Zizzi - Metro Centre — Restaurant in Gateshead

I honestly found this place below par. The staff were stood about chatting for 10 minutes at a time on a busy bank holiday. I had asked for some crayons for my daughter as she was given a colouring sheet without them (?) and after 20 minutes, and watching the girl I asked for the crayons chat up a storm with other staff members, I just went and got them myself. It was for the same reason that I ended up using the online system to order food to our table. I honestly didn’t know if the waiting staff were there to work or socialise. The food was fine, what you’d expect from a chain of restaurants, although items were missing so we had to request them again. We left without desert simply because we couldn’t be bothered with the lack of service. I waited a while for someone to catch my eye to request the bill, but again, the staff were too busy chatting together in a group, leaving one young lad running around trying to do everyone’s job. In the end I paid online with their online payment system and was glad to get out of there. The atmosphere was pants and the staff just couldn’t be bothered. We’ll spend our money elsewhere next time. It’s not as though it’s cheap to eat out as a family nowadays. I think the staff need to realise that without customers they are without a job, and it’s not as though I was expecting exceptional service by any means. Thumbs down from...

Went for lunch today and decided to get the special mussel tagliatelle. I distinctly asked for no chilli , not that I’m allergic but because sometimes the food is too hot. The starter was a Aubergine crochet which was well done on the outside but cold inside. When the main arrived it looked amazing. On the side was a half a red chilli with seeds attached which I gave my partner as he doesn’t mind them . The shells on the mussels where all cracked and the tagliatelle was hard and stuck together. I tried to get the attention of the staff as they passed but just didn’t come over . I ate what I could as by this time thought it pointless saying anything as we had to get away and had I been offered anything else we couldn’t have waited . The waitress came over to Collect the plates and asked if everything was ok so I explained no , it fell on deaf ears and she just looked and took the plates and left the table. Then another waiter came over and we asked for the bill, he asked was everything ok and we told him no once again it fell on deaf ears. We paid and left . This is why I’m writing this review . My partner food was ok but did say it was bland. The atmosphere was most subdued . We will not be...

3 stars for the staff... 2 blanks for the dish my food was served on! A wooden board with a split down the centre and wood was actually cutting off with my knife as I cut my food open! Its well know in the food industry that it is no longer hygienic to use wooden boards as the hold so many bacteria. So that is me with tummy rot tomorrow, I was in really good company enjoying our day together with my daughter. I didn't want to spoil it with a negative comment about my food. But, there was a big fat negative for it the way it was served!! I have to admit the staff were so friendly (apart from a young woman who cleared the wooden platters away for us. When I made a comment that the watery juice from the Calzone had gone right through onto the table and made a mess, she did state that she'd be back to clean it up as it was right across the table (not a little spill) she didn't return to clean it so I had to try and clean it up myself as we finished or drinks up). Lovely place, food served on these wooden boards is old fashioned and unhygienic, staff are friendly and attentive. Glasses for...