Zizzi

We reviewed Zizzi previously, last year, when MJ took her parents there when they were visiting for her PhD graduation celebrations. They really enjoyed it, with particular appreciation for their pizzas.

This branch, on Roxburgh Court, which is just next to Mary King’s Close, is freshly opened, and at time of writing still largely undiscovered by the tourist hoards. This won’t last long, though, as word will soon get around.

I was joined today by Arlene and Candice, both of whom have quested before, to Timberyard and Calistoga, among other places.

Zizzi’s menu focusses on pizza and pasta, primarily, with the odd additional item tucked away. Their seafood stew, sounded really good, so goes on the list for the next time I visit.

Candice opted for two starters, joining me in choosing the mushroom and mozzarella arancini, then following with the goat’s cheese pizzetta. Arlene started with the king prawns, then followed with a mushroom pizza. I followed the pizza road, also, with a spinach and egg fiorentina.

While our starters were prepared, we had a moment or two to contemplate our surroundings. With outdoor seating in a lovely courtyard, which will no doubt prove popular during our current fine weather, the interior blends new with old in a very smart way. I enjoyed their bookshelf wallpaper, for example. From our window seat, we were able to enjoy a nice view of the city, too.

Starters soon arrived, with Arlene’s stealing the show. The prawns looked highly impressive, and the little fish-shaped bread batons were very cute. Our arancini, mentioned on the menu as a new dish, needed a little work. They were a touch under-seasoned, which was quickly rectified by the condiment grinders, but they didn’t quite work, and accompanying tomato and red pepper sauce lacked sophistication.

We were back on track with the main course pizzas, though, which lived up to MJ’s high praise of them, from her visit to the Queensferry Street branch. Mine was particularly good, with a well-judged base topped with wilted and fresh spinach and a beautifully runny egg, in the centre.

So overall, I was impressed by Zizzi’s new Roxburgh Court premises. Things were made all the sweeter when we were given 25% off the bill, and key rings to repeat that deal on future visits, given that our office is just a few minutes away. They have a little work to do to get all of their dishes singing, but their pizzas are certainly first rate, so I’d be pleased to recommend that you pay the place a visit, soon.

Scores
Blythe scores Zizzi
3.5/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
3.5/5 for service
giving an overall 15/20

Today’s quester were: Arlene, Candice, Blythe

We ate: arancini (2), gamberoni, pizzetta formagi di capra, pizza funghi, pizza, fiorentina, affogato

We drank: water, espresso, hot chocolate

We wore: blue shirt, blue dress, blue jeans

Total bill: c.£37 (25% discount applied)