Zitto e Mangia — Restaurant in Tewkesbury

Unprepared for customers, bad tasting food and drink .

I went here last week, midweek The place was less than half full so had plenty of room, however they were not prepared fro walk in customers, no tables layed up. Ok, so we eventually sat down, still no cutlery, ordered drinks, these seems to take ages to come, there was only 4 of us, when I got mine, I had ordered diet coke with ice, but what ever I was given wasn't that! maybe a cheep copy but not Diet Coke that I ordered.

on with food, to start I ordered the bread and olives, Olives some times are bitter, because they are the cheep ones that have gone through the curing process quickly to keep the cost down. Good olives dont have the bitter taste. The ones here were terrible bitter and mixed in with other pickle to hide the taste. The bread, 3 pieces of what could have been a french bread, this was not made correctly as it was doughy and stodgy, obviously made here but not very well, then added to the plate some odd pizza bread with tomatoes and cheese not what you'd expect and it didn't go with the normal bread and olives, it also wasn't very nice. Also the balsamic vinegar just tasted sour vinegar, not even as good as the cheep stuff from the supermarket. by the way, we still hadn't received the cutlery,

Id had enough by that time so didn't order any more, Some people rave about this place but I will not be returning here, very disappointing.

Update: From the owners response, they obviously prefer to argue than resolve the issues,. Ive actually been here once before I came this time, a family celebration so had no choice, on that occasion very slow with getting the table prepared even though it was reserved. French Bread was not meant to be a complement, the bread I had did not resemble much, but it resembled a french baguette more in shape than anything. But it was not cooked properly, just doughy. Drinks, it might be coke in the fridge but mine was not. Check your labels, it may have been coke with lemon or something else in, not simple diet coke.

To be honest I dont expect much, a prepared restaurant, table laid, simple food thats hot when served, polite staff.

The reason I put reviews up is so you can improve, not so you can argue back.

I see some people left without paying, if there food was like mine, id say they had reason to leave without paying..

There are some great places to eat in Tewkesbury, some not so good, but these can be forgiven as everyone gets things wrong, but its the response that your measured against,

Id avoid this place...

Been several times (not by my choice) food mainly average. Specials on the board have been the same for years. Most dishes are cooked by chef Mic, I'd say nothing is freshly prepared. Service is bad, it is like being a customer upsets them and they take it out on you. Last time myself and a friend went we were told we could have a table if we were quick as they were busy and had a booking on the table they sat us at. But then ignored us and served everyone around us, took ages to bring us our drinks. we watched the table that sat after us start their mains while we were waiting for our starters, the owner lady told us it was to do with the chef timings and intricacy of each dish (our starters were calamari and Bree, both out of a freezer bag) when our meal was over we tried to signal to the waitress for the bill but she also ignored us for nearly 20minutes, by this time my friend was ready to flip the table and kick off. Thankfully he didn't and both agreed we will never return to this "restaurant"

Edit: Everything I have written here is 100% my experience, not written for another establishment. No porkies, just facts.

Your response confirms how you treat people who have spent money in you establishment.

The brie starter is not on your menu anymore, congratulations on finally changing your menu, it was on the board as brie/camembert.

Would you like another of my experiences in your establishment? I came in to book a table on behalf of my Aunt, I explained that as it was a particularly hot week that could we possibly have a seat near the door and my aunt would need a bit of space as she is a larger lady, you said "absolutely, no problem at all" when we turned up for our booking you sat us in front of the kitchen, my aunt said about going home for a Chinese and you laughed, it was not a joke, she was angry, yet we stayed, half way through our meal you moved us from the seat by the kitchen to the table we had asked for, and served us burnt pizzas.

Edit: your responses to my experiences show your attitude toward customers. Both instances are 100% my experience, as are other reviews that I've posted. We did voice how we felt at the time but were shrugged off or laughed at like we were joking. I only reviewed now as google popped up and asked me to, no...

Terrible experience, where to start? Right, on entering we were welcomed to sit wherever, however no tables were laid and the overall atmosphere was disappointing - the seating and tables more of a casual diner look and table not laid. To start we chose the 'Brie bites' off a 'specials' board and 'bruscetta with tomato, halloumi and side salad'. Oh dear, the brie was obviously from a bag in the freezer and the bruscetta turned out to be freezing cold Focaccia topped with same salad leaves and chopped tomato that accompanied the brie bites. There was also a tiny amount of diced halloumi on the top. My husband's seafood pizza had a burnt crust and soggy middle, which we assume was from the bits of frozen seafood on the top. The extra salad was, again, the same leaves and chopped tomato as on other dishes. My penne pasta with chopped mushroom was a very small portion and totally bland. Throughout the whole time we were there the staff chattered none stop, including the young man preparing the food, whilst dirty plates were left between courses and cutlery not brought out until food arrived. With 2 beers the bill came to over £62. If I could give zero stars I would. It was abysmal to say the least.

Response to your reply...

The lack of customers was not the reason for lack of atmosphere, more the sparse decor, etc. The place was near empty! Either way, no excuse for poor food, service, etc. If you are open you are accepting customers, who are entitled to expect a standard of food and service reflective of the prices charged. My mistake, mozzarella, not halloumi, however I note you have no defence of my honest and accurate description of what was served. No point complaining when the problem could not be rectified - ie. if that's what you serve how could you improve??!!! Just need to give any prospective customers the opportunity to make a choice based on a totally honest and accurate review. It was the worst meal we have ever had, no...