The food here was excellent. We had a party of 5 and we didn't have a bad meal. We shared the warm spinach and lentil salad and a platter or guacamole, pico, and apple slaw, both of which were very good. The vegetable risotto and lobster risotto were out of this world. The portabello burger was good as well. The fries were amazing. Portions were fair for a nice restaurant.
We sat outside in the garden which was amazing on such a nice day. My wife and her family had frequented Za many times before the remodel and commented that the food was still delicious, but she missed the ambiance of the much smaller, more formal and intimate space before the renovations.
My biggest problem was they made us order both appetizers and entrées at one time and wouldn't take an order for my father-in-law who had to leave early without the whole party ordering in full. I enjoy slow dinners and taking my time and this stipulation made what was meant to be a special occasion feel somewhat rushed.
I was given a gift certificate for Christmas for Za.After reading the reviews on Yelp I wasn't too excited about going.I generally agree with yelp but this time I just don't get it.First of all the place is beautiful inside and so clean you could eat off the floor.The staff was very friendly.We had the mussels and the shrimp for appetizers both were excellent.For dinner we had the Blackberry Berkshire porkchop and the lobster risotto.Both meals were so delicious.For desert we split a chocolate soufflé I normally don't care much for desert but it was Sooooo good the best I ever had.I don't know how you could say anything negative about this place the food is nothing less than perfect.I am very happy with my Christmas gift and I have found a new favorite restaurant.
Review Source:It reminds me the museum when I walked in. And fully dressed waiter greeted me with good manner. Very clean and nicely decorated small restaurant. Â Services are nice but tend to slow.
They offer lunch special, I felt its bit overpriced. We had zaanwich platter and pink pomodoro with chicken. It's well prepared food but taste wasn't that impressive. They were trying to make the small boutique restaurant with nice service. But I didn't find any special things that I need to looking for to come here.
Oh, this place is BYOB.
Went for lunch and it was no different than a glorified cafeteria at a museum. Nice decor, overpriced food, noisy and slow service. I asked for a salad without walnuts because of a food allergy and they would not accommodate the request, which is the only restaurant I have ever been to that would not. Service was pretty slow, but friendly. Nice lunch menu, lots of options, but won't be back. Too many other places in Pennington that are just far better.
Review Source:Just posted my review on Trip Advisor regarding this place -- I recently visited Za restaurant since I hadn't been in there for a few years. I was told that they renovated because of Hurricane Irene (I later found out it was because of asbestos removal) and that their menu was reflecting great lobster dishes.
My companion had a wonderful tomato soup with a balsamic reduction, while I had the lentils and spinach salad, both very good. Â For entrees, he choose the tuna and I got the risotto. Â The tuna sat on fresh bok choy and noodles; the risotto was creamy and mushrooms were good. Â My dinner partner and I were both impressed with the waitstaff and actually chatted with a few. Â
MY PROBLEM??? When speaking with the waitstaff, I was told that they make a very good salary there. Â I said that must be great on top of the tips received; it was then I was informed that the waitstaff do NOT get the tip in total, if at all (at least that was the case with our server). Having waited tables many years ago, I figured they must split the tips with each other, since there's no bar and everyone helps with all the tables. Nope - I was told that, because the owners pay the servers so well, the tips go back into the improvement of the restaurant..huh?!!!!!! Â I DO NOT tip a server when I go out to eat so that the restaurant can make improvements, that's BS. Â And in fact, if what I was told truly is BS, I would love for the management/owners of this establishment to correct me if I'm wrong. Â Until then, I won't go back ~
Went to Za today for a quick, light lunch. Â We arrived early (11:45am) and were the only guests present. Â We were promptly given our choice of table in the garden area and sat next to the very nice stone pond.
Waitress immediately offered us water choices and walked us through the specials. Â She was very pleasant, bordering on overeager.
I ordered the corn salad special and my wife chose the goat cheese salad from the menu. Â Both were nicely executed and tasty - exactly what we wanted. Â The portions were on the small side though. Â When we added it all up, the bill was $41 for 2 salads (one with shrimp) and 2 iced teas. Â I work in Manhattan and am quite used to paying up for lunch but this seemed just a little rich for what it is.
We enjoyed sitting in the completely shaded garden but didn't realize how loud the traffic on Delaware Avenue is. Â Maybe it's better in the evening. Â Another peculiarity is the credit card surcharge. Â On the last page of the menu, management explains that credit cards carry hefty transaction costs and as a consequence the restaurant tacks on a 3% surcharge if you choose to use one (debit card and cash are, of course, exempt). Â Yes I was warned but after considering the overall value proposition here, the surcharge leaves a salty taste. Â Almost like going to the gas station - cash or credit?
The food and service were nice but overall, I don't suppose I'll be rushing back anytime soon.
The owner at Za's is the rudest person. He has no manners a nd obviously doesn't care about loyalty. I asked or sauce on the side of my fish and he said he couldn't do it. He said maybe I was eating it the wrong way. Â He is not accommodating and not flexible. I old never give this man my money no matter how good the food is.
Review Source:I had lunch there with a friend yesterday. Â I'm a fan. Â For $10 plus tax and tip we each got a salad and a pasta. Â There was enough to take some home afterwards. Â The food was tasty and it seemed like an original pasta recipe.
Even though they are near the busy Route 31, the restaurant inside was quiet. Â We sat outside where it was quite cool because of the fans even though this was a 95 degree day.
My female friend was young(er) and attractive and both male waiters were a little flirty with her, but she's used to that and she took it as a bit of a compliment.
Tonight was the fourth time we ate at Za and we will be returning many more times. The food was outstanding, the service professional and the atmosphere very nice, particularly since they've practically tripled their indoor seating. Unfortunately the weather was not cooperating, so the garden was closed this time. I have no idea what the people who complain are all about; they wouldn't know fine dining from a mossy rock. The chef offers both vegetarian and vegan/gluten-free options and they're all delicious. It's not cheap, but they do food right. And why are people complaining about BYOB, it's the best of all worlds.
Review Source:Great to see it has re-opened after flooding from Irene! went there twice for lunch and loved the Tuna with soba noodles. Cozy restaurant and good food. Luckily, I didn't have to ask for any substitutes (I hear the chef adamantly does not permit any) which is unusual given my cheese intolerance.
Review Source:If I could do zero stars I would. Have eaten many a time at this place since Pennington has hardly Any restaurants. Food is over-priced, tasteless, and owners are rude. Hears hoping since they are now closed they move far away!!!! I love a nice fishy smell when I walk in a restaurant, gross!
Good riddance!
We moved to the area about six months ago but the mixed reviews on Yelp had kept us away from Za... until today. And I'm happy to report that the service was just fine and the food was downright mouthwatering.
I had the soup of the day, a tomato goat cheese bisque, and the chorizo zaandwich (their cute name for all their sandwich selections). Both were served hot and absolutely delicious. I wanted more of each, but that doesn't mean the portions were small, in fact, they were just right for lunch. My wife also had the soup along with a wonderful mediterranean lentil dish.
Atmosphere was very cozy and cute and the owner was very helpful and accommodating on the phone when we were running late.
We can't wait to go back for dinner!
Really want to rate this restaurant higher, love the concept, and love the balance of the menu. So what knocks this down?
For starters, the prices are high, but not outlandishly so. The room in which you dine is crowded to the point that it can be hard to hear yourself talk, much less your colleague.
Then the service, which I can only describe as aggressively unhelpful. They seem annoyed to seat you, and seemingly take pride in telling you that item "x" is not available. I have been once for dinner and twice for lunch, and two of those three trips i was left wondering what's the lowest tip i can leave that still leaves some dignity to the bus-people/cleaners etc, yet conveys my dismay at the service.
Then there's the food, never bad but you expect more. Again the concept is so powerful I really wanted to like this place, but i just couldn't, and won't go back after 3 trips total.
Ok if you are 55 and older and have lots of money to splurge on crappy food then this is the place for you. The place is in a run down building with ceiling tiles. The outside patio is nice but come winter you'll have to eating in dining room that looks like a school cafeteria. The manager is socially inept and the food is EXPENSIVE! Â $30 for an average entree special. For four people our dinner came to $160. Â And that's with a BYOB PLACE! Save your money and go to Blue Bottle or Harvest Moon.
In Response to the Chef below...
Very professional. Â As a employee of a restaurant who says, "If you can't pay don't come." That's classy! Â This is Yelp. Â Myself and everyone has a right not to like your restaurant and I intend to write my opinion. Â I CAN afford high prices but the price should be comparable to quality. Â Your food is crap, over salted, bland and fishy. Â When you bring your fish dishes out I can smell them a mile away. Â You are so used to old cheese balls who have no sense of smell or taste who routinley go to your restaurant because they don't know any better and give you glowing reviews. Â Then when a young foodie comes to your restaurant and slams it you get offended. Â Look at the restaurants I've been to, Daniel in NYC, Harvest Moon Inn, Blue Bottle, Blue Point Grill ect. Â Very expensive. But i'm getting what I pay for. Â That's not the case at your restaurant.
I went to Za with my family and had a delightful experience. We sat outside in the garden and loved that it was a BYOB. The menu was fresh and had a lot of local produce which was appreciated. We all finished our plates with every course. Even my grandmother who never finishes her meal left without a doggie bag! There were great local corn and tomato dishes. Everything tasted fresh. The price wasn't too bad considering portion size and how much we ate. I only had a brief encounter with the owner, but he seemed fine. Then again - we didn't complain, ask for any modifications or send any food back.
Review Source:Decided to try out this restaurant with some co-workers and what a winner!!! I love this place!! The restaurant is absolutely adorable inside...small but very comfortable. Â But best of all the food was so delicious!! The dishes were very fresh and creative (I had grilled cheese with fresh basil on Indian naan bread). I definitely want to go back and try more things and I can't wait til I go back!!
Review Source:The food is DELICIOUS and deserves FIVE STARS!!!!
I've been here before and had an amazing experience, wait staff was friendly and great with my toddler and the food was incredible.
But my experience on May 19 was truly disappointing! Â We wanted to take my husband's family to Za because the food was so good, we were a party of 7, including a toddler. Â We arrived around 7:45 and waited for someone to seat us. Â When the waitress saw such a big party you could see the annoyance on her face. Â She told us she had a table outside but we had to squeeze 7 people on a table meant for 6. Â When we told her we wanted to sit inside she was now really annoyed. Â The restaurant isn't that big, and serving both parts of the restaurant isn't a big deal! Â Once again she told us we could take the table of 6 and squeeze together. Â When my husband told her that wouldn't work she because nasty and said, "Well, you're going to have to wait awhile because I'm just too busy!" Â So we left. Â Had she been nicer and told us to wait a few minutes and she'll set our table us we would have waited. Â Mind you there was no one in the inside dinning room. Â There was a table for 10 she could have given us. Â But no she was rude, nasty, and mean. Â I was really looking forward to my meal at Za. Â We went to another restaurant where the staff was much much nicer!
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