Walk down St Mary Street and you’ll find four pizza restaurants in close proximity: Pizza Express, Pizza Hut (does that count?), the new Prezzo (who couldn't fit us in so yaboosucks to them) plus Zizzi.

According to the website Zizzi aims to be “An authentic Italian experience in a contemporary restaurant environment”. So, did they deliver?

On entering Zizzi you come into a large room, with just the right level of lighting, and a casual yet sophisticated contemporary atmosphere including their trademark log stacks and all-important wood-burning pizza oven (you can watch the chefs making your pizzas fresh at the back of the restaurant).

The patient wine waiter took our orders, bringing our drinks together with chilled tap water without any prompting from us. Just as well - the air-con is work in progress apparently (how long has Zizzi been open exactly?)

The starters were good, simple dishes, which arrived promptly. We tried Insalata Rucola e Proscuitto (served with a thick balsamic sauce), and Tricolore con Bufala - a creamy mozzerella and cherry tomato combination, all of which used good, fresh ingredients.

Of the 13 pizzas to choose from on the menu it was noted there were not many options for the vegetarians amongst us. The pizzas we did order were a little overdone, and the calzone used rather too much dough, but Zizzi’s do a pretty good-quality standard pizza.

There were a few ‘new’ things on the menu; my Strozzopreti con Pollo Piccante was wonderful, with crispy chicken and al dente pasta, with just the right level of spicy hotness. The Fettucine alla Carbonara was presented well, with crispy bacon on top, though not quite as satisfying, and a less generous portion. The Farfalle alla Genovese (also new) was a little greasy, and one of the chosen risotto dishes (Risotto Verdi) was not available, and the opted-for Risotto ai Funghi con Pollo was ok, but pretty standard.

Of the desserts the Torta Limone was well presented and eaten fast, and I can quote the person who ordered the Mela Croccante (Italian apple and amaretto crumble): “best ever”. The ice cream was enjoyable but a little on the hard side. Oh for a scoop of authentic Italian soft creaminess.

Overall we were well looked after and had an enjoyable meal – the particular highlight being the good service. But if you’re looking for that “authentic Italian experience” and have a couple of extra pounds to spend, you’re better off heading just round the corner to Casanova.