Zazu
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Zazu is in the forefront of serving delicious, inventive food based on seasonal, local ingredients, without the pretense or price of some of the other well-known restaurants of its kind. Vegetables and pork products come from the owners' own farms, and the menu changes daily.
Atmosphere
My Mother lives about 2 country blocks from Zazu, and when I first told her of our desire to go there, her response was, 'Oh, that place? There's never anyone there.' Despite her being downright wrong, plenty of people go there, and even more than plenty of people hold it in very high regard, it's easy to understand her confusion. Zazu sits alone, quiet and unpretentious, on a corner in a rural residential neighborhood, with nothing more than a simple Open sign to mark its presence. Outside a large dirt parking lot and a small garden add to its down-home appeal. Sometimes a cat will greet you as you approach the door. You gotta love a restaurant that has a friendly mascot.
Inside Zazu is equally unpretentious, furnished with a mish-mash of cooper-plated tables and small wooden farm chairs. On the walls, everything from mirrors, to art, to homey brick-a-brack, in no particular order or color scheme. The walls are painted a warm color of brick red. Simple, small votives light the cozy dining room, which hold about 12 tables. The wood floors can make it noisy when only a few tables are full.
Inside Zazu is equally unpretentious, furnished with a mish-mash of cooper-plated tables and small wooden farm chairs. On the walls, everything from mirrors, to art, to homey brick-a-brack, in no particular order or color scheme. The walls are painted a warm color of brick red. Simple, small votives light the cozy dining room, which hold about 12 tables. The wood floors can make it noisy when only a few tables are full.
Service
Service at Zazu is friendly and professional, though I prefer servers that do not cross the line by leaning or sitting on the banquette as they talk to you (when, exactly, did that become okay?) Food knowledge is paramount in a restaurant like this, and our server was quick to offer explanations and guidance.
Food
Zazu focuses on local ingredients, many of which come from it's own gardens; its pork and pork products come from the owners' line of heritage breed pigs. Therefore, it's no surprise that the menu, which changes daily, is filled with fresh produce and simply-prepared meats. To start, a large salad of Brussel sprouts and crunchy almonds was set off by creamy Capriago cheese and salty Black Pig bacon ($13.5) The tangy vinaigrette may have been a little overpowering, but maybe because I prefer Brussel sprouts to be left alone in their perfect bland glory. Still, the salad in all was exceptional.
For entrees, a plate of delicate quail and salt point mushrooms ($26.5) was beautifully presented on a bed of goat cheese gnocchi and rocket, with a decadent aroma of truffle oil. The meat fell off the bone with a perfect roasted flavor, and although the gnocchi were a little heavy as far as gnocchi go, their hearty flavor was not unwelcome.
Wild Pacific Prawns ($26) were delicate and meaty, cooked to perfection, and laid over a very large and surprisingly spicy chile relleno, made with a thick and crunchy crust and stuffed with blue corn grits that seductively oozed out over the plate and melted in the mouth.
For dessert, a signature dish of peanut butter cookie and house-made gelato sandwiches ($9), with warm Scharffen Berger chocolate for dipping was, unfortunately, not as great as it sounded, the cookies having very little flavor, and the chocolate being too thin to have real appeal.
For entrees, a plate of delicate quail and salt point mushrooms ($26.5) was beautifully presented on a bed of goat cheese gnocchi and rocket, with a decadent aroma of truffle oil. The meat fell off the bone with a perfect roasted flavor, and although the gnocchi were a little heavy as far as gnocchi go, their hearty flavor was not unwelcome.
Wild Pacific Prawns ($26) were delicate and meaty, cooked to perfection, and laid over a very large and surprisingly spicy chile relleno, made with a thick and crunchy crust and stuffed with blue corn grits that seductively oozed out over the plate and melted in the mouth.
For dessert, a signature dish of peanut butter cookie and house-made gelato sandwiches ($9), with warm Scharffen Berger chocolate for dipping was, unfortunately, not as great as it sounded, the cookies having very little flavor, and the chocolate being too thin to have real appeal.
Cleanliness
Very clean, though not shiny or new.
Pros
Wonderful and exciting food in a casual, inviting environment.
Cons
Service a little too casual, Dessert disappointing.
