Hot and bothered (Zizzi (Cheltenham))

Member Name: luke1081

Product:	Zizzi (Cheltenham)
Date:	08/01/09 (146 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great food

Disadvantages: too hot; too exposed

I'd heard a lot about Zizi's before going there, so was expecting a lot from this place. Naturally, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Part of a national chain of Italian restaurants, Zizis, has a good reputation for quality food at reasonable prices. Cheltenham's restaurant opened several years ago and occupies a space in an old church, just off Suffolk Square, not too far from the town centre.

My first impressions were great. The place was huge (not suprising perhaps considering it was a former church). It was decorated in ornate and decorative surroundings, much in keeping with the former church. Many of the stained glass windows remain, and the primary structure of the church remains intact, which was delightful to see.

Now comes my gripe. It was very clinical, despite the magnificant ambience within. The chairs and tables were lined up in rows, which made it resemble a school dinner hall more than a classy restaurant. This was a pity, and probably had more to do with the structure of the church than anything else. But the layout made it very noisy indeed, which was a shame because we had no barriers next to us, in front of us, or behind us; plus a large hen party had just sat down. We felt...exposed.

The other gripe was the bar upstairs which was stifling. A large fan provided some cool comfort but did not achieve a great deal. Again, planning permission evidently prohibited the placing of an aircon unit up here.

Food was brilliant. Freshly-cooked pizzas in a kitchen which you could see into. It was a glorious novelty being able to watch the chefs at work. Prices weren't too steep either at about £20-25 for a 3 course meal per head.

All in all, it was a good restaurant but could certainly benefit with some strategically placed barriers of some sort - perhaps some foliage, bushes or indoor plants, which could act as a barrier between tables - giving romantic couples some much needed privacy.

Summary: Fantastic; just avoid when busy and in peak summer