Veganuary: living on the veg at Zizzi

It is rumoured that over a quarter of a million people are taking part in Veganuary this year.  
Now I must admit I am not vegetarian or vegan. However, January seems a good place to start as a New Year’s resolution.  
 
Zizzi, the Italian themed restaurant with three branches in the North East, has taken note of Veganuary by extending their menu to include even more vegan and vegetarian choices than before. 

Starters at Zizzi

I started off with the garlic bread with mozzarella, which is suitable for vegetarians. The bread came served on a wooden board with the garlic bread dressed in a thick layer of mozzarella and caramelised onions.

Priced at £6.25 it might seem a bit pricey for what you actually get, however the serving is so big it is ideal for sharing. Soft and a little on the doughy side, the bread was served hot with the mozzarella and caramelised onions melting into the bread.

Mains

My partner chose the Ravioli Di Capra for her main, the vegetarian dish priced at £10.70. The ravioli parcels were packed out with goat’s cheese, spinach and tomatoes in a pomodoro sauce finished with pesto and pine nuts. It was described as delicious.  

I chose the Rainbow Vegan Lasagne which was full of layers upon layers of deliciousness – butternut squash, beetroot and red onion, and spinach – and oven-baked, topped with pesto and breadcrumbs, and served in a pomodoro sauce with fresh basil. Yes, I did miss the meat in my lasagne, but the mixture of the ingredients nearly made up for the meaty omission.  It was definitely a dish I would eat again. 

Something sweet at Zizzi

Desserts are priced from £6.25 with at least ten options for vegans or vegetarians. My partner decided upon the Salted Honey, Raspberry, and Pistachio Cheesecake. If you like a firm biscuit base on your cheesecake you will not be disappointed, though the Pistachio tended to take away the taste of the other ingredients. This particular dessert is priced at £6.75. 
 
I tried the Coconut, Raspberry, and Choc Slice priced at £6.15. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians the creamy coconut and raspberry sat on a firm chocolate biscuit base, served with cocoa and coconut popcorn and strawberry sorbet it was a winner – and vegan too! 
 
For best value, though, the Winter Warmer menu priced at £20.95 offers 3 courses from Monday to Friday from 5pm and all day weekends. 

Find a Zizzi restaurant 

The Zizzi restaurants in the North East are located at: 
 
Durham, 43-44 Sadler Street, Durham DH1 3Nu 
MetroCentre, 42 Garden Walk, Gateshead NE11 9XY 
Newcastle, 42 Grey Street, Newcastle NE1 6AE 
 
https://www.zizzi.com/menus/3-course-set-menu