As well as new retail tenants to the town, the foodservice line up includes Zizzi, sporting a new brand identity. Out has gone the brown and beige flowing script, replaced by a contemporary lime green and black fascia.

Zizzi sits in a cluster of restaurants supporting the 12-screen CineWorld, which include La Tasca and Nando's, while opposite is Wagamama and, rather unfortunately, the rear face of Marks & Spencer. The unit benefits from some external seating, but despite the warm spring evening and a busy restaurant, no one was using it.

Inside, the unit combines cosy circular booth seating and a mezzanine level providing approximately 140 seats. As with other Zizzi outlets, the wood-burning pizza oven sits prominently in the open kitchen, adding a touch of theatre to the experience. The bright lime green tiles and walls are a new feature and extend the new branding throughout the restaurant.

We started with a complimentary suppa al pomodoro served chilled in a shot glass, a refreshing and interesting start to proceedings. The core menu remains focused on pizza and pasta choices, but in addition there are a number of Italian entrées available such as grilled whole seabass and a rib-eye steak, which broaden the menu and, with prices from £10.95 to £15.95, allow guests to 'trade up'.

We then shared an excellently presented antipasti board washed down with two orange juice and lemonades. Our main courses were generous portions of calzone carne and fettucine carbonara, so generous that we were too full for dessert. The total bill came to a reasonable £35.95.

Food and environment are only as good as the service and a mention must go to the front of house team, who were very friendly and attentive throughout, providing a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Food: ? ? ? ? ?

Service: ? ? ? ? ?

Value: ? ? ? ? ?

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend