I last ate in Zizzi’s in Bromley when LBG was small. Lisa and I took our three children for lunch, and my memory of the experience is not a good one. I don’t think I’ve eaten at a Zizzi’s since, though that of course may have something to do with half my family not eating cheese.
Last week, I went back to see how things have changed and to try the new star of the Zizzi’s menu -the Sweet Pizza.
The decor had been updated- calm colours and the use of birch branches made the girls exclaim that it would be good to “do something like this” at home. The staff were very helpful on arrival, and we quickly settled down with the colouring and stickers provided- a given in a high-street restaurant these days, and an essential tool when playing for time.
The Girls were both happy with the pizza-or-pasta options on the children’s menu and I went for a Weekday Special- Buffalo Mozzarella and tomato salad followed by Spaghetti Zucchine.
The food was served quickly. The girls left their crudite starters because the vegetables were clearly past their best. My starter was small but fresher and tasty: ideal for a three course meal.
LBG wolfed down her margerita pizza and declared it to be delicious. She then polished off what was left of her sister’s penne with tomato sauce (no cheese). Dimples had in fact eaten half of what was a sizeable portion so I was delighted. My main was a good size, the vegetables still bright and green and the saffron sauce smooth and creamy. I could have done with more lemon to compliment the sauce, though.
It took some time to get our order taken for dessert. The girls were excited by the make-your-own option, and loved tipping their own little pots of popping candy over their teeny tiny ice-cream cones.
I had the Sweet Pizza- an odd blend of pizza base, with olive oil, topped with gooey melted marshmallows, fresh strawberries and a chocolately hazelnut sauce. I say odd, but the combination did work. I could have done with a couple of bits more topping. My children were less sure and reluctant to try the pizza but eventually tried and liked it- they ate bits heavy with topping, hence my concern that I had missed out. The Girls did say they would like to make one at home one day- toasting marshmallows is one of our favourite activities and we have a firepit for that reason, not to mention a cupboard filled with marshmallows. I think though that for grown-ups, Sweet Pizza is probably something to share, which makes it a very romantic choice!
Our experience at Zizzi’s, though busy, was certainly better than the last time we went. Changes to staff, decor and menus make it a much more appealing high street choice for me than in the past.
Comments I have on our experience:
The loos in our particular branch were tired to say the least. They could certainly do with a good clean. These are things that worry Dimples.
Both crayons and kids starters were served in the same kind of plastic cup that we have at home. Yet their drinks were served in large glasses. Seems odd to me: why not put children’s drinks in children’s cups?
Our restaurant was very busy and understaffed. The manager was very apologetic about this, and the staff worked extremely hard to keep up and I was very impressed by their dedication.
The dessert for children was ice-cream or ice-cream. LBG would generally choose a fruit-based dessert given the choice. It’s worth Zizzi considerng a fruit option for their next menu revamp.
Sweet Pizza is £5.95
Weekday Lunch Menu- Monday to Thursday before 5pm- is £10.95 for 2 courses
Kids Menu- 3 courses and a chococino- is £6.75
*Disclosure: we were given a meal free of charge at the Bromley branch of Zizzi’s for the purposes of writing this post. All opinions are honest and we loved the pizza.
Go on! You know you want to tell me what you think!