Zizzi - Leeds The Light — Restaurant in Leeds

We went for a Christmas work meal because the Christmas menu looked very inviting. Unfortunately the experience was hugely disappointing and we have resolved to remind each other not to return.

While it did seem that the waiting staff may have been short (three between a quiet restaurant seems doable?), the service was slow. It took over 15 mins to get pre meal drinks out, when we were notified a mixer was missing to make the festive cocktail which was pride of place in the seasonal menu. It then transpired a number of juices were also out of stock.

We made our waiter aware that we had to leave for a subsequent booking within 80 mins and he advised us that three course in this time would be doable. The starters were mostly fine - I wouldn’t recommend the calamari: it was bland but at least it wasn’t too greasy.

For the mains these were mostly adequate. There was a mix up with one of the mains. The truffle carbonara was ordered by two of our team, but the waiter (the same one who took the orders) insisted one of us must have ordered the standard bacon one. Subsequent discussions between both guests alleged that both distinctly said “truffle”. This was more of a macaroni cheese rather than a carbonara - the pasta was in a cream like bechamel sauce. The pork pizza crackling was chewy and if it wasn’t chewy it was so hard that to bite on it would have risked a filling dislodging. Other pizzas were OK, though we have had much. better for the same price in Leeds. Had we not been eating a very late lunch we might not have eaten as much as we did.

As for dessert, we were rushing to leave within 10 mins for our subsequent booking. Since we had ordered all three courses at the start, we were surprised that the standard instruction to start the next course as you see guests finishing their current course wasn’t done, so following the clearing of the main course plates. As if this experience couldn’t get even funnier, the tiramisu ordered by some of the team was still frozen so they were asked to choose an alternative. Some left to go to our next event instead of opting to wait for an alternative - it was particularly disappointing as this was the most looked forward to course for one of our guests who adores the dessert and to only be told this after two courses down felt further conveyed this restaurant as a shambolic mess. I had the plum and amaretti crumble. Unfortunately this wasn’t worth being late for the next event: the top was a bit over grilled and the crumble slightly too dark in places and instead of finding plums at the bottom of the crumble there was instead a smooth plum jam like a coulis, the consistency of which you’d expect to find in a supermarket doughnut but plum coloured and flavoured. It lacked acidity you’d expect from plums to contrast the sweetness so I was unable to finish this alongside the ice cream served alongside.

As for the bill, because we were late and in a rush, we asked for the bill at the same time to settle asap while waiting for the dessert. It was already the time we had expected to leave by at this point. A second (smaller) drinks order that we had ordered took almost 15 mins again to be served. There was some unpleasant attitude from the waiter, who seemed to be rushed off his feet with two other (more relaxed) younger colleagues catering for a restaurant that wasn’t even half full (barely 1/3 full when we arrived). Had the meal not been paid for by work and that we were already late for our next Xmas event, we would have disputed the service charge as well. One of our team reminded us that we had visited on December 2019 and it had gotten worse since that visit....

Zizzi is a very stylish restaurant that seems to have a Italian twist on a tapas menu. It was relatively quiet when we were seated but seemed to pick up throughout the meal (around 3pm). We were seated very promptly and it appears you get a free bowl of pasta crisps. They were a nice aperitif while we waited for our drinks and food to arrive. The atmosphere was very modern and aesthetically pleasing with different effects lighting and style going around. I’ve never been to this place before but it was a nice change of pace as it was really enjoyable and the food was delicious. The only gripe I had was the price was a bit steep for what they’re asking for. It’s very similar to Bella Italia in the sense that they charge around £15 for a pizza or pasta dish. This was made bearable by the fact we got a free garlic bread starter by signing up for their loyalty program ‘Zillionaires’. There was a miscommunication about the blue light card discount, but considering we got the free garlic bread it wasn’t too much to worry about. The servers were outstandingly generous and nice throughout our visit and really make it an enjoyable experience. My fiancée and I left feeling super satisfied and satiated. They also had a tantalising dessert menu which we almost indulged in but left due to time constraints elsewhere. I highly recommend this establishment, the price can be relatively steep for some so treating this as an occasional trip would be ideal. Also setting up the loyalty points is a must as you can save a copious amount of money this way and also get the free garlic bread. Overall, amazing trip here. From the staff to the food it was ticking all the boxes and I’m already salivating excited to return for another crack...

Of all the restaurants in Leeds city centre we should have spent our money somewhere else. Terrible experience.

First of all it took 25 minutes for the staff to come and take our drinks and food order. We ordered a garlic bread starter and two mains. The garlic bread came out over cooked and burned in parts, it was hard to bite into so a third was left.

Then while waiting for our mains a staff member came to tell us that the sea bass that had been ordered wasn’t available. Apologies were made and promise of a free dish as a goodwill gesture. How was this not mentioned at time of ordering or once the kitchen received the order?!

Mains came, we both had the Casareccia Della Casa. We were asked if we needed anything else: salt, pepper, Parmesan etc… to which I replied no but my Nanna said she would like some Parmesan. After waiting a couple of minutes for him to return I said it looks like he’s not coming back - stood chatting to fellow staff members.

The meal wasn’t very good at all - undercooked pasta, overcooked chicken. It was definitely not worth £17.00. The waiter came to take our half eaten mains and I asked for the bill. It came back with the sea bass listed. Thankfully he removed this by changing the amount on the card machine but it was just another issue.

The atmosphere was also horrendous. Why this restaurant think it is acceptable to seat paying customers in the delivery drivers entrance is ridiculous. It was so off putting having people walking near you with the big food bags.

I’ll never eat here again and would recommend everyone to...