hi, just wondering if any one has been? We go to the one in Derby a lot and love . Is it true that you can not book a table after 5 pm as this is what i was told when i rang up but it seems a bit strange to me.

I can understand the no booking after 5.00. If they know they will be busy why have empty tables waiting. It is more an up market fast food place than a restaurant you would book your wedding anniversary at. So they probably assume there will be enough passing trade.
You wouldn't try and book at Mc Donalds.

I have been and I thought it was distinctly average and rather expensive.

I certainly would not go there again, there are some ace Italian restaurants in Sheffield and this is not one of the best.

We booked a table two weeks ago after 5pm no problems.

The food was OK, the service was terrible. They pointed us to our table, took 25 minutes to take an order, then a further hour for the starters to arrive, and then forgot our second drinks order, with no apologies when we had to prompt them.

We probably won't be back.

Went for Xmas meal last year with work... everything was ok, but nothing special.

Strada is much better and just across the Square! :)

My mum's been here a couple of times and can't speak highly enough of it!

Oh how people's opinions differ!

Yes my mum was easily impressed. She needed to get out more.

I agree with others Strada far outshines its neighbour.

We went to Zizzi's it was awful to be honest, dry garlic bread, flabby pizzas and a fish dish that had more grease in it than our old cars back axle.

Yes my mum was easily impressed. She needed to get out more.

I quite enjoyed the meal I had there the other week, but would agree about the service being very, very slow ... and it was noisey, so conversation was difficult. But, I am a mom, and its been said I need to get out more :hihi:

Thanks for those who reccomended Strad, we went there instead and it was great, now got to work all those calories off.

Enjoyed a third visit to Strada Bank Holiday Monday.

Again it was excellent although it's a good thing I'm an honest bod.

For the second visit running they omitted the Taitinger blush champagne from the bill (and at £50 a time!).

A restaurant meal is all about expectations
Even a little chef, gave you exactly what you expected.
Zizzis isn't for a wedding anniversary. The food is OK the place is clean, the staff all appear to work hard, it's a fine line to just cope with the level custom they get, without having too many staff and losing money.
See them for what they are and lower your expectations a bit.

A restaurant meal is all about expectations
Even a little chef, gave you exactly what you expected.
Zizzis isn't for a wedding anniversary. The food is OK the place is clean, the staff all appear to work hard, it's a fine line to just cope with the level custom they get, without having too many staff and losing money.
See them for what they are and lower your expectations a bit.

I think the problem is that you look at the prices and expect more. Ok it's not hugely expensive but you can pay less for pub grub which is just as good/better than Zizzi. If you go to a pub your expectations are lower and you can be pleasantly suprised, if you go to a restaurant you expect food of a certain quality and you can be unpelasantly suprised!

A restaurant meal is all about expectations
Even a little chef, gave you exactly what you expected.
Zizzis isn't for a wedding anniversary. The food is OK the place is clean, the staff all appear to work hard, it's a fine line to just cope with the level custom they get, without having too many staff and losing money.
See them for what they are and lower your expectations a bit.

If you think the food was OK that's your opinion. It wasn't cheap, I expected better than I got.

There was a big Pizza Oven with flames flickering at the back of it, ooh great a crispy pizza bottom I thought, no chance because the flames are for effect and the oven wasn't/isn't hot enough to crisp the pizzas.

The garlic bread was awful, dry tasteless rubbish.

A fish dish with fried potatoes, literally oozed oil and fat as the pan had not been hot enough when the ingredients went in and so they soaked up the grease rather than frying in it.

All the mistakes are basic catering practice ones, poorly run in my opinion.

I would say don't lower your expectations but search out somewhere that gets better reviews, Strada does well in reviews and it's next door so might try that next.

Zizzi's is a national chain of pizza restaurants. They are almost as common as Pizza Hut but their food is marginally better.

No doubt they will be owned by some big conglomerate, like Whitbread's or something.

I went to the one in Leopold Square. Attracted by the nice surroundings, exposed logs, suggesting a wood-fired pizza oven, and a sense of curiosity to see if it really was as "upmarket" as the appearance might suggest.

The short answer is no. It's not. It's what one might expect from a national chain of restaurants. Pretty standard fare, rather ordinary actually, not bad by any means, but not exactly outstanding in any way. Nice decor, pleasant attractive staff, good range of drinks, nice location. At the end of the meal the waitress asked if everything was o.k. and it was, "o.k."

I can't enthuse about it any more than I would Pizza Hut or KFC really. If you like your national chain restaurants then you won't be disappointed.

Yes Dippy that sounds about right
How big a chain are strada.
They have a more difficult task, a bit further up the market, but still to a template which in itself tends to suppress the personal touch that an independant would have.

How embarrassing! I don't know anything at all about Strada, I'll have to keep a look out for it. I spend most of my week working in Southern England so if a new one has popped up in Sheffield it might have escaped me. Although I don't recall seeing this chain down south either. Heavens! not a true independent possibly?

Zizzi's is a national chain of pizza restaurants. They are almost as common as Pizza Hut but their food is marginally better.

No doubt they will be owned by some big conglomerate, like Whitbread's or something.

I went to the one in Leopold Square. Attracted by the nice surroundings, exposed logs, suggesting a wood-fired pizza oven, and a sense of curiosity to see if it really was as "upmarket" as the appearance might suggest.

The short answer is no. It's not. It's what one might expect from a national chain of restaurants. Pretty standard fare, rather ordinary actually, not bad by any means, but not exactly outstanding in any way. Nice decor, pleasant attractive staff, good range of drinks, nice location. At the end of the meal the waitress asked if everything was o.k. and it was, "o.k."

I can't enthuse about it any more than I would Pizza Hut or KFC really. If you like your national chain restaurants then you won't be disappointed.

You've got this spot-on! Like a school report might say, "Could do better", it hardly merits a telling off from your parents yet you know it will leave them a little disappointed.

Strada wins hands down.

You've got this spot-on! Like a school report might say, "Could do better", it hardly merits a telling off from your parents yet you know it will leave them a little disappointed.

Strada wins hands down.

and just like my old school report would say...

Must try Strada

I seem to remember Strada was going to be a different brand, but they changed when zizis opened, it must have been a similar concept I can't remember the original idea, whatever it was must have been part of the same group

It was originally going to be 'Ortega' which is a Spanish tapas bar and cantina. It is indeed part of the same group as Strada. They decided it would be too similar to its neighbours, but I think that's down to Platillos and Popolo rather than Zizzi, though I could be wrong!

While I mention it, I am genuinely excited about Popolo opening...shall certainly be sampling a few cocktails there.

How embarrassing! I don't know anything at all about Strada, I'll have to keep a look out for it. I spend most of my week working in Southern England so if a new one has popped up in Sheffield it might have escaped me. Although I don't recall seeing this chain down south either. Heavens! not a true independent possibly?

You're right...not a true independent, definitely a chain.

http://www.strada.co.uk/restaurants.html

I haven't eaten at the Sheffield one yet, but have done in London and was really quite impressed. Food tasted fresh and good quality for the price. And I agree with everyone else about Zizzi's - distinctly average.

We went to zizzi today...and found it to be rather rubbish, the service was appalling.

We had to wait about 15 mins for a bottle of wine....twice! They forgot our starters, my main course wasn't very nice (when it eventually arrived), very greasy, they got one of our desserts wrong twice, and after being sat in there for 2 hours and 45 minutes my bum was getting rather numb on the very uncomfortable hard wooden chairs.

Although we complained about the service and got rather a huge discount (100% :hihi:) on the meal, I definately wont be going there again,and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

We went to zizzi today...and found it to be rather rubbish, the service was appalling.

We had to wait about 15 mins for a bottle of wine....twice! They forgot our starters, my main course wasn't very nice (when it eventually arrived), very greasy, they got one of our desserts wrong twice, and after being sat in there for 2 hours and 45 minutes my bum was getting rather numb on the very uncomfortable hard wooden chairs.

Although we complained about the service and got rather a huge discount (100% :hihi:) on the meal, I definately wont be going there again,and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

:wow: Not good.
I'm meant to be going tomorrow! Oh well, its going to hopefully be the sort of day that can't be ruined!

What food did you have? So I know what to avoid :hihi:

:wow: Not good.
I'm meant to be going tomorrow! Oh well, its going to hopefully be the sort of day that can't be ruined!

What food did you have? So I know what to avoid :hihi:

Is it last exams, funkymiss? Hope you have a good one!

Have not tried Zizi's yet so no comments there I'm afraid.

Is it last exams, funkymiss? Hope you have a good one!

Have not tried Zizi's yet so no comments there I'm afraid.

Yes my last! Thanks jessica!

People keep knocking this place.
I've never really had a problem, I've been 4 or 5 times
although I prefer Strada

:wow: Not good.
I'm meant to be going tomorrow! Oh well, its going to hopefully be the sort of day that can't be ruined!

What food did you have? So I know what to avoid :hihi:

I had the spag bol, unlucky for me :hihi:

People keep knocking this place.
I've never really had a problem, I've been 4 or 5 times
although I prefer Strada

Which just proves the point!

You're right...not a true independent, definitely a chain.

http://www.strada.co.uk/restaurants.html

I haven't eaten at the Sheffield one yet, but have done in London and was really quite impressed. Food tasted fresh and good quality for the price. And I agree with everyone else about Zizzi's - distinctly average.

speaking of London, was there yesterday and ate at the Masala Zone, just off Regent Street. Cafe-style, cheap, fast Indian food. It was excellent!

Owner is same guy who has Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary - food is very good. You tried this perhaps?

speaking of London, was there yesterday and ate at the Masala Zone, just off Regent Street. Cafe-style, cheap, fast Indian food. It was excellent!

Owner is same guy who has Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary - food is very good. You tried this perhaps?

Nice to hear that Chutney Mary is still good I haven't been since it first opened, it was good food and quite a different experience at the time.

Went to Zizzis, thought the food was lovely.
Staff were crap though. I'd probably go again, just not if I was in a rush.

speaking of London, was there yesterday and ate at the Masala Zone, just off Regent Street. Cafe-style, cheap, fast Indian food. It was excellent!

Owner is same guy who has Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary - food is very good. You tried this perhaps?

Not eaten at the Masala Zone no, but have at both Veeraswamy and Chutney Mary - yes, I agree, food excellent, but my favourite Indian in London (in fact, anywhere) is definitely Woodlands - there are a few in London but usually go to the one just off Haymarket. It's authentic South Indian vegetarian food, of the type usually not found outside South India and of the kind I have STILL yet to find in Sheffield. Just thinking about dosas, idlis, uthappams and puris makes my mouth water!!

I went to zizz'z last night and really enjoyed it. I'm suprised at some of the comments on here. We found the service very good and the food we ordered was delicious with plentiful portions!

Have had the unfortunate luck to have been twice, the 2nd time for a hen night so not my call but i can honestly say the food and service was some of the worst i've had for a while.
The waitress forgot to get some of our parties order for there maincourses so they were left without for a good 1/2 an hour requiring us to stay in the dreaded place longer than necessary.
My seafood risotto was hardly cooked and virtually inedible, the first time i had the toughest calzone ever, Yeuch.

I went around Christmas - the food wasn't very nice and the service was quite "confused". I wouldn't go again.

Interesting reading all these reviews...I've never been to Zizzi's in Sheffield, having taken one look at it and dismissed it as yet another trendy looking place that would probably have impersonal service and not particularly special food. I'm quite a food geek, I love eating out and I expect restaurant food to be significantly better than what I can cook myself at home, otherwise what's the point?
Anyway, having thought all that, I've just been to visit a friend in St Albans last week and she took me to Zizzi's there. I was braced for it being as I expected, but to my great surprise it had an interesting menu, fantastically friendly and quick service even though they were very busy, and all of the food we had was excellent (pizza, calzone and a pasta dish, plus desserts). We ended up eating there again and it was just as good the second time, my friend says she eats there a lot and it's one of her favourite places. "That showed me", thought I, and decided I'd better give the Sheffield one a go after all. I'm not sure after reading all these poor reviews! But if the Sheffield one really is that unimpressive, it just goes to show that not all branches of a chain are the same...

i went to zizzis with about 15 mates for a birthday last week we ate outside. food was wonderful service was good, real good atmosphere in leopald square id recomend to anybody

i've had a great meal there too!

We went last Saturday afternoon; food very average, service terrible, half the specials were not available. Mrs M had risotto which was under cooked, rock hard in the middle.

The waitress clearly didn't want to be there by the morbid look on her face; for Christ sake smile....

Would not go again.

On my one and only visit to Zizzi's in Sheffield, I felt the same aas when I have visited others in the chain - quite expensive for what you get and service that tends to make you feel like they are doing you a big favour rather than actually providing a service that you are paying for.

A shame, because I like the whole idea of Leopold Square..and the service received at Popolo (opp Zizzi's) wasnt much better - although the food was marginally better.

On a positive note, I cant fault Aagrah - brilliant service, great atmosphere and lovely food on every occasion that Ive been! Cocktails were surprisingly good (and alcoholic!) too! :)

Only been once and thought it was terrible. Service appalling and food not that great either! :mad:

been twice, both times excellent staff, good food and a great nite.

Well, we went to Zizzi in Leopold square a fair few months ago after it had just opened. We really wernt impressed at all. The food was alright, but the service left much to be desired. It took about 20 minutes to get asked what drinks we wanted, and absolutely ages for food. We just put this down to teething problems as it had literally only just opened, so we didnt really think much of it.

Last night we thought we would give it another chance, its been open a fair while now and we had a 2 for 1 voucher, so we went back:

IT WAS EVEN WORSE!

The waitress was such an old sourpuss, not only this but when she poured our wine (which was practicly warm) she spilt it all over the table. She didnt apologise or get a cloth to wipe it up or anything. She was so sloppy and lacklustre.

Then we got some bread and oils, the bread was literally stale. And they only gave us a tiny little dish of oil so we had to ask for more. Not really a problem, but a little bit annoying.

Then our main meals came, the Pizza, i must say, was lovely. But nothing that Strada couldnt beat. Not only this but my other halfs pasta was pretty bland.

So, to summarise:

Bad Service
Warm Wine
Spilt Wine
Stale Bread
Bland Pasta

To end this rant with a bit of positivity, i really would recommend Strada in Leopold Square. The food is lovely, Service is brilliant, gorgeous wine, and a nice setting. Weve been about 5 times and never had a bad meal.

I have one of those vouchers but I have not had chance to go yet. It is really surprising to hear, as the one in Cardiff is fantastic! It is always busy but you get brilliant service, really fresh food and a very good experience all round. I will be trying it out next week and let you know my opinions too and also how it compares.

Also had bad experience there and haven't been back. Wrong drinks, and took ages getting served (though it wasn't full) so we left before ordering food.

Agree about Strada - has been very good each time, so why bother with Zizzi's one wonders.

Have been twice and had excellent service both times (if anything the staff were a little too attentive) and food was lovely. I've been both in the evening and at lunchtime.

Went last night (as part of a big group of 12, not my choice). It was OK, but only OK. My calzone was burnt on the outside so it was practically impossible to cut through. The salad accompanying it was clearly out of one of those readymade plastic bag thingies!! Having said that, dessert was nice and no one spilt wine on us!

Went last night (as part of a big group of 12, not my choice). It was OK, but only OK. My calzone was burnt on the outside so it was practically impossible to cut through. The salad accompanying it was clearly out of one of those readymade plastic bag thingies!! Having said that, dessert was nice and no one spilt wine on us!

Calzones don't come with salad - it comes with garnish :P

There's already a 3 page thread on Zizzi in which you could have posted your review

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=350020&highlight=zizzi

The balance of opinion is against the place.

Threads merged

Interesting fact: "zizzi" means "c**k" in French slang. Mwah ha ha! I've had a great meal in the Nottingham one, but not tried the Sheffield restaurant as yet.

The York one is very, very good.

Been 4 times now, great atmosphere, food good (not excellent), service a little slow but not worth complaining over, surroundings and leopold square excellent.
Would go again:thumbsup:

Went last night and it was fine, would return. £54 for 2, bread, 2 starters, 2 mains, 1 dessert, 4 cocktails. Service and food not out of this world, probably 7/10 for this price bracket, but you get what you pay for, had i wanted to spend £150 i would have gone to fischers.

We went to Zizzi last night, what nice food, good service, very clean and comfortable place, friendly staff, thoroughly enjoyed risoto rice and lovely desert.
Would recommend anybody to go there, it is a good place.