Before we do a review at Edinburgh Spotlight, we visit a restaurant twice before publishing our findings. That is, unless the food is bland and service so bad that we wouldn’t waste our money a second time.
Zizzi, West End branch has now had its’ second visit and I am pleased to report that the food and service both times was really impressive.
Co incidentally, I had the same waitress again (2 months apart) and she was just as friendly and competent as the first time I ate there.
I was early for lunch to get out of the rain and she let me have a choice of table, so I opted for one by the window which had comfy leather seats. Other seating in the restaurant is a mixture of booth seating and tables with wooden seats, so something for everyone. Plenty of room for buggies and there are high chairs and food warming facilities available making this restaurant very family friendly. There is even a ‘bambino’ menu for the kids which is reasonably priced.
I quietly had a pot of tea (£1.75) whilst waiting on my friend and was not harassed to make an order for food or feel guilty for sitting inside out of the rain. 30 minutes later my friend arrived and service was prompt for our order.
My friend ordered a coke at £1.95 for a 330ml bottle, which is so much better than draft soft drinks. House wine starts at £3.65 for 175ml glass and there is a nice selection to go with the extensive menu.
I opted for the ciabatta pollo consisting of chicken, avocado, red onion, aioli and tossed salad served on toasted garlic ciabatta (£8.50)
Ciabatta Pollo
The dish was delicious, chicken tender and salad dressed well in olive oil and balsamic. The avocado was perfectly ripe.
My dining partner opted for the torn chicken breast pasta with mushrooms in tomato sauce. The chef seemed to appear from the kitchen to grate fresh parmesan over the meal which was unexpected – normally a role for the waitress.
Rigatoni Con E Funghi Pollo
Just as our food was placed on the table, a third diner to our party arrived (saw us in the window and decided to join us! ) and was promptly given a menu and an extra table was moved across to make one suitable for four.
I tasted my friend’s dish and am pleased to report it was really flavoursome and pasta cooked to perfection.
Even though it was a Tuesday lunchtime, the restaurant was completely full at one stage but the staff coped admirably.
Although Zizzi is part of a chain, I am pleased to say that for a bite to eat at lunch it’s perfect and in the evening (when I dined before) there is a good buzz in the air. Diners eagerly fill up on the selection of pastas, pizzas, risottos, calzones, meats and salads and wash them down with reasonably priced wine.
Be sure to sign up for their email at Zizzi as they regularly do dining offers.
Suitable for disabled ? Yes, completely. The restaurant does have a small slope from the reception area in to the dining area, and has a fully accessible toilet on the ground floor (others are upstairs).
