Now I went to Zazu based on a a Wine Spectator recommendation of the area (Sonoma / Healdsburg). It was positive at the very least, so my expectations were high but not over enthusiastic.

Arrived 10 minutes early for my reservation, was seated 15 minutes after my reservation. No big deal.

Sat down, and reviewed the menu, only to have water and no drink offerings made initially. After about another 10 minutes, wine and beer was made available to us. Order was taken by the hostess not the server.

Questions about the menu were responded to sharply, with very little description outside of what the meal consisted of. No personal opinion (although asked for) was able to be given from the waitress. One memorable quote given to us was "it costs $14 dollars (pasta dish); so you shouldn't expect much (with respect to size)". Ahem, why are you telling me the price I can see it on the menu, so I guess at $14 dollars for flour and sauce I shouldn't expect much .... ok then, excellent sales tactic ! (sarcasm implied).

I ordered the Sturgeon Caviar and my girlfriend the antipasto plate, both were bland and tasteless. I think they were trying to do Italian with the antipasto... but it just came out like olive oil on stuff, really why do the roasted peppers not taste roasted .. is this supposed to be roasted or oil pickled ? why does the sausage with so much fat have so little flavor and so brittle ? (just some of the questions that came into my head as my tongue confused it). The Sturgeon Caviar was sparse, and the creme with it was too much for the portion size; is Caviar supposed to be a bit salty ? I couldn't tell cause there was so much cream on the plate and so little caviar.

Our mains were their iron steak (which I think was flank meat grilled). At $20+ a plate, I'd hope for a little higher quality meat, again I was disappointed. Although perfectly cooked at medium rare, the beef was far from tender. I live in the Midwest now and I can get better meat at the discount grocery store.

Dessert was skipped due to the appetizer and main.

Overall, waitress was unpleasant, food was overpriced for the quality, presentation and flavors. I think the extensive wine drinking in the area disrupts the patrons pallets so they can get away with this quality of food.

All in all, not very exciting.

On a high note, the busboy service was spot on, I commented to the busboys they were the highlight of the night.

This is a horrible first post but I am a Wine Spectator reader, and this recommendation was truly disappointing. I walked away from the establishment thinking, I've had better. Much better.

Welcome to the site.

So are you saying Zazu was the Pitts?

Good one Board-O, but maybe decades over the head of most of the forum contributors.

The steak, BTW, was probably what is know as flatiron, which is different than flank steak, usually much more tender. It is an excellent cut if grilled properly. Like flank steak, it need a marinade, sauce, or copious herbs to show at its best.

I know. That's one reason I spelled out her last name. I remember her as Nugey.

Sylens

Sorry Zazu didn't meet your expectations. Except for a handful of the top restaurants, service has always been a problem in general in Sonoma. The food issue is another thing. Living here, I eat at Zazu with some regularity and have experienced the occasional miss, but I’m generally won over by what the kitchen produces.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Welcome to the site.

So are you saying Zazu was the Pitts?

now that's funny, right there.

And, no, I'm not old enough for the reference...

For what it is worth,

I eat at Zazu with some frequency -- it is actually my favorite dinner spot in Sonoma after a day of wine tasting. While I have noticed some very minor service issues -- largely due to bing understaffed one night -- I have never been treated the way OP describes and I and my dinner companions have always enjoyed every dish we ordered. To be fair, I haven't been there in about 5 or 6 months. But, unless something has changed remarkably, I would consider this to be a really bad experience at a really good restaurant and one that would probably not be repeated on a return visit.

I guess what I'm saying is, I have said several things in dissagreement with WS on this board. But, again, unless there has been a marked change since the beginning of 2007, I would come strongly to WS's defense on reccomending Zazu, based upon my experiences there.

quote:

Originally posted by winetarelli:
For what it is worth,

I eat at Zazu with some frequency -- it is actually my favorite dinner spot in Sonoma after a day of wine tasting. While I have noticed some very minor service issues -- largely due to bing understaffed one night -- I have never been treated the way OP describes and I and my dinner companions have always enjoyed every dish we ordered. To be fair, I haven't been there in about 5 or 6 months. But, unless something has changed remarkably, I would consider this to be a really bad experience at a really good restaurant and one that would probably not be repeated on a return visit.

I guess what I'm saying is, I have said several things in dissagreement with WS on this board. But, again, unless there has been a marked change since the beginning of 2007, I would come strongly to WS's defense on reccomending Zazu, based upon my experiences there.

Winetarelli,

You sure do get up early, or go to bed late!

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by winetarelli:
For what it is worth,

I eat at Zazu with some frequency -- it is actually my favorite dinner spot in Sonoma after a day of wine tasting. While I have noticed some very minor service issues -- largely due to bing understaffed one night -- I have never been treated the way OP describes and I and my dinner companions have always enjoyed every dish we ordered. To be fair, I haven't been there in about 5 or 6 months. But, unless something has changed remarkably, I would consider this to be a really bad experience at a really good restaurant and one that would probably not be repeated on a return visit.

I guess what I'm saying is, I have said several things in dissagreement with WS on this board. But, again, unless there has been a marked change since the beginning of 2007, I would come strongly to WS's defense on reccomending Zazu, based upon my experiences there.

Winetarelli,

You sure do get up early, or go to bed late!

The later. I'm young

Call me silly, but the comments smack horribly of someone with a grudge. Perhaps an employee of one of Zazu's competitors, or someone who was just fired.

For the record, I haven't eaten there, but one post, and it's a bomb drop. I'm not buying it.

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
Call me silly, but the comments smack horribly of someone with a grudge. Perhaps an employee of one of Zazu's competitors, or someone who was just fired.

For the record, I haven't eaten there, but one post, and it's a bomb drop. I'm not buying it.

I agree; and I do not know the place either.

quote:

Originally posted by redknife:

quote:

Originally posted by indybob:
Call me silly, but the comments smack horribly of someone with a grudge. Perhaps an employee of one of Zazu's competitors, or someone who was just fired.

For the record, I haven't eaten there, but one post, and it's a bomb drop. I'm not buying it.

I agree; and I do not know the place either.

This is, indeed, a good point.

quote:

Questions about the menu were responded to sharply, with very little description outside of what the meal consisted of. No personal opinion (although asked for) was able to be given from the waitress. One memorable quote given to us was "it costs $14 dollars (pasta dish); so you shouldn't expect much (with respect to size)". Ahem, why are you telling me the price I can see it on the menu, so I guess at $14 dollars for flour and sauce I shouldn't expect much .... ok then, excellent sales tactic ! (sarcasm implied

Yikes! If that waitress does indeed exist I can guarantee you she no longer works there. If you really want a great solid restaurant check out Cena Luna in Healdsburg. 90% of their business is repeat local business. Service is flawless and I have yet to have a bad meal.

My girlfriend and I went to Zazu during our visit to Napa/Sonoma last summer. We didn't really have any expectations, but we loved our waitress and the food so much, we came back the next night. I didn't find it cutting edge cuisine, but I don't think that's what they are going after. The ingredients were fresh and local, and everyone knows local is the new organic. The wine list was small, but well chosen. We drank a single vineyard selection from Radio-Coteau la Neblina that was really good, can't remember if it was 2004 or 2005. I would recommend the restaurant to anyone visiting the area. The place is understaffed, but he waitress always apologized, and I didn't mind, it's not as if I had anywhere else to be except back at the hotel in the hot-tub, and the conversation was good. Highly recommended wine country eatery!