Grand Opening of Zizzi @ Central St Giles

Situated in the middle of the new Central St Giles development (which you can’t have failed to miss if you’re ever around Tottenham Court Road – it’s that group of multi-coloured mixed use buildings behind Centre Point down towards Holborn) you’ll find the latest addition to the Zizzi restaurant chain. I was over there for the grand opening earlier this evening, and what a night! There was music from Grammy nominated singer and saxophonist Becki Biggins, and Zizzi Fresh Talent artist Camille Rousseau was also there to talk about the art that she has created specifically for the Central St Giles location.

Becki will be appearing each Thursday evening during December to compere a new Zizzi Sessions night, where diners will be treated to sets from singer/songwriter Nell Ryder, Lily Osborne, Sarah Ellen Hughes and folk/rock singer Michael Lucas. The new location is intimately tied in with the Prince’s Trust, who also had representatives at the venue tonight – guests who are prepared to get up and ‘Sing for their supper’ with the band on Thursday nights will be rewarded with a free main meal, the price of which will be donated to the Prince’s Trust. Further, if guests choose to sit at the ‘Chef’s Table’ on any night of the week, the cost of their meals will also be donated to the charity. Martina Milburn, the Prince’s Trust Chief Executive, had this to say;

“Thousands of vulnerable young people in Britain are struggling to overcome unemployment and poverty. We’re thrilled to work with Zizzi to give these youngsters the self-belief they need to transform their lives. Just £3 can provide two weeks’s support for a vulnerable young person, helping them to find their first job”.

I should also talk about the artistic design of this new venue, which centres around a ‘tree’ that sprouts up from the central column supporting the restaurant’s roof, designed by ceramicist James Rigler. Adding to that spectacle are enormous detailed illustrations of old maps of the area, recreated on the walls by Camille Roussea on the walls next to the serving area. Camille is also responsible for extending the tree’s root system down into the basement! She was also on hand tonight, personalising beermats embossed with unique examples of her work, which were on sale in aid of the Prince’s Trust.

From Zizzi Central Saint Giles, November 2010

If the artwork and Thursday night live music aren’t enough to tempt you to go along and check this new venue out, they’re pretty confident that they’re the first restaurant in the UK to have Prosecco available on draft…