for the price stated and, IMHO, the setting is very dramatic for a chain restuarant. I'm surprised at the pizza comments, mine have always been crisp and fluffy, a hard combo for most of the "chefs" that work in places like this to achieve.
ETA - perhaps you had a new waitress? I have never been there and not been offered a desert.
Christ, it looks like I eat there every weekend! I don't, I promise
ETA - perhaps you had a new waitress? I have never been there and not been offered a desert.
Christ, it looks like I eat there every weekend! I don't, I promise
Edited by BrabusMog on Friday 25th September 15:23
We've been a couple of times lately to different local ones and the service has been really bad both times so we won't be going back anytime soon. We were one of only two couples in there the last time we went and the waitress still forgot half our drinks order. I'd also agree that they definitely need sharper knives, cutting through the pizza bases with a blunt knife is hard work.
Our local Zizzi has quite a bit of competition, but it has consistently served good food well, especially given the prices. I'm rather fond of their spicy Calzone.
But, I wouldn't expect a sweary Gordon Ramsey stabbing errant waitresses left, right, and centre for £11 per head, which the OP seems to have paid...
But, I wouldn't expect a sweary Gordon Ramsey stabbing errant waitresses left, right, and centre for £11 per head, which the OP seems to have paid...
I have no experience of Zizzi, but my experience of Ask is OK food which is good value if you download the 2for1 vouchers, but tables can be a bit hit and miss and the service is slow and not very attentive. The nail in the coffin for me though is that they don't serve beer on tap and instead will sell you a small bottle of beer for £3 or a pint sized bottle of beer for £6.
Prezzo is much better, but last time we went there a mate had meatballs with spagetti and the meatballs were blatently microwaved pre made jobbies.
Prezzo is much better, but last time we went there a mate had meatballs with spagetti and the meatballs were blatently microwaved pre made jobbies.
OllieWinchester said:
Zizzi's opening up in Winchester soon, which I find a bit odd because there is an ASK literally opposite...
Competition isn't that much of an obstacle. We have a local Cafe Rouge, yet a 'Cote' has opened just around the corner. Similar, marginally better, food and a river view? I'd expect them to eat CR's lunch. They'll probably steal clients from the local Gaucho, too- it might not be Argentinian steak, but a better chef is a better chef.Yet, the local Ask will beat our local Zizzi, as the river view at Ask will trump Zizzi's better food (IME).
Edited by grumbledoak on Friday 25th September 18:01
grumbledoak said:
OllieWinchester said:
Zizzi's opening up in Winchester soon, which I find a bit odd because there is an ASK literally opposite...
Competition isn't that much of an obstacle. We have a local Cafe Rouge, yet a 'Cote' has opened just around the corner. Similar, marginally better, food and a river view? I'd expect them to eat CR's lunch. They'll probably steal clients from the local Gaucho, too- it might not be Argentinian steak, but a better chef is a better chef.Yet, the local Ask will beat our local Zizzi, as the river view at Ask will trump Zizzi's better food (IME).
Edited by grumbledoak on Friday 25th September 18:01
You'll find that when so called 'competitors' are very near each other in a certain location that they have reached some sort of agreement for what each will serve and the prices charged. They certainly do not 'compete' with each other in the sense that people expect.
Best is to find a family run place, although that is increasingly hard to find. At least you'll know your money isn't going to a fat layer of management driving expensive cars at your expense.
Best is to find a family run place, although that is increasingly hard to find. At least you'll know your money isn't going to a fat layer of management driving expensive cars at your expense.
Edited by Silver993tt on Saturday 26th September 15:07
saleen836 said:
the thin crust pizza ordered by Mrs Saleen was average in size (approx 11") and was served uncut, the task of cutting was left to me as Mrs Saleen has a damaged hand, this was no easy task as the base was difficult to cut through and very chewy to eat (along with a blunt knife it was tricky).
did you ask for it to be cut? could you have asked for a steak knife?Silver993tt said:
You'll find that when so called 'competitors' are very near each other in a certain location that they have reached some sort of agreement for what each will serve and the prices charged. They certainly do not 'compete' with each other in the sense that people expect.
Best is to find a family run place, although that is increasingly hard to find. At least you'll know your money isn't going to a fat layer of management driving expensive cars at your expense.
Pizza Express, ASK and Zizzi are now all owned by the same people. Best is to find a family run place, although that is increasingly hard to find. At least you'll know your money isn't going to a fat layer of management driving expensive cars at your expense.
Edited by Silver993tt on Saturday 26th September 15:07
Luke. said:
Silver993tt said:
You'll find that when so called 'competitors' are very near each other in a certain location that they have reached some sort of agreement for what each will serve and the prices charged. They certainly do not 'compete' with each other in the sense that people expect.
Best is to find a family run place, although that is increasingly hard to find. At least you'll know your money isn't going to a fat layer of management driving expensive cars at your expense.
Pizza Express, ASK and Zizzi are now all owned by the same people. Best is to find a family run place, although that is increasingly hard to find. At least you'll know your money isn't going to a fat layer of management driving expensive cars at your expense.
I tend to avoid any chains of this type when dining out but a recent trip to Sheffield left me and my other half looking for somewhere easy to eat and Zizzi was next to the hotel in Leopold Square. It was a Saturday night and the place was packed but after a short wait the attentive staff got us in, served us quickly and despite it being the waitresses first night on the job things were pretty good.
The food was better than expected too, I started with Crostini Formaggio Di Capra, next up was a Calzone Carne Piccante and then I finished with the Panettone Al Forno - I enjoyed all three courses but their twist on bread and butter pudding has me wanting to go back for more when I get chance. My local Zizzi in Leeds doesn't get great reviews so I haven't been yet but Sheffield impressed me on what I would have expected to be a night when things might not have been 100% due to the number of customers.
I guess staff plays a big part in things here.
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