Prezzo

So how should you judge a restaurant? Purely on the quality of the food or whether they delivered a good experience?
I went to Prezzo for a colleague’s leaving do tonight. Prezzo is an expanding chain of Italian restaurants, which is aiming at the slightly higher end of the market with some swanky decorations.
The prices had always struck me as being on the high side — £8.95 for spaghetti carbonara — compared to other Italian chains. However, my colleague had printed out vouchers for everyone’s use, which offered a starter, a main and drink for £10. There was a choice of 4 starters and about ⁶⁄₇ mains.
Well, the food was distinctly average and at the risk of being wrong, I suspect the food is largely pre-​cooked and reheated or re-​constituted on-​site. The pizza bases were a bit soggy and my mozzarella in carozza looked a little too perfect to have been produced from scratch on-​site. My spaghetti carbonara was nice if a little light on the pancetta.
So, 3 stars really for the food. However, with the reduced price and the fact that the serving staff coped very well indeed with our big group with the food arriving quickly and together, I feel obliged to raise my review to 4 stars. Well done especially to the manageress in charge who led from the front and kept her staff well motivated by leading by example.
I’m not sure I would return just for the food at full price, especially with other Italian dining options close by but the staff did work hard to make sure we were well looked after tonight.