Zizzi - Cardiff St David's — Restaurant in Wales

I gave 2 stars for food as the service and atmosphere meant we actually left before ordering, so that can be ignored.

However, the experience itself was abhorrent. Prior to attending the Paul Smith show at the Utilita Arena on Sat May 17th, just across the road, we arrived with a party of 2, 1 of whom suffers from a fairly rare illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, or MCAS for short. MCAS is potentially life-threatening and can cause anaphylaxis, so unfortunately, unless food is personally prepared, it's virtually impossible to enjoy a meal out together. Out of courtesy we always apologetically advise we're taking a table for 2 when only 1 is eating, just to acknowledge that a seat is being taken from someone else who may have been ordering food.

Upon making this request, the person at the front desk burst into absolute hysterics, to the point neither of us were entirely sure where to look. I mean it went on and on....it was briefly interrupted by a half-hearted apology, but then proceeded to go on for even longer. Believe it or not, we enjoy a laugh as much as the next person but this was so cringeworthy, bordering on demented. My recommendation that she think twice before responding in that manner to anyone else in future, went largely unheard. We sat down briefly but then left after politely making our feelings known to another member of staff.

I appreciate this may seem trivial to some but I dread to think how this could affect someone who may have an eating disorder for example and is attempting their recovery. Without going into too much detail, it was apparent this individual doesn't take their own health and well-being too seriously. We have our suspicion this may have been the route of her reaction and she assumed that the person joining me wasn't eating out of some kind of life choice, based on her slight figure rather than an actual illness. This makes it even sadder that we're inclined to think the only explanation for this behaviour, stems from this individual's own securities, it was as much sad as it was...

Easy order Gluten free + VEGAN! Im over the moon!

Firstly I would like to start with the outstanding customer service which me and my partner received from the Manager and Chef (Sándor - I think, sorry if this is wrong). I have many food intolerances and simply knowing that something is gluten and vegan (huge win!) can still leave room for problems. The manager and Chef took time and I must say and gracious patience to answer my questions. Not only did they both put but me at ease, but allowed a feeling of excitement, something that I can't recollect experiencing before whilst ordering food. Normally I wouldn't even risk a takeaway, but when I have previously used other establishments, I would be limited to half a meal at best and sometimes returning my food due to errors.

So let's talk about the food itself - delicious- spot on and not a scrap was left. My partner who isn't gluten free or vegan, thoroughly enjoyed the jack fruit "pepperoni" vegan gluten free pizza, and I really enjoyed the vegan gluten free margarita pizza+ their Calamari and aioli - yum! Everything arrived crispy and still warm! All in recycling packaging which was important touch. It's nice to enjoy your food without the guilt of wasteful plastic packaging. Another touch which actually was a huge thing for me was hand written identifications, staying VEGAN and GLUTEN FREE. This was an added level of reassurance. When pizza tastes this good , sometimes you doubt it's as stated. Another handwritten note mentioned the ingredients in the aioli, something that wasn't discussed previously on the phone, either the Manager or Chef, took extra care and initiative to add clarity, I loved this ! It really made me feel cared for, understood and valued.

Thank you to all the staff involved. You have a new happy customer, I will be...

I have never visited a Zizzi before, and based on my experience in this restaurant, I will not be back.

The service was lacklustre at best, with a strange vibe and a distinct lack of presence from the staff. We were not asked once how our meal was, and the only member of staff consistently present was a lady wandering around who seemed to be vaguely observing the tables but not actually engaging with any customers.

The food unfortunately was not particularly tasty, and at the prices Zizzi charge, I would have imagined it would have been a lot better. The free appetiser "pasta crisps" we were given were basically flavourless and a very odd texture. The pizza had a very dry and unpleasant, almost floury base, and the toppings didn't really add much to the overall taste - not to mention that for some reason it had rosemary on it. As an Italian, I was fundamentally offended by this pizza. Strangely enough the serving of fries, which were supposed to have rosemary on them, were completely devoid of rosemary - maybe the chef had put it on the pizza instead?

When we finally managed to flag someone down in order to get the bill, we then had to wait an eternity to actually pay it. In the end we just went to front of the restaurant to pay rather than continue sitting in the strange ambience of the restaurant.

I'm not sure if this experience was down to a young and inexperienced staff, or if this is the standard at all Zizzi branches, but I most definitely will not be returning...