Zio Mario's

6.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  9      Value  5     

Reservation for 12 people dined 26.06.2010. Reservation 19:00 hrs. Arrived approx 15 minutess early as trio of first lot of guests. At door to right was a man rolling pizza dough. I notifed him I was here under reservation (name). He said "You got the wrong person" which was a little cold for a first impression greeting.

Within 30 seconds, a waiter appeared, and efficiently ushered us to our table. Our other guests soon arrived. The initial service by the wait staff was friendly and efficient. Wine buckets were provided, and the correct glass ware was provided for sparkling and white wines that were BYO. Water bottles were placed also without asking which is always nice.

Garlic and herb breads were ordered as starters, which arrived promptly. Pizza bread variety, made on premises as you order. Both were lovely. The meal orders were taken very efficiently, and you could tell the wait staff were experienced. They brought the correct cutlery to the table for each diner who was having pasta or pizza, without referring to the order.

The wait staff also remembered who ordered what and for 12 people this was impressive, professional and friendly. I can not fault the service. The wait staff also knew the menu well. I would rate service from the wait staff right up there at 8-9/10.

The decor was circa 80's but an italian restaurant can get away with this. It was clean, but just very dated, from the light fittings, to the perspex pepper mill and plastic salad bowl. The bright, clashing decor to the wooden 80's style plate for the pizza but cliche in a typical traditional Italiano way. The restaurant is small. The rest rooms are out the back and spotlessly clean which I think is really important.

I would rate the atmosphere a 7/10, but if it were anything but traditional Italian, it would be more like a 5/10. It really could do with a reno (fit out) and some large round tables would be nice for larger groups, as a long thin table is difficult for communication for diners, especially a family affair/special occasion.

The food, the garlic and herb breads as said, were great although if I had to be picky, very slightly dry, but would order again and score 8/10.

The salad, basic and in a plastic bowl which reminded me of 80's pool ware. Basic salad, and no balsamic or olive oil to be seen. Cracked pepper care of a circa 80's perspex pepper mill and salt shaker (self serve on table).

Various pizza's were sampled from the menu. The one with "the lot" was everything but. A lot of onion and rather wet/sloppy, not much taste of anything else. The mushroom pizza was nice, but again the base was soft/soggy. Others were nothing to rave about.

The dishes around me that I sampled included the pepperoni fettuccine, the squid fettuccine, a veal dish served on rice, and some garlic prawns served on rice.

Firstly, I will say that the serving size for the pasta dishes was the smallest I had seen for an italian restaurant. It was a small soup bowl size. Admittedly, I am a large eater, but this was very small, even for the ladies. The taste of my pepperoni fettuccine though was excellent. Pasta cooked perfectly. A little too much oil, with the bowl swimming in oil when I had finished. Taste 7/10 but serving size 5/10.

The squid fettuccine was lovely. Squid was perfectly cooked and tender to the bite. Small serve, but excellent flavour. Pasta cooked perfectly. Food 8/10. Serving size 5/10.

The veal my father had was lovely, he was very impressed with the taste, but very disappointed by the serve. It came on a small oval dinner plate, the small amount of veal on a bed of rice, with the food covering about 2/3 of the small plate. 1/3 of the plate was bare, with two snow peas crossed on each other, ? to mark where the rest of the meal should have been. Taste 9/10, serve 4/10

The garlic prawns were over cooked and soft/mushy. Garlic sauce was very creamy/buttery. Again, very small, with rice, and 1/3 of the oval plate bare with the random two snow peas. Rate 4/10 for taste and serve.

Desserts, many of the desserts listed were not available (my third selection was available). Mango sorbet it was. The sorbet was rock hard, and icey on the top, indicating it was not fresh. It was out of a mould but served in a nice dish, with whipped cream and cherry, again circa 80's. Taste 6/10.

The second from the top (some chocolate ice cream soaked in a cherry liqour) was divine! Everyone's favourite and rated 8/10. Sticky date pudding was also a hit and was 8/10. Coffee's, First class! Variety of coffee's ordered. The presentation and quality of my affogato tia maria was really first class. Coffee had a lovely crema, perfectly made and presented really well. Everyone commented on the high quality coffee and was very impressed.

Over all I would rate this place, Food 7/10, Service 9/10 (except first greeting by? kitchen staff). Atmosphere 6/10 (but if not italiano it would be 5/10). Value for money 5/10.

Would I go back? Yes but there are other Italian Restaurants in Brisbane metro with equally chiche service, classier fit out, better food for less money!

Jun 26, 2010 

3.3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  2      Value  1     

Unfortunately, it appears this wonderful little place has suffered a decline in quality, by the looks due to a change of ownership. I am terribly, miserably disappointed! Zio Mario's had it all, excellent, friendly customer service and to-die-for meals. Now the customer service is nonchalant, and the meals measly, which leave you unsatisfied, not only in size but in taste. I sincerely regret wasting more than $60 on what was supposed to be a romantic evening out.

Mar 29, 2008 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  9     

Great pizza and pasta, staff are really friendly. It is a little family business. Had a awesome time.

Jan 24, 2007 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Staff friendly and welcoming (almost family like), food great, ambiance nice and relaxing with traditional background music and outdoor indoor dinning, we will be back.

Dec 15, 2006