Holy food orgasm!
My gal pal and I went here for a weeknight dinner date, and could not stop the "eating madness". Â We decided to start with the 'Taco-Dosa' of Blue Goat Cheese, Roasted Cipollini Onions, Fragrant Tomato Curry and Roasted Beets, Baby Greens, Spiced Hazelnuts, French Feta, Greek Yogurt with Hazelnut Vinaigrette (Yes, I had to copy the descriptions from the menu. Â It would have been a crime if I hadn't!). Â After stopping short of licking both plates, we moved onto the Sesame Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with Pan-Fried Rice Noodles and Red Coconut Curry Sauce and Seared Sea Scallops, Smoked Freekeh, Date Puree & Marcona Almonds. Â There was a symphony in my mouth and I did not want it to stop playing. Â Yes, I was guilty of dragging my fork around the plate and bowl, trying to get any tidbit that did not land in my mouth the first time around.
The restaurant reminds me of a zen garden and the staff is great. Â Thanks to the relaxing atmosphere, I did not feel like I was going to "food hell" for gorging on everything in sight!
Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
Had to wait 15 minutes for a table even though we had reservations and there were multiple tables open. The service was quite poor.
My fiancees fish entree was not cooked all the way through. Had to send it back.
The portions are tiny and the quality is mediocre.
The groupon i had helped soften the blow. Unfortunately, though i really wanted to like this place, I will not be going back.
Went here on a Groupon on a Thursday night. Â I had heard that it's never crowded so we didn't make a reservation and walked in at 6:30pm. Â There were only a handful of people dining and many open tables. Â The hostess asked if we had a reservation, I said no. Â She then asked if I was dining on a Groupon and when I said yes, she said that all the tables were booked for the night and that they had an opening on Saturday. Â it was strange considering there were so many open tables. We saw the bar area completely empty so we asked if we could just sit at the bar. Â She said she'd have to check with her manager. Â After leaving and coming back, she told us that a table opened up and that we could be seated in the dining room. Â Seemed a little fishy to me. Â So, this didn't start our dining experience off to a great start. Â
The place was nicely decorated but it seemed very stuffy. Â It was so quiet in there that you felt you needed to whisper. Â Our waiter was even quiet and would whisper when telling us about the menu and taking our order. Â
We ordered the Crab Cakes as an appetizer and they were very good as the other reviewers have mentioned. Â
I ordered the Salmon as a main dish and the water asked how I would like it prepared and he suggested medium so I went with that, but the Salmon seemed to be more rare than medium. It was a little too raw for my taste. Â The apple tart pastry that came with it was good tho. Â The presentation of the food was nice. Â
My friend ordered the halibut. Â She said it was ok, but that she's had better. Â Her presentation of the food was just average as well. Â Her dish came with these noodle things that unfortunately looked like little magets so it wasn't that appealing. Â
We also split a side of the Truffle mashed potatoes and they were unfortunately really dry and not moist at all. Â
We didn't order dessert, but we were given little chocolate cupcakes that were on the house, but they were nothing special and were even a little dry. Â
The whole time we were there, the restaurant never filled up and there were so many open tables that it put a bad taste in our mouths that we were originally told that they were booked for the night. Â
When we got the check there was a note in there about an 18% gratuity added to our bill because we had a Groupon. Â It was fine considering we usually tip 20% anyway, but it was just strange. Â Overall, it felt like they weren't very inviting to Groupon users. Â They probably shouldn't have offered one in the first place. Â
Our waiter overall was nice and attentive but he was a little on the weird side. Â
In a nutshell, it seemed to be just an average restaurant for being so upscale. Â I can't say that I will ever go back.
This is my fave place in Chicago for a fancy dinner. Slight Asian influence to dishes, presentation is beautiful. Filet was fantastic. Sorbet in fruit soup is amazing--I've been here twice and the flavored were honeysuckle and caucus flower. Restaurant is quiet with ambiance music and white table clothes. Amuse to begin the meal, petite dessert at the end.
Review Source:My husband and I visited this evening to celebrate our anniversary and found the service to be competent and attentive and the food to be delicious. We ordered the crab cake appetizer  (one for each of us).  I ordered the eggplant entree and my husband ordered a Chilean sea bass. I highly recommend this restaurant and would return for a special occaision. It's a bit expensive (for us) for every day dining but if you are trying to impress a date, bring lots of money and try Zealous.
Review Source:Terrible. I would have given it zero if I could.
I'm talking about the service, well there are waiters but literally there was no service. The server who served our table was either on drugs so he did not know what he was doing, or he simply doesn't like his job. He should take an ENGLISH CLASS so he know how english should be spoken in this kind of setting, because I do not expect HIP-HOP style english in a fairly high-classy restaurant. Well I don't even know his name he did not introduce anything at all, all he said was that the five course is the five course designed by the chef (so u won't know what you will be eating, except he mentioned the 3rd course would be lamp). Other than that he barely says anything to us during the whole meal, except that I can smell his strong cologne whenever he passed by our table.
Well, come on, I get way better service from Mcdonalds Burger King. You are kidding me if you are trying to sell a classy restaurant image, this is a joke because your server failed.
Or is it because I'm Asian so you guys don't think I should be eating in a classy restaurant?
PS: Food, if simply talking about the food, I would give it 1 star on my Cod fish (the halibut which i was going to order was "no longer available"). 0.5 star was for the Chef who came out to say hello. I did not complain to him as I just want get out of the restaurant ASAP.
Actually 3.5 stars.
I had a groupon to use so I grabbed a friend to check out Zealous. Â The first thing I noticed was on a Friday night the restaurant was pretty empty which I thought was pretty odd. Â We had a couple glasses of wine which were fine. Â
We started off with the Szechuan Blue Crab Cakes which was a unique take on the traditional crab cakes. Â They were pretty tasty and I enjoyed the bok choy that accompanied it while my friend did not (personal preference). Â We each got the sea scallops and split the Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta and Balsamic Glaze. Â I thought the scallops were just ok and I eat a lot of scallops. Â There was nothing wrong with them but I felt like they needed something more to the dish. Â I enjoyed the brussel sprouts but my friend said she has had better.
The service was fine...not out of this world awesome or horrible. Â
All in all not a bad restaurant but I'm glad I tried it out with a groupon.
We've been coming to Zealous for more than 10 years. We were back last week after almost two years. I have to say that Chef Taus just keeps on getting better. It made me wonder why it took so long to get back there. The food was beyond exquisite, the presentation...beautiful, and the service...attentive but not in you face. This is always a stop worth taking, and not just once in a while. The Zealous experience merits repeat! Â For creatively intense vegetarian dining options, no one does it better than Chef Taus. This always makes my wife happy (who is always in search of new and distinctive tastes)!
Chef Taus came out into the dining several times during the evening. He was very engaging and interested in his diners which to me is tells something of his passion and commitment to creating something wonderful (in food and atmosphere) for his diners.
As for wines...not a better cellar around, and the pairings are done perfectly. I love my wine, but leave your own cellar selections at home. You don't need them here. By bringing them you only diminish the experience - and will miss something really special.
Put this on your Not To Miss list!
We came on a Groupon.  Sat night, the place was almost empty about 7:00, and it never got crowded.  Poor disinterested waiter service (though we had a great, helpful busgirl - go figure!), luke warm appetizers (though tasty), good main dishes, silly markups on wine list, high corkage ($50/btl - we brought a marvelous Faiveley  '88 Chaignots), and a note with the bill about Groupon, automatic 18% tip ("for customer convenience" ...lol), and some silliness about paying cash or debit card. Â
Gordon Ramsey, if ever a place in Chicago needed your help, this is it. Â Basics of a great rest are there (innovative good tasting food), but a poorly run operation. Â My suggestion: Â Lower prices, drop Groupon, faster and friendlier service, drop corkage, lower winelist mark-up, etc. Â Then find a way to market the place without giving away the store, as w Groupon.
Postscript: Â I got a call while driving a few minutes ago from the owner, Michael, who first thanked me for my review, and then started to complain that the review was inaccurate ... He went on to say that the reason the corkage fee is so high is because he doesn't want people to bring their own wine (so why target customers via Groupon?). Â Then he told me he was 'saddened,' by the disrespectful review I posted, and that it would be better if I didn't return to Zealous. Â I wonder if this guy Taus calls every bad reviewer to intimidate/shame them into removing a bad review?
Bizarre ...
My husband brought me here to celebrate my birthday. Fine dining restaurants that cater to vegetarians are few and far between, so trying to plan something nice can be a challenge. He wanted to take me some place a little fancy and, I think, he wanted to trump his birthday dinner at Topolobampo. All I can say is "well played."
Everything we had was wonderfully prepared. The vegetarian tasting menu is delicious. My husband was pleased as well. Though he opted only for a burger rather than the tasting menu, he thought it was amazing. It was delivered medium rare rather than medium, but he still thought it was really tasty and juicy. He really enjoyed his starter as well (something involving potato and octopus, I think). The desert was lovely and they personalized it for my birthday, which is very nice. Although it never seemed like any of the portions were large, when I left I was so full it was ridiculous.
I agree with the other reviewer who felt the service wasn't particularly fine dining. Â I have to say I was happy about that. Personally, I have never had an experience which was enhanced by unnecessary formality. Our service was attentive and friendly. For me that's really what it's all about.
The decor was nice, clean, and modern. It was nice though not particularly welcoming. It's just a very minimalist set up.
I really enjoyed Zealous. Â My boyfriend called ahead of time to ensure they'd accommodate my plant-based diet, and sure enough they were more than willing to. Â In fact, they were incredibly attentive to my diet. Â I ended up having a five course meal, with dessert being the highlight of the meal. Â The upside down pineapple cake was pretty phenomenal, I only wish the portion was larger - I really couldn't believe it was vegan.
Review Source:My wife and myself went out for her bday dinner.. Â A few points..
1). Had a groupon, service was great..  Used my mileage plus visa, so I'm not sure  what the other reviewers are talking about, and yes they added 18 % tip to bill. So what, its Chicago at a nice place and you should tip 20%, so we added an extra five to bill to bring total up to par.
2) martini was well made.. Â All food ordered was well presented, very tasty. Â
3). Â yes it was not busy, but it was 630 on a Thursday, so unless your @ Rpm it was expected to be empty...
To sum, Â Great food, nice well informed servers.. Â And yes we used visa w groupon.
Really
Wow. Â I'm astounded by the low ratings and reviews. Â This is one of my husband's favorite places to go in the city. Â And he doesn't have very many. Â
Zealous is on the pricier side. Â But, it's worth every cent. Â For those that are saying the portions are on the smaller side...I have to disagree. Â The portions have always been big and have left me stuffed. (And I'm no spring chicken)
We went this past Friday night and I was again reminded of why I love this place. Â
I had the five course dinner and husbo had the seven. Â We left satisfied and stuffed. Â
We started w/a salmon and beet salad. Â Then moved to a pan fried grouper with sauteed octopus and chorizo. Â Next were mango pancakes with foie gras. Â Then a short rib, mushroom and potato lasagna, and a slice of filet. Â Next was a cheese plate with amazing french, swiss, and spanish cheeses, followed by a white peach sorbet in a honey ginger soup of some sort and last but not least chocolate pudding cake, key lime tart, and marscapone cheesecake.
All of this with a bottle of argentina wine, tax and tip and our bill was $200 after our $75 groupon. (BTW - we paid with our dinner with no problems with the groupon)
Even at $275 I still say it's a small price to pay for excellent food, fabulous wine, great service, and amazing atmosphere.
I decided to join a couple girlfriends out to dinner at this venue after we had scored a great Groupon deal online. Â We had been wanting to get together for a girls night out just the three of us and feel fancy with a bit of a discount on price ;) Â
After walking in and seeing all the tables empty and the dead bar it was clear why this restaurant was seeking help from Groupon (this was a Friday night mind you). Â Walking in it felt a bit awkward with the bright lighting and warehouse feel to it. Â The decor was lacking with the browning bamboo plants, and the over all chi of the place seemed to be unanimously a bit off amongst my friends.
We ordered a bottle of sparkling wine to spark the mood off and recieved a great recommendation from our server on a nice bottle. Â After some difficulty at opening the bottle however and the continuous struggle to actually keep the wine in our glasses while pouring, I began to wonder how much we were missing out on. Â
The menu looked incredible with the array of food options and the quality/class of ingredients incorporated in the dishes. The carrot puree dish provided before our meal was a nice treat from the kitchen which was not expected. Â The crab cake appetizer was delicious and didn't last long on the plate. Â All the entrees were delicious and I would definetely confirm that the food is the only thing keeping this place alive. Â
Apparently the place has been open for over 10 years... who would've known, doesn't seem like they get much traffic in and out the door... I think it's a little pricey (but the quality of the food is there), the entire decor and vibe needs to be re-evaluated, and perhaps there could be a little work on the service (although both guys serving our table were awesome, they were a bit awkward).
I don't think I'd go back, event thought the experience is mostly about the food, the vibe of a place is really important to me.
Came here for a Restaurant Week dinner on a weekday. We were promptly seated nearby the indoor bamboo garden while we looked over the menu.
We started with a tiny, delicate carrot-inspired puff pastry as our amuse-bouche
SZECHUAN BLUE CRAB CAKES
For all- things szechuan, I was expecting at least a hint of spiciness. Instead, I found the crab cakes a little lacking against the strong sweetness of the hoisin glaze. Â
ALASKAN HALIBUT
Wholesome pea puree with a bed of mushrooms. Nicely prepared fish garnished with fresh snow pea tips.
LIME TART & CHOCOLATE CAKE
My favorite course of the meal! I thoroughly enjoyed the scoop of basil ice cream along with the rich chocolate. The lime tart was refreshing with just the right hint of sweetness.
When we thought our meal was over, our server dropped by with two mini cupcakes. Probably would've been better that they ended the meal after our dessert, as my cupcake was dry with gritty frosting.
The service was friendly with just the right touch of attentiveness. Definitely fitting with the zen-like atmosphere. After such a tame meal, I feel that it doesn't quite live up to its zealousness. If anything maybe complaisant is a fitting descriptor. Â Â
NOTE: CASH ONLY for restaurant week selections AND a 20% gratuity was automatically added to the bill.
Gordon Ramsay in dire need
Went for restaurant week
Reservation at 8.15 pm finally seated at 20.45
Service was arrogant, snoopy and lousy - even had to ask for menus after 30 min
"the stack" which was foie gras - was mediocre - pancakes tasted like too much baking powder or a had baking mix - but not fine dinning
bouillabaisse - was more a too cooked in sauce, bok choy was already dried out from the heating lamp where the food was waiting, halibut (fish quality was alright) but seasoning was in non existance
potato fries did not arrive at all and when asked they arrived rare
Fazit - don't go it is not worth it
Solid joint. The service was very good. Just two guys handling a somewhat slow evening, but they were excellent. The food was 3/4 great. Salmon and Foie apps were amazing! The scallop entree was great, but the pork cheeks entree was sub-par for the course. The Rioja I had was great and the cocktail my date had was very good. The atmosphere was good, a bit too bright for my taste, but the tables and chairs as well as the bathrooms were all together good.
I would return for the service and the apps anytime and of course to try more of the menu.
GROUPON CLARIFICATION:
Zealous sure DOES accept credit for payment, just not credit cards that reward with airline miles, points, etc etc. It's all clearly spelled out in the Groupon. It's not Zealous, it's Groupon. Place blame where it's due, people.
That said....A LOVELY PLACE!
My GF and I were celebrating anniversary/her new job. Normally I wouldn't head to a pricey place like this, but we had the Groupon, so away we went.
The servers were VERY attentive, yet oddly, not *too* attentive, but just barely, AKA the perfect amount of attentiveness. I looked over my shoulder at one point, looking for the bathroom; someone was at our table lickety-split. Yet, we were given enough time between appetizer and main course, and they gave us breathing room between ordering the app and ordering the main course.
We got the crab cake appetizer. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, it was great, soft and flakey where it needed to be, lovely flavor, and great presentation.
I had the Cassoulet for a main course. The last time I'd had this, I was in the S of France (where the entree comes from) at a friend's wedding, catered by a professional chef the family knew. It was BETTER than the entree I had in France. I'm not saying the dish I had in France wasn't good, I'm saying this one was outstanding. My GF got the Australian Beef. The filet was amazingly cooked, the pork was oh so tender; it was in short perfect. We got some type of chocolate tort or something for dessert, which was also amazing. Props to the head chef, all around.
They have a decent beer list for being an upscale restaurant (I'm not a huge wine/cocktail person), a deep wine list, and a nice set of cocktails.
I'm normally a cheapskate for food, the bill was large, more manageable after the Groupon, but even without, the food and overall experience was well worth the price.
One of the best places I've been in Chicago thus far. Highly recommended for a cozy meal, or a date night.
Below is the review I wrote for Groupon based on a tasting menu I bought from them for Zealous.
Maybe I'd go back since the first time was absolutely amazing. the 2nd time when we had the tasting groupon it was a 2 star experience. Took us 25 minutes to get drinks from the time we sat. Service was polite but spotty and the food was mediocre for a regular price tag of $90 - I wouldn't pay the $45 dollars that we did actually pay for the groupon.
I thought it was stupid that Zealous didn't accept credit cards for our drinks and extras - not becoming of a high-end restaurant. Plus it didn't say that we couldn't use credit cards in the terms of the groupon. If Zealous can't take the credit card fees then don't give the deal. Some people may not order drinks but just order water with those rules.
Everything was delicious! We started with the pork belly app and we both loved it. Then I went with the halibut while my fiancé chose the filet. Everything was very good.  However, the TIRAMISU was BEYOND amazing. I'm not even a big tiramisu fan but this was absolutely insane. It was sooo good!!! Highly highly HIGHLY recommend that if you check out
Zealous then you must order the banana tiramisu! You will love it!
FYI- the only off thing about this place was the ambiance... Like the music didn't quite match. That's my only semi-complaint... Other than that it was great!
I'm having a hard time figuring out the flaws...
Me n hubby had the privilege of dining here recently and were awestruck. The decor is very modern and chic. The wine list is encyclopedic.The cocktail I ordered, the Sangrita was spicy and strong, exactly the way I like it. We chose the vegetarian 5 course tasting. The beet gelee with arugula oil was the first thing we were served. It wasn't very memorable. I thought we were in for a disaster, until we got the two salads (brussel sprouts, papadum, served on mint-basil pesto and  pickled beet, arugula & watermelon with a vinegrette served on greek yogurt) and then we began to rejoice...
The menu is ever-changing, which ensures that we were enjoying the best seasonal ingredients. The service is very good, I never had an empty glass of water once; however, I don't know why I felt kinda intimidated.
Wonderful food and service. 5 course tasting, two half-bottles (Guigal [white] and Drouhin Côte de Beaune [red]), glass of sherry and coffee. Highlights: duck with corn spoon-bread and the chimmichuri broth served with the steak and short-rib. Fresh, tasty ingredients in the seafood cocktail/gazpacho.
Negatives? The amuse was a tad trifling and the deserts (with the exception of a tasty sherbet) left quite a bit to be desired: granny-smith apple pie? was buttery but not flaky, chocolate cupcake mignardise near flavorless.
Note: Drouhin was sherrified and our server Drew was very happy to replace the bottle. Service: 5-stars.
I went once and it was PERFECT. Now I want to go again. I loved everything. The warm, modern, spacious decor was right up my alley. The service was professional and attentive, but not obnoxious. Well, there were hardly any other diners there... But that was okay for me too. Hey! It's okay to be the center of attention every once in a while.
And say what? The whole point of going is for the food and drink, right? Well, Zealous served up such delights for my mouth that I am eager to return. My food and martini were delights for both the eyes, tongue, and taste buds.
Zealous really delivers. It has what it takes for a special occasion or date. The ambiance, the service, the food. Both vegetarians and omnivores can really savor their experience at Zealous and walk away with special memories.
My reviews for Chicago restaurants are going to start looking a little familiar... "I went to this really great restaurant with my brother!" So. I went to this really great restaurant with my brother!
Last time I visited him, I got a groupon to  Bonsoiree, so he decided to return the favor by getting us a groupon to this fine dining establishment, Zealous. They offered half-off their five-course tasting menu, which we happily accepted.
They had delicious rolls, excellent service and a really neat starter of an mushroom egg-roll. That might have been my favorite taste of the evening.
I really wish I could give Zealous a better star-rating as the food was absolutely delicious, but the service was inattentive that I cannot give a 4+ star review in good favor.
This place had a total of 15 people there on a Thursday night at 7PM. So (as a former server) I anticipated excellent service as the servers did not have many tables to juggle, however the service was inattentive and so off their game it actually may keep me away from the delicious food for a next visit.
My parents decided they wanted the 5-course tasting menu and due to my gluten allergy (which they were accommodating towards) I could not have the tasting menu and ordered a la carte. While I am about having an experience with a meal and needing breaks between each course, this meal took 3 hours to eat!
Firstly, the server messed up the fact that my parents wanted the course menu not me, somehow he only brought out only ONE of the TWO tasting menu courses, so my mom had nothing to eat for the first 20 min. Though it was quickly resolved, it left a bad taste as that set the tone for the rest of the night.
My dad ordered a cup of coffee and it took a half an hour for him to get it! 15 min to get the cup and cream itself, then another 15 min for the coffee! And my dad only got his coffee after he had to ASK to have his cup filled.
Our glasses of water were refilled once (which was not enough) as was my dad's coffee (however they were quick to as if we wanted another cocktail/wine).
Though it was quite nice that the manager did come over and introduce himself, have small talk and then later send over complimentary dessert it just barely made up for the inattentive service towards the absolute restaurant basics: 1. Refill Drinks and 2. Get the order right!
The food however was wonderful, the leek-potato and mushroom soup was subtle but light and the chilean seabass was wonderful. Also the brussel sprouts in the balsamic reduction are amazing!
In short, the food is wonderful; I've been to Charlie Trotters and I would say this is comparable to a less bank-breaking Charlie Trotters in terms of food creativity and unique menu items. However, when it comes to the service, they need to brush up on the basics.
I was in town from Boston for a quick conference last week and had two hours to spare before heading to Midway. Found Zealous via Yelp and decided to give it a try based on all the great reviews; I was not disappointed in the least.
As almost everyone else has said, the ambiance is modern, airy and perfect. The 5-course chef's tasting menu with wine pairing was delicious- every course and every wine. Service was impeccable.
My only regret is that I only had two hours to spend here - it's definitely the kind of place where you wan to stretch out the courses, maybe upgrade to the seven-course option, and spend the evening.
A must-try for an amazing Chicago dining experience.
What a pretty place. The ambiance was just lovely and it was so big that we weren't squeezed together; lots of elbow room. The location was such that I'd never look there for a restaurant nor find myself down this way to stumble across Zealous, so I was glad we had the coupon. We enjoyed Zealous a lot.
Food: Â hubs did the standard 5 course with pairings and I did the vegetarian 5 course with pairings. The flavors were bold and creatively combined. There was a touch too much usage of balsamic on several dishes, but it wasn't force so it could be avoided. The food could have been overall more creative, but the tastes were very nice.
Wine: Â Oh my, the food & wine pairings were fantastic!! We started with "bubbles" and finished with a late harvest dessert wine. All the wines were good, but to put a point on it, the way they were paired with the food was divine.
Service: Â Impeccable. All of the servers made us feel comfortable. We could see that with each table the servers adjusted to the guests. If they were chatty, they chatted, if they were less talkative, they just served, but with a smile. Our server Jeremy was fun.
The finale: Â we enjoyed Zealous so much that we stayed on in the cozy little bar and revisited one of the tastey wines we had with dinner. I can't state enough how much I love the ambiance of this place. The lighting is perfect.
Get to Zealous; you won't regret it.
I went to Zealous aren't you jealous?!
That's ok if you're not but I'm telling you after experiencing Zealous you will be quite zeal about going back for more. They definitely deserve high marks all around. What about it doesn't get that one extra star is a mystery to me.
The decor is very high class and clean. Comfortable chairs and booths, high ceilings, and an almost zen-like garden surrounding a special VIP table. Finally a visible beautiful wine cellar to round out the smoothness that is Zealous. I will also note that the music was great, nothing like eating a fine meal listening to Bush, Phoenix, and some Talking Heads. Â
Service is top notch! From the hostess, to the manger and chef greeting us at the table to say enjoy and thanks for coming. Our waiter also gave great recommendations on food and wine pairings.
As for the real reason why we bother to write these reviews... the food. It was a most certain 4 out of 5 stars for me. Everything from presentation, taste, texture, freshness, and even smell were all very very good. Somehow it was just missing that one little thing that tips the scale over to 5. They get points for making their menu seasonal and serving an amuse bouche at no cost is very class. Followed up by good broccoli soup, Miller Farm Chicken Breast (Confit Thigh, Paprikash, Farmer Cheese Pierogi & Sauerkraut Puree), Roasted Halibut (with Savory Cabbage, White Beans, Confit Fingerling Potatoes & Blood Orange Emulsion), and to finish it up with the Madagascar Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée with House-Made Cookies. I know I drooled over the dessert too!
Zealous deserves more customers so why don't you go!
**Shout out to Groupon, this could have been a $$$ meal without you.
First of all they have a sign out front that says $10 valet service, with cones out front so you can't park in the immediate area. Â So we pulled up and waited. Â After not seeing anyone even remotely looking like they were going to help, I ran in to ask the hostess where the valet was at. Â She said they didn't have valet. Â Huh? Â What? Â I just shook my head and went back to park.
We made it in and of course they were running far behind on reservations, so we were asked to make our way to the lounge area to wait. Â No problem, happens all the time. Â The lounge didn't even have a bartender tending bar. Â There were a couple guys who would run back there and then run out just as quickly, but no bartender. Â Were we supposed to pour our own drinks? Â So we waited in the bar area unable to get a drink, and it wasn't packed, ggrrrr. Â F you Zealuos.
The place really had a nice layout, and the high ceilings and decor created a nice ambiance. Â But the people there were just creepy. Â No one talked; either in the bar or in the dining area. Â You could have heard a pin drop, or if you listened really hard, you could have heard us walk out on our reservation. Â I haven't felt such a pretentious vibe from a place since going to Everest (and well Cuvee later that night). Â We nearly did stay and stick it out, but I'm so glad we left, because Nacional 27 was everything Zealous was not; fun.
Like many of the most recent reviewers, I came to Zealous because of the Groupon. I work in the area and I had wanted to try this restaurant for a while. I had noticed that they had a 5 course tasting vegetarian menu, which led me to believe that this would be a relatively vegan-friendly restaurant. As a vegan, solid fine dining experiences can be few and far between (with some exceptions).
When I called and made my reservation, they said it would be no problem to accommodate my diet. Perhaps I'm living in a fantasy land, but I was hoping that would mean I would have more than one choice for my dinner option. This was not the case, so I decided to have the chef create a five course vegan tasting menu so I could at least get some variety. My boyfriend went with the vegetarian five course menu.
Things started on a relatively good note. The amuse bouche and the first course were delicious. We were also able to get a decent bottle of Pinot Noir for $35. The salad course was great, though nothing too exciting. The let down here was the main course: root vegetables cooked in parchment paper. It was so bland. I was desperate for some salt or really any seasoning. There were also two dessert courses that were fine, but the vegan options seemed like an afterthought.
All that being said, my vegetarian boyfriend really liked his food. If you are vegan, probably better to invest your money elsewhere.
Let me just start by saying that the food here deserves 5 stars. Â I have to knock off a star though because I'm a little bitter. Â It's funny how one little thing can tarnish an evening. Â Let me explain...
We dined at Zealous at around 8:00pm on a Saturday night. Â I noticed that we were the youngest couple there by about 20 years (we're in our 30's). Â No biggie. Â Our food was outstanding. Â The part that really still bugs me is that the manager went around to check on every single other table in the restaurant except for ours (and there weren't that many that were occupied). Â Yeah, I know, probably just an oversight, right? Â Nope, he looked over at us, and veered right to the table seated next to us. Â I really can't explain why I'm so annoyed by that, but it made me feel like when I was a teenager shopping in Saks...like I wasn't worthy. Â F that. Â
Anyhow. Â They don't do specialty cocktails at this place, which is kind of disappointing. Â I think they count on people ordering bottles of wine. Â My martini was ok, but wine is probably your best bet here.
I started with the mango short stack with foie gras. Â It was an excellent dish with an unexpected combination of flavors that totally worked. Â Mango, onions, foie gras...all delicious. Â I loved it. Â My bf had the yellowfin tartar. Â It was light and refreshing.
For the main course, I had the venison and the bf had the filet. Â My venison was perfectly prepared and had an excellent taste. Â The sauerkraut puree was a nice compliment and the apple dumplings were a good contrast. Â The filet was a bit overcooked and dry, but the mushroom lasagna that accompanied it was delicious, although very rich.
We decided not to stick around for dessert. Â Our service was very good and the food was excellent. Â I would probably go back if I felt like a valued guest, but I didn't, so I probably won't.
I guess the fact that the restaurant was sparsely filled (even on a Friday night?) when I was here along with my parents, as well some extended family, is not a rarity. It seems to me that the location is just a few blocks away from where it should be, and hence it gets overlooked?
Regardless of the location, the restaurant itself is quite nice. The service was helpful, and the food delicious. Across the table we ordered the vast majority of the menu, and every thing I tasted was delightful.
It's definitely not particularly romantic of a place, but it is well suited to medium to large groups, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for that.
Relaxing, serene, and delicious. Our party of 8 sat at the Chef's table under the bamboo. It was a Tuesday night and completely empty. They had a great deal going on. It was $35 3-course prix fixe, but we didn't end up getting that.
Appetizers:
-  Frisée Salad with Warm Blue Goat Cheese Soufflé, Bosc Pear and Sherry Vinaigrette - Pears were sweet, but the souffle wasn't that impressive.
+ Duo Seared Sea Scallop -Braised Pork Belly and Sunchoke Puree -
These scallops were delicious!
+ Blue Crab Cake "Sandwich" with Dill Toast and Whole Grain Mustard Tarragon Sauce - Loved the crab cake. Very crabby and fresh.
+ White Pizza with Rock Shrimp, Fresh Ricotta, Mozzarella, Lemon Zest and Arugula - Tasty but a bit heavy on the ricotta cheese
+ Roast Tenderloin ,Confit Leg of Rabbit with Creamy Polenta and Puttanesca Sauce - the rabbit was tender and flavorful.
+ Short Stack of Mango Pancakes with Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Sunnyside-up Quail Egg and Savory Caramel sauce
- The quail egg and the foie gras were amazing.
Entrees:
+ Sesame Crusted Chilean Sea Bass with Pan-Fried Rice Noodles and Red Coconut Curry Sauce  - The fish was flaky and tender. It came with way too mancy red and yellow peppers though.
+ Hot Pot of Grilled Cobia, Maine Lobster, Shrimp Dumplings and Warm Yuzu Ponzu - Flavorful and perfectly cooked.
+ Grilled Beef Filet with Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta and Winter Root Vegetables - Delish and tender.
+ Seared Duck Breast with Shiitake Mushroom-Confit Mushu and Hoisin Glaze. - Surprisingly this was a huge portion. Â A lot of times when I order duck there's a tiny piece. It tender and flavorful.
Sides:
  * Truffled Mashed Potatoes - creamy but I'm not big on mashed potatoes.
  * Garlic-Romano Cheese Fries  - yum but I like truffle fries better
  * Szechuan Green Beans - ok
  * Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta and Balsamic Glaze - I loved these!
Dessert:
+ Caramelized Banana Tiramisu with Macadamia Nut Brittle Crust and Chocolate Biscotti
+ Madagascar Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée with House-Made Cookies
- pretty much your typical creme brulee.yum!
+ Â Steamed Valrhona Chocolate Cake with Espresso Semifredo and Pistachio Dark Chocolate Brittle Napoleon - chocolatey but also light
+ Spiced Walnut Carrot Cake, Orange-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing with Carrot-Ginger Cardamom Ice Cream and Walnut Toffee - I loved the presentation and the cake was delicious!
+ 'A Study of Coconut' Coconut Panna Cotta Topped with Tasmanian Leatherwood Honey Glazed Funnel Cake and Young Coconut Bubble Tea - This wasn't that impressive. I didn't like the presentation that much either.
+ Warm Pumpkin Mousse Beignets with an Apple Cider Float - Grand Lux beignets are way better. These were kind of like donut holes.
Overall: The wait staff was attentive and pleasant. The wine list was extensive. We had a vegetarian and the chef was very accommodating. The place was a bit too quiet, but also it was pretty much empty. I really liked this place. It seems a little hidden and most people probably wouldn't notice this restaurant, but I really liked it. I would definitely come back for the Tuesday prix fixe.
For the price, the service here is simply inexcusable compared to their competition just in River North. Â I've been here twice now, each time spending a bit north of $150/person, each time leaving wondering why I went. Â Needless to say there won't be a third time.
The food is okay, but I think the wait-staff (or whoever trained them) confuses pretension with fine dining service. Â I've eaten at a lot of nice places downtown, and I even dressed up for Zealous, something I rarely do even for very nice places. Â I'm warm and friendly and understanding with servers. Â In places I go regularly, I'm remembered and receive excellent service. Â I only mention this because if someone like me, who is pretty much an ideal guest, can't get good service then I don't know who would.
I figured someone must be getting better service than I did, since it's still in business, but I can only guess that service must be horribly inconsistent if I got such unacceptable service twice in a row, and yet there are others who rave that's it's excellent.
I had dinner here last night and really enjoyed it!
I agree with the other reviews. Why aren't there more people in this restaurant? We must have been one of three parties there. But then again, it was 7:30 on a Thursday night.
The decor is simple, contemporary and very comfortable. I loved the timber loft ceiling contrasting with the elegant white linens and baby tulips at each table. The music was great, but could have been louder due to lack of patrons. They have a fabulous wine cellar in the back. Best of all, the tables are pretty well seperated. I hate it when tables are cramped!
I started with a Tanqueray and soda (I'm trying really hard to be good) and my friend had a whiskey and ginger ale. Drinks were strong - very tasty! For dinner I had the venison. It came with fingerling potatoes and cooked apples. I'm quite picky when it comes to eating meat and venison always has to be cooked just right. I got it medium-rare and it was perfect! I thought the portion sizes were just right! My friend got the filet mignon. He ordered it medium, but it looked more like medium rare. It was very good as well.
After dinner our server brought us some petit fours - the chocolate cupcake is fantastic as well as the raspberry jelly thing.
Service was very good and our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and offerings.
Zealous is a great place for a business dinner or lunch, but probably not intimate enough for a date. I will likely be back to try the rest of the menu.
The first time I ate at Zealous was years ago when the Chef /Owner had moved it out to Elmhurst. Â I remember telling myself that I was surprised that a restaurant of this caliber was out in the "burbs" and not in the city. Â
Well fast forward many years and I had the chance to eat here the other night. Â Now located in River North in an old warehouse, (see- I thought this was deserving of a city location!) Â Zealous makes its mark by delivering great food and drink in a relaxing environment. Â
We sampled a variety of things on the menu- my favorites were the chopped hearts of palm salad and Asian crab cakes as appetizers. Â I could have stopped there but we moved on to the entrees. Â All were delicious. Â We had the Amish chicken- tender and moist, the Grouper that had a macadamia nut crust on it and also a filet. Â We tried both the sweet potato fries as well as the garlic Romano fries with our dinners and decided both were so equally good that no favorite could be chosen. Â Since one person in our group always has to have the cheese plate- we also had a chance to sample that as well. Â And you can't talk about the food without mentioning the great warm rolls that they serve. Â In fact- I'd like one of those now!
The wine cellar at Zealous has over 750 bottles of wine so there is sure to be something that you like. Â
My only surprise? Â It was that the place was not busier on the night we were there- but that may be due to it's kind of out of the way location. Â Check out Zealous. Â You'll be happy you did and it will go on your list of places to visit regularly!
I ate here on a weekend, and had the tasting menu. Â Both the food and the service were great. Â I love the atmosphere as well- very serene and modern.
I'm not sure why this place isn't more popular, but I will definitely be back! Â As an FYI, I think this place would be great for a business dinner. Â Do not go if you are looking for a scene.
I was certainly skeptical after seeing the wide range of ratings (and so few) for Zealous. However, couldn't have been happier with sharing a dinner with some friends in town last night. Met the owner (Michael) when we arrived and had a drink at the bar. He was the textbook definition of "proud but not arrogant"... a rare thing for a restaurant owner in my opinion.
The decor and atmosphere was quiet, somehwat modern with an Asian influence in the decoration and setup. Their website has pictures, but very relaxed and easy to talk with your group.
Food was excellent, with a menu providing options for a fixed course choice, or straight-up entrees and apps. Cuisine is stated to me American, but you'll find a wide range of choices, very creative, with excellent presentation. Portions were on the smaller side, but everyone thoroughly enjoyed their choices (I had the New Zealand venison - dy-no-mite).
Give it a try for a quiet dinner with friends...
Although I have only been to Zealous once, I was disappointed by my meal here.
To begin with, I dined here on a Friday night and was surprised to find this decent sized restaurant almost completely empty. Â
The interior of the restaurant is beautiful and serene, and there is a chef's table surrounded by a grove of bamboo trees. Â The glass enclosed wine cellar is also very impressive. Â However, I found the cuisine, which is contemporary American, lacking for a restaurant of this caliber and price range. Â As far as the service, it was adequate, although mostly slow throughout the meal, but an unacceptable snafu occurred after the check had been paid. Â I desperately wanted another glass of water, but our waiter made sure not to come near our table after we paid. Â I waited almost 15-20 minutes to get a glass of water. Â I found this unacceptable, especially since the restaurant was not at all crowded. Â
I really wanted to like Zealous, but found the cuisine and service lacking for a restaurant where the average person's tab can easily drift over $100 per person. Â There are so many wonderful contemporary American restaurants in Chicago (One Sixty Blue, MK, etc...), I would never in good conscious recommend this restaurant to anyone I know.
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