Launching Zizzi Ristorante

A brand new Zizzi Ristorante has opened its doors in Greenwich.

Housed within Greenwich Promenade, Zizzi Ristorante Greenwich is a three-storey Italian restaurant that is situated close to both the pier and the historic Cutty Sark. Offering an extensive range of tasty treats – including pasta dishes, pizzas, steaks and salads – the restaurant is the latest site to open in a long and successful chain of eateries from owners the Gondola Group.

Work on the restaurant was completed in April 2012 and Gary Bluff Projects Ltd was the main contractor. Restaurant interior design specialist Dover Design and concept designers B3 Designers were responsible for the interior work on the project.

Zizzi Greenwich covers an area of 4487 sq ft and comprises three dining levels over the ground floor, first floor and mezzanine level. In addition to the three dining floors, the site has also incorporated a 1367 sq ft external terrace. Due to a number of unavoidable delays, work on the external terrace is yet to be completed and it is not currently open to the public.

The restaurant features a contemporary interior that is in keeping with the innovative design theme that all Zizzis share. However, the development has maintained a unique sensibility with a range of stylistic touches that are associated with the exclusive Greenwich location.

Dover Design Managing Director, Jon Dover, explained:

“All Zizzi Ristorantes connect themselves to their surroundings by establishing a design theme that is in some way closely linked to their location. As Greenwich has a rich maritime history, the designers at B3 decided to continue that narrative in the restaurant by including specific imagery and design features.

“Because the building is quite compact and features low ceilings, it gives the impression of being aboard a ship. To enhance this idea further, B3 created three specific environments that are apparent as you move through the building: the embarkment, map room and promenade. On the ground floor we included gauge lines, welded details to the bar and kitchen and installed over-head luggage racks, reclaimed suitcases and tea crates. The aim of this was to create an area that was reminiscent of a boat’s hull.

“On the mezzanine floor, to evoke the feeling of being in a ship’s map room, the dining space was designed accordingly with navigational paraphernalia and map drawers.

“When we came to the design of the first floor, B3 wanted an on-deck feel and used dark blue timber with white tiles, deck chairs and bulkhead light fittings. The external deck provides diners with tremendous views that overlook the Cutty Sark and the River Thames.”

Additional features include marble countertops, bespoke elevated seating and a drinks bar on each level of the building.

The exterior facade of the restaurant features a flat brass shingle roof with treated timber slats and associated restaurant signage. Timber fins were also installed on the exterior of the building in order to minimise glare.

During the construction of Zizzi Ristorante Greenwich, three other restaurants – Nando’s, Byron and Frankie and Benny’s – were built concurrently on Greenwich Promenade. Whilst this has created an eclectic eating hotspot for diners, the close proximity of each site created a number of challenges for the contractors working on Zizzi Ristorante.

Gary Bluff Projects Ltd Managing Director, Gary Bluff, said:

“There were four restaurants being built at the same time, so access to site was often very difficult and some vehicles had to queue for a considerable amount of time just to access our site. We tried to schedule work as best as possible but as this wasn’t always achievable we had to work around this problem as best as we could.”

Jon Dover added:

“With four restaurants conducting fit-out work simultaneously, this put pressure on some areas of our project and unfortunately this resulted in a few delays. However, in spite of the challenges the project was completed only a week behind schedule.

“Gary Bluff Projects Ltd is one of the best contractors we have worked with, and under the circumstances no one else would have been able to complete the work on this project any quicker.”

Gary Bluff said:

“Despite the challenges faced we really enjoyed working on this project as all of Zizzi Ristorantes offer something different. Seeing what designers such as Dover Design and B3 can come up with is very interesting and from our point of view we never feel as if we are conducting the same work twice.

“It is very satisfying to see this project completed but what’s best is the knowledge that the site is now open and running smoothly. This is a prime location for a restaurant like this and I believe Zizzi Greenwich is going to be a fantastic success.”

Zizzi Ristorante Shrewsbury

Completed in March 2012, Zizzi Ristorante Shrewsbury is located in Shrewsbury town centre on the site of a former public house. The site was converted from a Grade II listed building and takes inspiration from naturalist Charles Darwin.

Dover Designs project managed the site and provided the framework design for the project.

Jon Dover said:

“Prior to our involvement on Zizzi Ristorante Shrewsbury, this building had been converted at least three times. As a result, the site was a warren of small spaces created from previous works.

“This created a number of challenges for the conversion, however we overcame them to create another successful Zizzi. It’s great to see the transformation completed.”

Zizzi Ristorante Harrogate

Zizzi Harrogate was completed in February 2012 and like the Shrewsbury site was converted from a Grade II listed building that was previously a public house. As the building is a late-Victorian structure, a degree of internal structural works was undertaken during the conversion to open up the building. This created three distinct areas within the restaurant – the Park, the Tearoom and the Parlour – and also helped to create a bright and inviting interior.

As with all of the Zizzi Ristorantes, the interior design takes its inspiration from its surroundings, including the rural countryside and Harrogate’s famous tea room Bettys. The site features tea cup lighting and milk bottle chandeliers.

The contractors encountered a number of unique challenges whilst working on the site, which subsequently required careful planning and organisation to overcome.

Jon Dover said:

“Due to the legal status of the lease we were unable to conduct a survey prior to taking over the site. This meant that we couldn’t identify potential problems until we occupied the building on the first day. This wasn’t an ideal situation and we did encounter a few problems, but we managed to rectify them, and now Zizzi Ristorante Harrogate looks fantastic.”

Zizzi Ristorante Lincoln

Completed in 2011, Zizzi Ristorante Lincoln is situated on Brayford Wharf on the site of a former nightclub. Due to the building’s spacious interior, Dover Design reworked the layout of the building to introduce a sharp contemporary design inspired by the famous local aerial stunt team the Red Arrows.

Features include a theatre kitchen, circular booth seating, a bold mural and LED lighting. The site also features artwork designed by artist Matt Kavan Brooks and textiles created by Luke Trybula. These design elements were included as part of Zizzi Ristorante’s ‘Fresh Talent’ initiative, a scheme designed to provide opportunities for talented individuals to showcase their creative skills.

Zizzi Ristorante Lincoln has already proved very successful with diners and is currently being considered for the Restaurant and Bar Design Awards.

 Zizzi Ristorante Cardiff 

Located along the city’s busy high street – just 200 yards from Cardiff Castle and five minute’s walk from Millennium Stadium – Zizzi Ristorante Cardiff is a 160-cover restaurant that has been converted from a former bank building.

The mid-Victorian structure features stunning period columns to the front of the building, whilst internal features include a spacious banking hall, exposed brickwork and a large drinks bar.

Dover Design Managing Director, Jon Dover, said:

“We first became involved with Zizzi & ASK in 2003 and Zizzi Cardiff was our very first site.

“Whilst the interior design of some restaurants can instantly put some diners off, the Gondola Group avoids this by presenting a warm and inviting environment within each Zizzi. Each restaurant is very tactile and engaging and this is something that really appeals to us as a designer.

“We’re very fortunate to have such a long-lasting working relationship with Zizzi Ristorante and we value our contribution to each site.

“We are now working on restaurants in Romford, Worcester and at Mermaids Quay in Cardiff. With more Zizzi Ristorantes planned for the future, we look forward to continuing our working relationship with the brand.”

J S Plumbing Services Ltd

Since 2004, J S Plumbing Services Ltd have provide specialist plumbing services for both the commercial and retail sectors. The company specialise in plumbing works for hotels, restaurants, public houses and leisure clubs and have worked on many high-profile projects including Pizza Express, Café Rouge, Menzies Hotels, Bella Italia and wagamama.

For Zizzi Ristorante J S Plumbing Services Ltd provide hot and cold drainage sanitary ware which includes the fit-out and installation of water systems for toilets and associated areas.

J S Plumbing Services Ltd Director, Alan Picken, said:

“Working on Zizzi Ristorante is extremely important for us and it’s equally important for us that they are satisfied with the work that we conduct.

“We like to get in on the ground level of a project to ensure that we can provide the highest quality of work for our clients.”

MDL Contract Furnishings

MDL Contract Furnishings specialise in all areas of contract furnishings for the leisure industry, from fixed seating and furniture to curtains and blinds. The company has been in operation for over three years and has provided furnishings for the likes of Pizza Express, Chimichanga and Greene King amongst others.

For Zizzi Ristorante, MDL Contract Furnishings has manufactured and installed fixed seating for more than a dozen restaurants.

MDL Contract Furnishings Managing Director, Paul Cuff, said:

“We value our relationship with Zizzi Ristorante and we enjoy working with such a high-profile brand.”

Paul Cuff added:

“What we’re most proud of at MDL Contract Furnishings is the fact that we offer our clients a personal service.”

Leech Group Services Ltd

Leech Group Services Ltd specialise in the design and installation of air conditioning, ventilation and kitchen extract systems. For over 20 years Leech Group Services Ltd has carried out projects for many restaurant groups including, ASK, Burger King, Café Rouge, Pizza Express, wagamama, Prezzo and Ping Pong.

For Zizzi Restaurants Leech Group Services Ltd have designed and installed the kitchen extraction and ventilation systems, extract canopies, and all associated HVAC systems for restaurants throughout the UK.

Leech Group Services Ltd Managing Director, Donald Leech, said:

“At Leech Group Services Ltd we pride ourselves on our innovative design, service, and the high standard of our installations – from conception to completion. We appreciate being part of a team and we value our working relationship with Zizzi Restaurants as we do all of our clients, undertaking all aspects of the HVAC projects including noise and odour control, planning and design.”

Technical Signs Ltd

Based in Watford and within the M25, Technical Signs have over 30 years experience in the manufacture of signage, bespoke lighting features and architectural metalwork.

Using the latest equipment and innovative ideas, the company believes that it is at the forefront of product design. Consistently being asked to help with projects by some of the country’s leading designers and whatever the request Technical Signs will endeavour to apply the design to the manufacture.

Technical Signs has manufactured and installed throughout the UK and Europe for many of Europe’s leading brands including Zizzi Ristorante, Pizza Express, Byron, Prezzo, Primark, Marks & Spencer and Thistle Hotel.

Technical Sign’s Managing Director, Ian Bigley, said:

“We have worked closely with the above clients for the past 15 years based on quality workmanship which has resulted in a long-standing partnership.

“Whether it be a simple one-off or a full scale roll-out programme, you can be assured that our full personal and professional commitment is guaranteed”.