I love love this place. The ambiance is nice, the service is wonderful and best of all the food is delicious. 1/2 off wines on Wednesday for happy hour is a great bargain. They heve a nice wine selection.
We have been for lunch and dinner. For lunch, have had the BBQ pulled pork sandwich with sweet potato fries- delicious. For dinner have had  the ny strip, very good. We have had in the past the sublime nachos with pulled pork as an appetizer- a delicious meal in itself, it's huge! I do have to say I am not crazy about the pizzas although they r tasty & filling, I think it needs a little more seasoning in the sauce or fresh herbs to bring out more flavor. But the pizzas r still good just not great in my opinion.
Overall however I love this place. Great for a romantic night out on a budget if u get a groupon.
My husband and I snag a Groupon or two to this place whenever they pop up. Although we've had some misses with both food and service, we have been there enough times now that we have found dishes we really like and the bad service seems to be limited to one waitress in particular that we happened to have the first 2 times we went there.
We LOVE the green bean fries, so addicting. I usually also start with a dinner salad with balsamic. My favorite entree is the pesto shrimp pizza. To drink, I'd recommend their house cab, it is fantastic! I have not been a big fan of their pasta or dessert.
In general, I have had great experiences at Zona's. The prices are very reasonable, which makes the Groupon really awesome because you can easily get an appetizer, two entrees, and drinks for the $50 value.
Went here for HH on a Thursday. Â Excellent happy hour appetizer selection. Â We had the fried green beans and the Mediterranean Duo with Grilled Flatbread....very YUMMY!! Â
The portions were good too. Â Looking at the other patrons choices makes me want to definitely go back to try the Artichoke Asiago Bruschetta and the huge nachos :)
Zona's is a nice local restaurant in San Clemente; it is a great location for a casual night out with friends or a romantic dinner. We dined here on a Saturday evening hoping to enjoy the live band. The band was advertised as a cover band specializing in Top-40, R&B, and funk. The music selection actually consisted of poor karaoke of Whitney Houston and Bobbi Brown songs. We chose to dine al fresco as a result of the band. The patio seating ( tables, chairs, and sofas) was comfortable and sufficiently heated. We started with a cucumber martini and shrimp scampi. The martini was overpowered by the liquor and missing the cucumber flavor; however, the shrimp scampi served atop polenta was delicious. For the main course, we ordered shrimp fettucini alfredo and a personal margarita pizza. The portions were ample and the food tasted great. The fettucini would have been even better with the addition of tomatoes, onions, or mushrooms. Â Our server, Kaeley, was attentive and friendly. We highly recommend Zona's.
Review Source:Pros:  The service  was very pleasant (thanks, Kaylee), food was pretty decent (lasagna with salad, two small pieces of garlic bread, and creme brulee).  House cab was very drinkable and prices were reasonable.
Less-than-pros: Â The place was so freakin' cold that even the servers and hostess were wearing their coats. Â Get rid of 80% of the funky plants, ok? Â I felt like Arte Johnson's Nazi guy on Laugh-in. Â (Yep, I'm old!)
And why can't you clean up the bathrooms? Â Usually, one can judge the kitchen's cleanliness by the bathroom if a factor of 2.753 is applied; that being the case it gives one a little pause ...
But I'd go back again if I found myself in the area.
Just enjoyed our "deal" coupon but on check out felt the miserable feeling that we were doing something wrong by using it. Â The bartender called over the manager who didn't even speak to us to see if we could use the balance. Â (We had ordered a pizza that never came so our coupon was a bit under). Â He rudely said "no" tax and gratuity included. Â WE didn't have a problem with that but I guess it was the attitude he portrayed. Â The bartender was nice enough but then she was kind of guilty for not putting in our food order which is why we didn't get our pizza. Â
Well we ended up getting some food items to go to make up the difference on our coupon then paid the tax and gratuity separately (again, we expect that).  The appetizers and drink specials were good.  We have been before and the bar area/happy hour is nice.  That's why we returned.  However, my party and I seriously wondered about the management's attitude.  He was abrupt and kind of rude to the staff (...and just plain ignored us).  We might go back again  but not with a Yelp or Groupon deal because they made us feel "second class".  They shouldn't offer it if they huff and puff when you show it.
I've watched this restaurant morph over the years into what it's currently become.
My parents are in love with this place, so much so that the manager knows my parents.
I was a reluctant convert because I really was sad to see the Next Door go and see another lame Italian restaurant pop up. However, it's become better and better with many of their dishes and the quality of food, drink, and service has turned them into quite the place to be on a Friday and Saturday night.
Saturday night's have become so popular you now need reservations to hold a spot. If you come to late, you'll probably be out of luck unless a spot opens up in the bar.
My Mom is Mrs. Zona Burger but has slowly shifted over to their Wedge, a scrumptious iceberg lettuce wedge with all the fixins -- bleu cheese, bacon, etc. (I haven't tried to myself, so I can't give a good description of it).
Their Earth Burger is one of my Dad's favorite. I think it's okay, personally. Nothing homemade that I can find about it.
I enjoy their Mixed Field Greens salad. The strawberries are always sweet and delicious and the candied walnuts aren't too overly bearing. The salad dressing completes the sweetness of the strawberries and walnuts with it's vinegary flare. You feel satisfied after eating it and I never crave a dessert afterwards. It has the perfect balance to satisfy the taste buds.
I've had a few misses with some of their attempted specials. Their fish & chips were terrible - just a soggy mess. Their black bean soup was a nice attempt at a vegetarian option, but it fell flat.
NOT to be Missed, though, their bruschetta is to die for. It's best to get both the tomato AND the asparagus to balance out the plate. Yum! If everything hit the mark like this dish I could easily give it 5 stars (I know my parents would, but I'm being picky).
A+++++++++++
Second time dining here at it is by far my favorite Italian Restaurant in South OC. Â They have early dinner specials if you check out the website before you go. Â They have live music on Friday and Saturday. Â The owner is always there and is always welcoming each diner. Â
Took my daughter there and she enjoyed the Lasagna. Â Everything on the menu looks great. Â The wedge salad is perfect. Â The waiter was excellent last night. Â
Per fect place for dining with family, friends or groups. Â They have the bar area and also formal dining room.
My fiancée and I have been here many times and love the place.  Food is very diverse and always good!  Service has been great every time we have been there as well.  Atmosphere is nice and romantic and they have a great bar scene as well.  You have to get the crispy green bean appetizer, it's wonderful!
Review Source:My husband and I went to Zona's for the first time today:early dinner, late lunch. We were greeted and told to sit wherever we would like; the bar area was very full, but we chose the dining room which also had great "TV" viewing. Natasha, our server, promptly arrived at our table, and after some very friendly conversation and menu discussion, took our orders and everything flowed after that. The food was delicious..stuffed dates to start, caprese salad to share and then we each had the Smokey Shrimp Pasta:fantastic blend of flavors!
Natasha..you were great and we will definitely eat at Zona's again!!
I was very impressed with this place...After reading the reviews, I was nervous to come...But, we came and used our living social. Â Our waitress was great. Â The food was delicious. Â I got the Zona burger and was very impressed with the quality of meat and the taste. Â The sweet potato fries were to die for. :)
Nice Place and Great Music!
Two thumbs up :)
We went to Zonas for my Moms birthday. I had never been there or heard of it but my Mom really wanted to try it. The restaurant is very nice, clean and decorated very well. We walked in with a party of 6 they gave us our own room next to the wine cellar. The waitress walked up right away took or drink and appetizer order. We had our appetizers within minutes with our drinks. Dinner came less then 10 minutes after we ordered and it was amazing. I had pasta and a salad. Everyone had something different, chicken dinners, pizza and pastas. Everyone really enjoyed there food. Then they brought out a HUGE piece of Tiramisu for everyone to enjoy for her birthday. I would highly recommend Zonas and I will be going back again.
Review Source:This is 4th purchase for Zona's so every time an offer pops up on Groupon we buy it - which says something about the delicious QUALITY of their food! The Shrimp Scampi appetizer is "to die for" and so is their brunch and lunch items! We have tried many different selections on the menu and EVERY one has been delicious!
Review Source:My husband and I go here about twice  a month and are always crossing our fingers in the hopes that the service will eventually get better...but unfortunately it hasn't!  The food is good but if you order a steak medium rare prepare for raw and if you ask for medium they will make sure it is practically beef jerky;)  But, they do make great mashed potatoes and great salads.
Apart from that they usually pop up on groupon for 50% off so it makes it worth it...as long as you have at least an hour to kill. And don't mention the groupon to the server until the very end unless you don't want to see her again. Â We always tip a minimum of 20% pre-discount but these gals don't seem to want to be bothered.
My advice...once you're seated make sure to order your drink promptly, it usually takes a good ten minutes for a glass of vino, and they hardly ever ask if you'd like another glass. Â They instead will wait for you to ask or will automatically take your glass away even if you haven't received your entree! Â Don't these girls want to make some money???!!! Â
We have had one good server on a Sunday afternoon and the bar is great if your husband wants to watch sports, they've got to have 10 tvs. Happy hour is decent and they make great buffalo wings and a good burger. Â They have nice relaxing live entertainment on weekends and it's never too loud so you can still carry on a conversation. Â Just prepare to take your time...not a place if you're in a rush.
Very pretty place..kind of a surprise for back location in strip mall  and indoor decor..as one reviewer put, she felt underdressed.. but then realized its pretty caz.. so enjoy the ambiance and your choice of seating styles, patio, dinner, bar. Â
We both really liked our meals, me ...a chicken  pasta and my bf had a pastrami sandwich; we liked the blend of Italian favs and very casual American meals and varied seating areas, but still felt quite posh in our surroundings.
Not huge deal, but worth noting ...the server, while very personable,  missed some elements that a great server never would. We never got any bread.. WHAT!? a restaurant claiming ANYTHING Italian better ALWAYS bring bread!! So Im not sure if it was missed or not a tradition? When I asked, it arrived and was pretty homey tasting - in good way -.. maybe a little doughy, but good nonetheless. She also missed offering another  glass of wine, when mine was at last sip and twice repeated back a preference on our order incorrectly... so she was kind of OFF.
I will say the music was great.. acoustic guitarist/singer , Barbie Aglio was a great addition. Overall was a very nice evening.  I love a plce where you  can go  for easy listening music while enjoying a meal,, AND without all the attached bar noise of a typical combo set up like ZONA's is.
It really deserves more than a 3, but not quite 4. Not sure Id go out of my way again. if the music wasnt part of the deal.
First and not the last time here.
My friends and I were going to Wahoo's but instead tried something new. I am really glad we did.
The pasta was great, only to be outdone by the exceptional Creme Brulee.
Zona's ambiance was great, along with the great live acoustic music.
To top everything off, the service provided by our waitress, JoJo was outstanding!
Was looking for a spot to catch a game, get some grub and possibly a cocktail, a friend suggested this place. Â We pulled into the corner of the of the movie theatre plaza and there Zona's was nestled. Walked in and saw white linens and upside down glasses on the tables and immediately felt out of place considering I was a bit under the weather from the previous night. Â
We kept walking through the dining room to the bar area and grabbed one of the many booths along the wall, facing the bar. The bar contains about 12 different TVs in the small area so perfect sport watching. The crowd was all younger males who had definitely been enjoying a cocktail or two (they have $9 bottomless mimosas so I'm not surprised). After this point, I realized the vibe was really laid back here (at least for brunch). Our server was quirky but it made the meal more enjoyable. Brunch is served until 2pm (and is also the cutoff for the mimosas) I went with the eggs benedict. The hollandaise was a bit off to me and the accompanying hashbrowns were bland and weren't cooked enough to be crispy. Prices however were so low so I really cannot complain. They also had a two man band playing live music off in the dining room, it was quiet enough to not interrupt the overall feel but still a nice touch.
I'd definitely go back to grab some food when I'm in the area and want to partake in a Sunday Funday but not in a rush to recommend to everyone.
I love that we have such a wonderful restaurant closeby!! Depending on your mood or the occasion, you can choose a more quiet intimate atmosphere in the back or a more lively one near the bar where they sometimes have live music. No matter where we have sat, the food has been amazing & the service outstanding. Because we enjoy Zona's so much, we are becoming real regulars here. We have learned reservations are a must during peak hours. After a great meal, when we get the bill, we are pleasantly surprised with the remarkably reasonable cost (hesitant to share this, for fear they may increase their prices!). Great value, great ambiance, great food! The "tuna tower" is our favorite. Their desserts & specials are also excellent. Only suggestion would be to expand the menu so we will have more things to try!! Looking forward to enjoying their brunch for the first time this weekend.
Review Source:Been here about a dozen times since moving to the area 8 months ago. Â We usually sit near the bar. Â Are we alcoholics you ask? Â Why no. Â We are the people that like to bring our baby to eat out with us. Â People are more forgiving in the bar. Â Also, the service is great in this area and we are able to watch sports. Â I cannot say enough good things about the waitstaff/bartenders. Â They are always friendly and like to come chat with the aforementioned baby. Â
The food is usually good, but not always without fault (thus the imperfect score). Â For example, we have ordered ceviche that was more salsa then fish.
However, I recommend the ceviche app. Â When the chef is apparently not low on the fish part of it, it is very fresh and seasoned perfectly. Â We normally get the cambazola too. Â Despite the name, the food is not so much Italian and the shining moments tend to be the bargains, like the burgers. Â Although the pricier items seem worth the splurge. Â The brunch is also good and many kids are there. Â Plus, it has unlimited mimosas and they make a perfect bloody mary.
I will say that it attracts a causal crowd when we are there, despite the white linen table clothes. Â It has a modern, clean-lined, dark wood feel. Â I saw other reviews about a wait or not great service. Â I suppose we come at off-hours because the place is always near empty. Â There is also a small loungey outdoor area. Â It is just an easy place to catch a good meal or to meet up with people.
i made a reservation for my love and i.....i was specific with the time and the faact that we would like a booth. i even called ot confirm. Upon arriving they told me i would have to wait 10 min, and longer if i wanted a booth...the older man (owner) told me i should have specified i wanted a booth at time of reservation, i told him i did. we went to the bar to wait....drinks are good, fast and friendly service. Thank goodness a table became available soon. the music was very cute, nice to hear live music anytime. once we were seated things went from bad to great. The waitress was nice and fast, the food was very yummy. the atmosphere was fun and romantic. we def will return.
Review Source:This was my first time here and I went with a large group. Â They really weren't ready for us. Â Although we ordered off the menu beforehand, and we had hoped that the food would be ready when we got there, we still had to wait about 20 minutes for our food to come out, which sort of screwed up the rest of our working meeting. Â But once the food got there, it was worth the wait. Â Everything was really fresh and flavorful. Â The ambiance is relaxing and the presentation of the restaurant is really clean and upscale looking, yet the prices are reasonable. Â I'd love to go back and see what their Italian food is like (I had a salad the last time...which had peanut brittle in it...who knew? candy in a salad :) and give their wait staff another chance to impress. Â Looking forward to going back next time I'm in south OC!
Review Source:I'm new to San Clemente, from Albany, NY. Â Zona's is the second Italian restaurant we've tried. Â We shared caprese salad which was nicely presented, very fresh, and tasty. Â Wife had pork loin...good quality and again very nice presentation. Â I ad chicken parm with angel hair and zuccini. Â Very fresh and good quality. Â Desert was really good. Â
Service is attentive and polished.  Pacing was right on, even tho 2 large parties  20+ came in.  Prices are appropriate...the above with 2 La Fin Du Mond ($9 per bottle) was $73. tax not tip.  The menu is a bit narrow, hope this changes...seafood very limited.
We were seated in a curved nook/booth that we loved. Â Intimate yet not isolated. Â
In toto we liked it, will try the brunch and return for lunch and dinner.
While the rating system forces a full star we feel this is a three and a half with no glaring weaknesses and some strenghths, freshness among them.
Great atmosphere! Great Happy Hour :) Food is delicious and I have fun every time I come here. The new management rocks!
I read the previous reviews and was a little disappointed by some of the overly analytical reviews....all I can say, is come in and give this place a shot. It's actually much more exciting inside than it appears on the outside. It's not a corporate chain so it's not like going to your typical 'cookie cutter' restaurant, but it's real and down to earth and the food is delish!!!
Not to mention it's a great place to watch the games. The tv's are awesome :)
So I came here last night to have "wedding talk" with my mom and my soon to be mother-in-law. Â And I have to say this place was the perfect pick, great decision on my mom's part. Â She has been trying to get me here since it opened as The Next Door. Â Although it's not under a different name it still has menus with The Next Door on them. Â The whole restaurant and bar is beautiful with a touch of modern funk to it. Â
We sat at the bar and I have to say for football this is a great place to come. Â You can bring your kids to the tables in the bar area and the TV's are big and clear. Â I am a big football fan so I was able to keep an eye on the game easily.
Food wise this place is 5 stars alone. Â We ordered the fried green beans, and they were so good that we got another order! Â The seasoning in the batter is very flavorful and works very well with the green beans. Â We devoured both orders. Â For dinner we all got the Next Door Dip, and I have to say it was delicious...they need to keep that on the menu!!! The flavors were spot on and the fries were super crispy and seasoned perfectly. Â I even brought one home to my hunny and he loved it! Â My mother-in-law is very picky, no lie, and she loved everything about this place, even my guy was surprised about that. Â And the prices are good, especially for what you get. Â
The restaurant is huge, they have a back room that's almost like a banquet room, its very cool looking. Â We might use it for my shower if the price is right. Â But either way I am a huge fan and this will be one of my fav's to eat at.
This place is still transitioning from the Next Door to Zona's Italian American Grill (or Restaurant), and maybe it's too early to give a fair yelp evaluation. That said, they already have a "grand opening" sign up for Zona's... so game on!
The food was good and well priced. They were still using the menus from the Next Door. But, not everything was available. A couple of people in our party ordered a brie cheese omelet, only to find out that they didn't have brie cheese anymore. Apparently that item is going to be taken off of the new menu. (Probably should get those quick so customers aren't let down when ordering).
Service was friendly, and generally attentive. There were a couple of times where my party was left saying, "huh." For instance, with the bottomless mimosas, when the champagne bottle runs out just before refilling the glasses for the last two people in the party of eight, maybe a new bottle should be brought right over... rather than making them wait and wait for their refill.
The atmosphere is cool. A mixture of some very interesting and classy decorations. The blown glass decorations when you first walk in were compared to sperm by many of the people in our group. The light sconces and other decor was deemed to be very cute.
We went on a Sunday, around lunch time, which also meant the place was open for football!!! Oh, joy. Actually, not a problem because there wasn't a big crowd there for the football... but, they also had live music. The music was good, maybe unnecessary, but in the background the noise from the television was competing for attention the whole time. I would suggest that they choose one... either turn up the game, or give some respect to your musicians.
It was also a little odd that you had to walk through the drink station to get to the restrooms... I know there's another way around the far side of the bar, but we weren't directed that way.
Finally, towards the end of the meal, a small horde of gnats hovered above our table. I'm hoping they came in through the open front door, that we were relatively near to... and not from the kitchen, or from the flowers that are positioned around the tables/booths.
Definitely worth trying, and we'll probably give it another chance.
This place is stunning! Â I have had two amazing meals here. Â Just recently Sunday Brunch with bottomless Mimosas and Creme Brulee French Toast and another night of appetizers and Mojitos. Â
Their service is sooo friendly and quick. Â The drinks were spot on and the Owner said hi to us. Â I love locally owned restaurants that put value in every guest that comes through the door. Â The decor is romantic and warm, the bar is huge and long with plenty of seats, and it is so comfortable to just chill and have drinks with friends.
The appetizers we ordered were: the Calamari with two dipping sauces, a marinara with a lil kick and a aioli (i think), Tuna and Salmon Ceviche...YUM!, and the Mediterranean Platter which was my fav!! Â I posted pics for your viewing pleasure. Â This place was the Melting pot, then the Next Door, now Zona's. Â It is conveniently located in the same parking lot as the movie theater.... Â So you can make a wonderful night out of it...happy hour...a movie...then Dinner!!
They even have huge TVs in the bar area for your football, baseball, basketball, and whatever else ball viewing pleasure! Â Last Sunday there were plenty of folks gathered up at the bar and bar tables watching the games. Â You have a great view from any spot and there are many spots!
Honestly, my new favorite place in San Clemente!
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