Ethan Hamilton
Went for dinner with some colleagues at Zizzi Norwich. I am vegan (due to allergies) and gluten intolerant. I checked the allergen guide/menu well in advance and saw multiple options I could have including a pizza, 2 pasta dishes, sweet potato fries, regular fries, and strawberry sorbet. My group of colleagues very kindly selected this restaurant due to the number of options apparently available to me which was very kind of them. On entering the restaurant, we were asked for any allergies and I advised I am vegan + gluten free and was told this was no issue at all and reassured. I ordered the vegan non-gluten margherita pizza, to then be told there’s no vegan cheese so this was not possible. I then asked for one of the vegan non-gluten pasta dishes, and was told there’s no gluten free pasta so neither were possible. I then asked for the sweet potato fries, and was told this was not possible either. The waiter then advised they would give me 2 portions of regular fries at no charge which was kind. These portions, while doubled and very tasty, were still quite small and not filling at all while surrounded by people with good portioned meals. We also asked for a jug of water for the table when we ordered drinks and did not receive this, so had to ask again when we ordered desserts. For dessert, I spotted that the strawberry sorbet was suitable for me without needing any adjustments, so I ordered 2 scoops. My colleague sat next to me ordered the same for dessert and the same number of scoops, however when the bill came we saw that she was charged less for the same product, and mine said vegan sorbet, even though the strawberry sorbet was vegan anyway. Initially I thought I had been charged for an extra scoop by accident, but saw the bill listed 2 scoops so the number was correct, so I was being charged the price of 3 scoops for the exact same (no adjustments) product as someone else because there was an awareness of my allergies. It is already embarassing enough attending social food events, and I never expect people to cater to my dietary needs because I know it is difficult, but to be advertised multiple products and reassured on entry, for almost none of these to be available, and then charged extra for the same product as someone else when it did not even need to be adjusted is unacceptable and was incredibly embarrassing. I know I could have challenged the bill before leaving, but I was so embarrassed and let down by the whole evening that was meant to be a special employment anniversary event for my colleagues, that I just paid it on the QR code so I could leave as quickly as possible. I am not one to make complaints ever, and my dietary needs are my own issue and nobody else’s, but if you can’t provide a service, don’t advertise it, so that people with dietary requirements have a chance to find an alternative place to go. The staff were very kind and apologetic, but unfortunately that does not stop me going hungry, so would like to leave this review in hope this changes in future and that dietary needs alternatives are kept stocked, and as a heads up to other people with dietary needs that this may not be the best place to go.
Celiac friendly
