Zizzi - Stafford — Restaurant in Stafford

Visited her tonight with a large party to celebrate a family members birthday. Was greeted within a family manner and seated.We were provided with a menu, after searching through the men. I asked the staff if i could have a particular meal, but without having any garlic in it, as i could not eat garlic. The response from the waitress was that she would check with the manager. The manager then came over and explained that all of the meals contained garlic and that it would not be possible to provide me with any meal except salad that did not contain some form of garlic, as all of there meals had some form of garlic within it. So reluctantly i looked at the three available salads. was for vegans , so was out of the question, the second had garlic as part of the salad, so it left the third, a chicken salad. However it had to be an undressed salad as the dressing contained salad. So i agreed, it arrived.. I was not very happy to say the least. Small amount of dry cold chicken (which could fit in a child's hand) 2 pieces of dried bacon, a few button tomatoes cut up and some onions cut up. smothered in leaves (80%) of the salad, with some lettuce thrown in. I felt let down badly treated as there was nothing that could be done. I could not cause a scene as it would be disrespectful to the family, so i have turned to writing a review as a means of complaint. This is a shocking way upon a restaurant treats its customers and there should have been at least one meal that was garlic free for people to chooser as an option. not just left high and dry whilst out celebrating, not what i was expecting on a family get together meal out. Very Very...

Tonight’s meal was because I had a £25 off “£65 or more spent” voucher. This was probably around my 20th to 30th visit to this particular Zizzi.

And as usual, I was not disappointed. I had a fine Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand as an aperitif and to accompany the meal. It was served in a well chilled wine cooler, though I do like a bit of ice in these coolers to keep the wine well chilled throughout. And no matter where one is, I do prefer a bit of ceremony with wine, presented on the arm covered with a white napkin, offered a tasting and the first glasses poured. It just makes so much difference for so little effort. It perhaps that come come later.

I started with the prawns spiedini, half a dozen of them on a skewer with a good garlic sauce, although the sauce could have been slightly less garlicky: I like garlic, but too much and it goes bitter.

My main course was king prawn linguine, the prawns cooked to perfection to go into the languid tomato sauce topped with pleasantly bitter rocket leaves. I’d prefer the pasta to be a bit more al dente.

My dining companion had the dough balls with an accompaniment of cheese sauce followed by a Rustica (large) Margherita pizza. Both those dishes could have convinced me I had ordered the wrong dish.

We both skipped dessert. It has already been a substantial meal.

My overall impression is that I should pay more custom to this restaurant: I always enjoy being here, the atmosphere is good, the food is good and the staff are always there to make one’s evening enjoyable.

And would I return? Undoubtedly yea, my endorsement for any...

Absolutely awful experience I felt really let down. Right from the very start the service was abysmal. We had paid for the 4 course set menu on buy a gift. Our drinks took 20 minutes to arrive which should of included olive's. We asked were these were but they didn't arrive until another 20 minutes later. Yes 40 mins and we hadn't had our starter's. When we went to order we were told that the only starter available from the set menu was bruschetta. Now I understand some items from this menu may have ran out but not to be offered an alternative is disappointing. I asked about having the Mushroom Brindisi and was told no even though I was willing to pay the 10p difference. They were very unaccommodating. I saw other people having different starters so there wasn't only bruschetta left. Of something wasn't available the choice should.of been opened up. When this has happened at other restaurants they have honoured alternatives from the menu.

The table next door had been sitting with their empty starter plates for some time and had told us they were still waiting for their mains and had been here for one and half hours already. The same then happened to us. We didn't get our mains until after 90 mins. 90 mins!

When they did arrive it was luke warm and we had no cutlery so had to wait for that. It was like everything was an effort.

It was meant to be a special night out. We certainly didn't feel special but rather an inconvenience. I feel so let down. I won't be...