Zizzi - Newcastle upon Tyne

It is not an easy task to maintain impeccable standards and uniformity of taste across a chain of over two hundred outlets, yet that is just the distinction that the ASK group has achieved. Their restaurants, with the brand names of ASK and Zizzi, serve authentic Italian food at reasonable prices, in a warm and friendly ambience. The chain continues to grow, with the group opening around twenty-five new outlets each year.

Another talent that the group has is converting listed buildings and housing their restaurants in them. This has helped the group maintain standards, but allows each location to keep its innate charm. Done up in light colours, with wooden floors and gleaming cutlery, Zizzi boasts of a bustling open kitchen which churns out freshly prepared, tasty fare.

Like all good Italian restaurants, the extensive menu offers four distinct sections of antipasti, salads, mains, including pasta, pizza and risottos and desserts, with extensive choices under each head. The restaurant's special antipasti platter has mixed Italian meats with rockets, olives, sliced pepper, artichokes, bocconcini topped with fresh basil, virgin olive oil and sliced ciabatta. Garlic mozzarella pizza bread and marinated olives too, set the tone for a hearty meal.

The calzones or folded pizzas are a treat and come with salads. The con carne piccante calzone has marinated chicken, meatballs, mushrooms, chillies, tomato and mozzarella while the di pesce version, has oak smoked salmon, mascarpone, spinach and cheese. The pasta and risotto sections evince a lot of interest, with the fusilli alla Genovese made of roasted aubergine and peppers, combined with mushrooms in a delicious pesto sauce or the light risotto with marinated tiger prawns and broccoli in a rich creamy base with white wine, garlic and lemon.

The pizzas are not far behind either, with prosciutto a funghi topped with ham, field mushrooms, olives, fresh thyme, mozzarella and tomato while the popular Sophia has marinated chicken, pepperoni, pancetta, herbs, cheese and tomato.

The extensive wine list offers a range of red, white, sparkling and rose wines in addition to beer and spirits while the dessert menu is attractive too, with a range of tempting fare from the homemade tiramisu to the torta limone with its delicately smooth lemon cream served on a base of crunchy digestive biscuits. One can also wind up a meal here with a hot cup of coffee, tea or chocolate.

The fact that the restaurant hires their employees very selectively is evident in the friendly, cheerful and capable manner in which the staff treat diners, lending each outlet the personalised feel of a family run restaurant.