Zizzi - Durham — Restaurant in England

From the moment we stepped into Zizi’s, we knew we were in for something special – but nothing could have prepared us for just how magical the evening would become. We were seated downstairs at what I can confidently say was the best table in the house – perfectly positioned with an absolutely breathtaking view of the city skyline and the serene river below. It was the kind of view that makes you stop mid-sentence just to soak it in.

Now, let’s talk food. We ordered the carbonara and pork meatballs – both dishes were rich, satisfying, and clearly crafted with care. The carbonara was silky and indulgent without being too heavy, and the pork meatballs were incredibly flavorful with just the right balance of seasoning. Delicious, full stop.

But the true highlight of the evening – the unforgettable part – was our server, Jolie.

Where do I even begin? Jolie was nothing short of phenomenal. She knew the menu inside and out – not just a general understanding, but a precise, confident recall of every single ingredient in each dish. She rattled off components like she’d personally created the recipes. On top of that, she gave incredibly thoughtful and accurate recommendations, describing portion sizes, textures, and even spice levels with such detail that we felt like we’d already tasted each dish before ordering.

Jolie’s warmth and charisma were the cherry on top. She was genuinely engaging, striking the perfect balance between professional and personable. We never felt rushed or overlooked – instead, we felt completely taken care of in a way that elevated the whole evening. She anticipated needs before we even asked and checked in at all the right moments with sincere enthusiasm.

There were so many other little touches she added – like checking whether we wanted the view to be more private for photos, or explaining the story behind some of the dishes. It’s rare to find someone so clearly passionate and talented in hospitality. Jolie is a star, and without a doubt, she will go far in life. With her attention to detail, knowledge, and natural charm, she could thrive in any high-end dining environment – or honestly, anywhere she sets her mind to.

Zizi’s delivered on all fronts, but thanks to Jolie, this meal turned into an unforgettable experience. We left with full stomachs and even fuller hearts.

We’ll definitely be back – and we’ll be asking for...

Maybe it is me or maybe I am just used to the service and attention you get from another pizza chain but I think there is room for a few improvements on the service. I have eaten here three times over a year and the service has been pleasant enough, but there have been two things that have made my Wife and I openly laugh. The first one was when we were asked whether we wanted chips with our pizza and I didn't realise this was a normal thing in the Durham area, so our chuckle and 'no thanks, is this a normal think?' was confirmed by the table next to us when their chips turned up and it would seem one review on here wasn't pleased with their chips, so sorry for my reaction. The second thing is how the wine is served, I say served, it is more delivered. The first time the wine was plonked down on the table with the top still on, which remained on so we had to unscrew and pour our first taste. Again, this sounds a bit pretentious, but this is literally the only restraint this has every happened to us in the past. We visited again this weekend and it was pretty much the same procedure, so this must be the norm in this restaurant. Don't get me wrong, both the waiter and waitress that served us on separate occasions were perfectly nice, but when there is £11 being added to the bill as a tip, I think there should be a bit more effort. Anyway, will I try it for a 4th time in the future? ...

Sometimes when you visit a town/city on several occasions, it is difficult to break the attraction of dining at familiar venues. Well today was that day. Not today the usual Lebanese or fish and chips. After the usual trawl of menus and prices in the city centre, we settled on Zizzi. A warm welcome is always an encouraging starter. Zizzi's was just starting to fill so our timing was spot on. Our drinks were soon on the table, it was an unusually hot day for September, the cold drinks hit the thirst immediately. Our order was swiftly taken. I ordered pork and wild boar meatballs al forno. My better half ordered lasagne. The meals took an acceptable time to appear. I guess they are freshly prepared. Served on a hot platter the sizzling meal looked as good as it smelled. We both commented on how tasty our meals were. It was pleasing to be asked if everything was ok, a few minutes after the meal was delivered. This seems to be an attention to detail which has been lacking in a number of establishments we have visited recently. The meal was by no means cheap, it was however on a par with other establishments in that part of Durham City. We now have another lunch stop on our Durham list. Well done...