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Zizzi Edinburgh Roxburgh

Zizzi Edinburgh Roxburgh

1 Roxburgh Court, City Of Edinburgh EH1 1PG, United Kingdom, Edinburgh, City of

Pizza • Pasta • Italian • European


"To get to the first Zizzi to open in Edinburgh in seven years, you have two choices. If you’re working up an appetite you can walk up from Cockburn Street or indeed if you want to keep fit. The easiest option is from the Royal Mile, look out for the entrance to Mary Kings’ Close, walk down the passage as if you were going into the attraction, turn left and you’re there. We went along to the launch evening, and were enchanted to be met by some of the residents of Mary Kings' Close dressed in their finery for the occasion. Now, I can't promise that sort of welcome each time you visit, but you'll instantly feel at home. You walk into an L-shaped space. Before you is a fabulous view down over Princes Street and beyond. I am instantly drawn to the left of the room where, in an open kitchen the team are preparing pizzas to bake in the roaring oven behind them. Starters are being prepared to the other side. It's a hive of activity. Later when I talk to Steve, the manager, I discover that he had the pick of staff from other Zizzi's and has brought the best to lead his team. He did have to find other staff to replace them mind you! Much as the pizzas looked delicious, I was keen to try one of the other dishes and was tempted by the Zizzi fish stew. A rather nice touch, the menu indicates dishes that contain 600 calories for those wanting to go for a lighter version and incredibly this dish is one of them. To start with with have a platter which showcases some of the dishes from the menu. The calamari (from the sharing menu) and the garlic bread with mozzarella and tomato and pesto bread from the “dishes to start”. The calamari are among the best I’ve ever tasted. Both the breads are delicious and the way I like them, crisp and not too much topping. Mr EF waxes lyrical about his insalata di pollo (chicken salad) which is again one of the 600 calorie dishes and includes chicken, pancetta, green beans, cannellini, onions, tomatoes and lentils in a aioli and lemon dressing. It’s moist and has just the right amount of dressing. My fish stew is chock full of fish and seafood in a deeply flavoured tomato sauce with sliced potato – each element cooked perfectly. Portions are generous! We get to share 3 desserts between us: lemon tart, tiramisu and chocolate tart. It was difficult to chose our favourites as all were a very fitting end to a lovely meal. Just to mention, the drinks list is extensive and reasonably priced and don’t miss the chance to try the limoncello! We continued to enjoy the atmosphere throughout our meal and the excellent service. Prices are reasonable – do go and give it a try especially if Italian restaurants are not your first choice. It’s really special."

Arlo's

Arlo's

1 Ramsden Rd Balham, London, United Kingdom

Grill • Pasta • British • Steakhouse


"in the friendly neighbourhood of balham we decided to go to dinner in Arlo’s steak. I had heard many great things about arlo’s and wanted to see for myself what it was about. a big thing to arlo is that it seems to understand that eating a decent steak in london can be ridiculously expensive so that they have what a more uplifted kitchen can be in a little less pretentious so that these purse strings can loose a bit! I love the decoration of this place – really fresh, withdrawn, relaxed and welcoming. we were served by the most beautiful waitress, who was very happy, friendly, helpful and thoroughly believed in arlo’s and what it stood – makes the difference! the wine and drink menu also serves as a reminder of the unresolved, covered ambiente. only a two-sided menu that offers everything from blowing to ipa and malbec to digesting – a large list of drinks that can be chosen without being overlaid. we decided to sipe on the Argentine Malbec and a passion fruit bellini – just what we needed after a long week at work! the menu is also not allowed to the identity of this restaurant. only one side, the 5 different starters, 4 different types of steak, a lot of sauces and side and 2 different salads for those with healthier diets than me! what I also love about this menu is that not only it easy and welcoming, but it is also quite funny. So let me explain! first they can choose their regular size steak, or they can choose up to the larger slices they can choose a lump steak up to 1kg! it is not up to them if they want to share this with their next and dearest or decide to go on a crazy man vs food frenzy and eat it yourself! even if they have chosen their steak, they can decide whether they want a simple steak or they would arrive on a “rinky” price – a disc of fire-infused sourd that either in smoked chili or the bavette and hangers were of course not the most tsarcastic steaks, they are a cheaper cut, but were packed with a lot of taste. brilliantly carved on the outside and perfectly cooked we went for medium sized on the inside, each bite was delicious! the protection made a steak dinner much more interesting, but I did not find it too much added to the overall taste. to accompany the steaks, we went for the hand-cut Hautny chips and the Makkaroni cheese. the chips were beautiful, really crispy on the outside and super fluffy on the inside and the Makkaroni cheese was amazing! the menu also has a large selection of starters where they can choose all three for £10 – what a lavish! we chose the spiced halloumi in a kind of chimichurri sauce that arrived in a sweet little dish with a few wood food picks for use instead of cutlery. after such a delightful but heavy meal we had no choice but to have a lemon sorbet! nicely refreshing and citrusy, this was a good opportunity to finish a Fab meal! I recommend this restaurant, although the next time can try their ribeye or, if I am brave, the tomahawk! if there is a thing I know, I will be greeted with some of the best service I have ever had!"