Food is less than mediocre. Service was terrible on night I went with four people. Waited 20 minutes for bread and initial round of drinks. Waited for half hour for check. Finally had to stand up and put coats on before check arrived. Major attitude from manager/owner. Will never return.
(1)
Evangelina M.
Romantic Delicious and perfect for sit Dow dinner or just to sit at bar for drinks salad an appetizer.
(5)
Gregory S.
My wife and I ate at ZAZa's with another couple on 4/25/15. They added another table's $80 bill on to our tab. The owner agreed to credit our credit card for the "mistake". A week later we had to visit the restaurant in person to get the credit as he had not processed the credit as promised. We had been loyal customers of 10+ years. We will never return.
(1)
Robert R.
This place is one of the best kept secrets in the western suburbs, but I'm still amazed every time I visit at how accommodating it is. I've never had to wait, no matter what time I've dined (which, I must confess, has only been three or four times) Of course, I love Italian food (who doesn't?), so everything on the menu looks good. However, I've found that if you ask your waiter or waitress what they'd recommend, you'll walk out having enjoyed your meal 10 times more since most likely, you wouldn't have ordered it on your own. Being a somewhat routine-oriented guy, this works great for me. And the leftovers just keep that experience going even when you're at home. You'll find yourself trying to resist the urge to go to the fridge for just one more bite, no matter how full you may be...I guarantee it! If you're on Ogden, just west of Rt. 83, check it out. It's hiding in plain sight on the south side of the street. I'd say you can't miss it, but the truth is, you CAN if you're not looking for their black and white sign, so keep your eyes open. Now quit reading this and go get something to eat!
(4)
Michelle I.
I often forget about this restaurant! Excellent Italian food!! One of my favorites! The italian cuisine is authentic and always made fresh! My favorite is the Penne Abbruzzesse! The Pollo alla Sassie is a close second! Their salads are crisp and yummy! The restaurant is very small so your best bet is to come at a strange time 4:00?? They have a nice outdoor patio that is opened in season.
(5)
Casandra G.
My boyfriend, who refuses to yelp, asked me to find a nice Italian place in the west burbs for him to take his mum on mother's day. They usually just go for Maggiano's since it's got the name brand and all, but they happened to be booked solid that night. So I scoured trusty yelp for a possible lead on a sleeper Italian place that would not be packed on mother's day, but because of lack of knowledge, not lack of quality. So I referred him to Zaza's, with its teeny number of reviews, and buddy, it did not disappoint. According to him, this spot is a fresh-tasting, generous-portioned, overall very satisfying gem that smacks the pants off of Maggiano's, for a better price too. His mum raves about this place and has made it her staple "fancy restaurant" stop since Mother's Day '09. TBA: let's see what happens when I make the trek out to visit him, and mention a hankering for some tasty Italian... and I'll report whether there really is good Italian west of Taylor street.
(4)
Kathleen C.
Great Italian restaurant, especially on Ogden which is filled with unoriginal and chain restaurants Menu is definitely on the small side but I felt like they really worked on making my dish great instead of mass producing numerous menu choices. And the small restaurant seems really cozy and not loud at all. We ordered the insalata salad which was a great start for 4 people. Then I had MahiMahi with peppers which was awesome. Two in my party ordered steak which wasn't on the menu but was a special. They said it was good. Prices are $10-20 per entree with fish, beef, and pasta choices.
(4)
Mike M.
I love to have lunch with fellow Indiana Hoosiers, especially when they pick up the tab! I just came from Zaza's and wanted to share my thoughts with others. There a places where you feel crowded and there are places you feel comfortable. This is a really cozy place with well designed table space that you feel right at home. My buddy (LaBrash) ordered the Penne Abbruzzesse so I followed suite. You can tell when a sauce takes a long time to prepare - this sauce was definitively slow cooked! It had a little spice and heat to it (the way I like it) with homemade char-broiled Italian sausages in a a plum tomato sauce over some penne pasta. The service was perfect and since it was snowing for the first time in Clarendon Hills this winter, a cozy restaurant was just what I needed, along with some Hoosier friends.
(5)
Mas K.
Tried Zaza's for the first time and was really impressed with their lunch menu balanced with their reasonable pricing. Went in expecting the normal offerings but many of their dishes seemed to have an extra twist on the preparation or ingredients and I was actually torn trying to decide what to order. Both my wife started with your basic caprese salad (good) we each had fish topped with veggies and a side of linguini (excellent bass & salmon, linguini excellent), finished with a tiramisu (excellent, not soggy with nice subtle flavors). Only reason I didn't give 5 stars, because it was my first time. The decor was very pleasant and comfortable. Will definitely be back again.
(4)
Alissa T.
Had dinner here last night, had the penne abbruzesse, instead of penne I asked for linguine and it was really really good. My husband ordered the rigatoni and it was ok, kind of heavy. My sis-in-law had the risotto and she said the chicken was dry and the rice was kind of crispy. The server was also a little non-chalant about things and took forever to pick up our credit cards when we were ready to pay
(3)
Parth B.
Came here for my brother's birthday and the food was great. Based on reading old reviews, I think that the key to enjoying the ambiance here is to come on a week night when it isn't busy. Our server Andrea was fantastic (try to request her) & she made the experience so great. Prices are good as well, and the house wines actually taste awesome.
(4)
Mike N.
I have been to Zaza's several times over the past few years, including last night. Here's what you can expect. On a Saturday night, plan on waiting past your reservation time, 20 minutes is typical. Not much of a waiting area, so you'll be in bar area. Food is excellent and portions are good sized. Pastas priced in mid teen range /entrees in mid 20's. My favorite is Pasta Abbruzzesse. Skip the Caesar--nothing special and it has iceberg lettuce mixed in it. Ugh! My wife typically gets one of the fish dishes and enjoys them. For kids, they will do a pasta with red sauce on request. Service is friendly but sometimes when they are rushing, they don't pay attention. For instance, last night the salmon was charred black and dried out. It should never have left the kitchen and the server should have caught it before bringing it to the table. I guess most people would just eat it, complain amongst themselves and never come back. We sent it back and by the time the new dish arrived, my daughter and I were basically done with dinner. I didn't expect anything comped in this situation, but the manager should have stopped by to apologize. I know the experience to expect here. Even with the negatives, Zaza's is still on my list to dine at occasionally.
(3)
Carole G.
So disappointed. This restaurant has been patronized by a good friend and her family, my aunt, my sister and my father. They all said this restaurant was "OK" so we decided to take the family to dinner on Sunday March 22. I made 5:30 reservations, and once arrived, we began a slow journey of unacceptable service. A simple dinner lasted almost 2-1/2 hours. The place was not busy, but yet it took our waitress 20 minutes to bring us two sprites, a cup of coffee and two mixed drinks. She padded our bill and double charged us for coffee and meals thinking we wouldn't catch it. Check your final bill people and do a head count. We placed our orders and the dinners came out in slow stages. The first two dinners had been consumed by the time the rest of us had even been served. Two of us received dinners we didn't order, and the waitress just switched an incorrect dinner for an incorrect dinner telling me to taste it first, said "don't worry about it, if you like it, keep it" and then charged us for our correct dinners and the incorrect dinners we didn't order. What the heck? We were charged for extra coffees when we only ordered three. We were charged an extra $1.00 for a sample of Bloody Mary mix from the bar that the waitress offered for one in our party to try and we did not order this "sample". We confronted her with the incorrect charges and she only said "OH" and took off only one of the wrong dinners that had been sent back. She told us all at the table she ordered the wrong dinners and it was her fault, so don't worry about it, she will fix it. ?? What am I missing here? She didn't adjust our final bill correctly and we should have gone to the manager, except we found out today, Monday, that the manager of the restaurant was our waitress. Good thing I didn't go to the manager, huh? Two of those dinners should have been removed, two coffees and the sample served by the waitress. My husband said "forget it, we will take it out of her tip, otherwise we will be here until 9 pm" As for the food itself, most of the dishes were very good but salty. The ravioli dishes are on the skimpy side. The individual pizza crust was burned so I shared my dinner with my grandson. It just wasn't worth waiting for another pizza to be made because everything took so long. The pasta sauces were creamy and full of flavor, but again, they were salty. People who are on low sodium diets should beware. After dinner, our party stood in the parking lot and came to the decision we would not give Zaza's our business again, and would not recommend it to a friend. Final review: Service is horrible; wrong food served, bill padded. Enter at your own risk.
(2)
Robert S.
Bad part and made me question the rest of their products... I ordered A Killian's Irish Red beer. It came in a bottle and was ice cold, but tasted bad. Half way through drinking the beer I was checking the label and turns out the beer expired over 1yr and 1month ago. Our server apologized they showed the entire staff and the owner came to apologize. He did offer another, but I didn't trust anything else the could possibly bring me. I was a bit offended he didn't offer a free dessert or drink, discount or something. The bad beer was removed from my bill. Our pasta's were pretty good, but back of my mind was concerned about expiration dates on what I and my girlfriend were eating. Won't be back, I can understand an expiration date being missed by a month or two, but more than 1yr 1mo leads me to question health/sanitary practices.
(2)
K H.
Pretty disappointed overall and will not be returning. My husband I went with friends on Saturday night - made a 7:30 reservation and were told upon arrival that they were "running behind, at least 25 minutes." Not apologetic or welcoming! We made our way to the bar and waited until 8:10 when I finally went to ask what the status was. We were sat at a table and had terribly slow service - which was super annoying since we were all hungry after waiting almost an hour past out reservation time! We had to ask for bread, ask for water refills and our entrees took way too long. The food is good but definitely not great enough to compensate for the poor experience. We'll be going elsewhere. Oh and one more thing. They have draft beer taps at the bar but don't have draft beer, only bottles. That's weird!
We headed to Zaza's for our seventh wedding anniversary. We'd eaten there several years earlier for Valentines Day, so we knew it had the ambience we were looking for. We made a reservation a couple days prior but it wasn't overly crowded when we arrived. I'd suggest making one if you plan to eat later, though, as it was beginning to fill up as we left. I couldn't talk my husband into a bottle of wine but the wine list was very respectable. Our waiter was wonderful, and incredibly attentive. A busboy came around often enough that I never had less than a half a glass of water. We ordered a half order of clams to start and they were delicious. My husband got the pasta special for his entree which included mussels, shrimp and scallops. I ordered the capellini pomodoro and it was amazing. The portions were gigantic and neither of us could finish our entire meal. I wish we'd left room for dessert because I can't imagine it would have been anything less than spectacular. Our table was nestled towards the back of the room and felt very intimate. Overall it was an amazing evening and I hope to celebrate several future occasions at Zaza's.
(5)
Bryan B.
The Zaza salad is still great. It's about $12 and entree-sized. Get it with grilled shrimp. By the way, it's easy to get in and out of here if you're in a hurry at lunch time.
(3)
Minal J.
We made reservations ahead of time and we were seated immediately apon walking in. They deliver fresh bread to your table which is still pretty hot. We ordered off the specials menu which had no prices. This was deceiving because the waitress recommended a very tasty appetizer; the mixed grilled seafood ensalada. This wound up being $18. Aside from that, I ordered the lobster ravioli and it was pretty tasty. It comes with a red pepper cream sauce, which was very rich. I enjoyed my dish. Then we ordered the tiramisu which was ok. It was filled with whip cream more then what I am used to. Overall, it was authentic but on the pricey side. All in all, I would go back.
(4)
Merid L.
I've eaten there many times for lunch. It is terrific and dinner is even better.Drinks are on high side.
(4)
Jack C.
Nope. Not gonna play that game. Had 7:00 reservation. Walked in, waited 5 min at hostess stand. Finally she came. Gave our name and reservation time (we were right on time)...told it will be 15 min, have a drink in the bar. Went to the bar, it was a sardine can and packed like one.Standing room only, shoulder to shoulder, all waiting???? Bottom line, we expect a reservation to be honored. I understand a couple minutes, but being told 15 min up front? That means a lot longer to me. If you're going to play that game, then offer to buy the drinks ....didn't think so.. So, 1 star...we walked out.Probably did them a favor by leaving, helped them with the back log.
(1)
Mike R.
Food was very good, but everything separate. We got seated right away, and service was very attentive. Pricey when you start adding items.
(2)
Tavo N.
Good friendly service. Pasta is amazing also there wine, has a cozy feel to it, perfect for a date highly recomend it
(4)
John P.
Outstanding. Excellent service and great food and drink. Go for the whitefish. Got mine with a filet and it was awesome.
(5)
Sabrina M.
I don't know what more i can say that hasn't been said already. It has the greatest food. It's a little small and quaint but i love it. Wonderful pasta choices, fish that is to die for, and always new specials. And any restaurant that gives me bread and olive oil and cheese to dip it in makes me happy. I love it, its really all i can say.
(5)
Joe R.
One of my favs! Zaza salad and whitefish are incredible!"
(4)
Ziek B.
I love this place. I have a hard time giving it 5 stars because that seems like it should be saved for the truly extraordinary, but this place is so solid and I always like what I get when I go there (which is often). If there was any teenie gripe, sometimes when I get one of their excellent daily fish specials, the sauce can be a bit too salty. But the fish is always cooked just right, the pairings are great. The pasta dishes are always made with fresh ingredients and the flavors are always subtle yet complex. I give it 5 because I don't have many places I want to eat at once a month or more but I will never turn down an invitation to go to Zaza's.
(5)
Jay P.
My favorite Italian food in the western suburbs!!
(4)
Gary F.
I read this place referred to as a "Mia Francesca clone". But its better by far. The service is actually friendly here. Menu is smallish but a very adequate selection for our whole party. Reservations a must on weekends. Good value for delicious food.
(5)
Stephanie S.
The food here was pretty good. I like Francesca's better, but this will do. However, I probably won't be back because of the service. The hostess was sitting in the waiting area when we walked in and gave a lackluster "how many people?" and a frown to us instead of a greeting. Our waitress was much the same who seemed annoyed we were there and like we were wasting her time. There's a help wanted sign in the window, and hopefully it's for these folks. Other than that, they have a nice outdoor seating area which will be nice in good weather.
(3)
Larry H.
I took my family and visiting friends there on a Sunday night. There was some business, but it was not crowded. We sat down and the waitress came up yo serve us right away. I had every reason to believe it would be a nice dinner. They had good bread on the table, along with some calamata olivres. The busser was prompt and we had water right away. That is where things started to go awry. It took entirely too long for the waitress to come take our order. It's a good thing we didn't want appetizers, because we'd still be there. She finally returned and took our order. Then, she vanished again. Fortunately, the bus boy kept water full. The food came out within a reasonable amount of time. Two of us had Penne Abbruzzesse, pasta with Italian sausage. Two had Frutti de Mar, and one had Braciole. The food was very good. I especially thought the Frutti de Mar was great. It was a touch salty, but that is just my taste. If I went on food quality alone, I'd return. But the service ruined it for me. I'm not a demanding customer, but out waitress had to be tracked down 3 times. I told her I had a group on. She said shed be right back and poof, she was gone. I tipped her accordingly, but you should be warned before you go. I probably won't be back. There are plenty of Italian restaurants with much better service.
(2)
Charles T.
Took my girlfriend for her birthday and her daughter and boyfriend. We were seated in a nice boots. Andrea was very attentive to our every wish. The cosmopolitan that my girlfriend had was the best she had ever had, made by Anthony at the bar. The food was simply outstanding! The daughters boyfriend said it was the best gnocchi he had ever tasted. I had the tilapia special which was delicious. My girlfriend had the salmon, which is her favorite at Za Za's. The sides of pasta and spinach were outstanding. Even the attendant who brought our water kept filling them just when we needed more and brought more bread when he saw we were out. Everyone in the restaurant is very personable and accommodating. It is casual dining at perfect pricing with a good list of cocktails and wine. We just moved here and look forward to coming back every week to dine at our "new" secret local gem!
(5)
Dave K.
Za Za's! Love it!!! It's local, family-owned spot with great atmosphere and most importantly - the best Italian we've found in the burbs. Try the herb-crusted scallop app with a brown butter sauce. Awesome. Eggplant Parmesan - don't stop there. The fish, the steak, the pasta. I'm working thru the whole menu without a complaint. Bar serves up trendy drinks like Moscow mules, Hendricks G&T's, etc. This is a wonderful place that arrogant city people will condescend about, yet we haven't found a more satisfying Italian spot anywhere in the western burbs. Ever like a place enough that you start sounding like an Infomercial around friends? Be original, try Za Za's. We'll see you there!
(4)
Laura S.
You know it is hard to impress someone that grew up with homemade Italian food in the kitchen, so I was not impressed. I think I enjoyed being in the local more than anything.
(3)
Jeff J.
One star is too many. Why: 1. seat 55 minutes late for our RESERVED time. 2. Seated at a table for 4 people when we had 5 in our party. 3. Manager/owner was indifferent and uncaring. Seemed more interested in getting drunk at the bar than listening to issue or helping solve. a TRUE "B", or worse. We have been here the last 5 years for Christmas Eve dinner - as well as intermittently through the year. NEVER AGAIN.
(1)
Jie S.
A decent old-fashioned Italian place. One of my coworkers is from Italy and recommended this place to me. Very tasty dishes but slightly on the heavy side for me. The decor is classic and comfy. Three of us shared the Artichoke appetizer, Penne Abruzzesser, and Whitefish with Spinach. All of them were really good. Artichoke was presented in an interesting way. A whole Artichoke looked like a flower floating on a plate. It was a bit challenge to eat. We were told to pull the leaves one by one and eat the cheesy dressing, then eat up the heart in the middle. We loved it however a bit heavy for me. Whitefish was grilled nicely and the fish was flavored just right however the fish was a bit tough to my taste. The Spinach was also perfectly cooked and flavored. Light with the right portion. We used a to-go container for Penne but not other dishes. The penne was cooked nicely, a bit chewy just as the way I like how noodles should be cooked. The chopped-up sausage with tomato sauce was tasty but a little salty for us. We also ordered Chocolate souffle which was very delicious. Definitely worth trying again next time. This is a nice place to dine out with your friends. It would be a good idea to share the dishes among friends to reduce the expense and calories. Oh, print out the 10% online coupon and remember to use those which we forgot today.
(4)
Larry G.
Great restaurant - Appetizers Awesome, Entrees Amazing ( Filet Marsala - favorite), Desserts Incredible ( home made Tiramisu to die for) -- Wonderful Atmosphere. Yes you'll wait by the bar for a few minutes if the crowd is moving slow which can go past your reservation time but if you're a fine diner thats how it works - if waiting for quality bothers you, then there's always Chili's.
Great Italian food. One of my favorite local places. Best tasting red sauce. The sausage and peppers with mushrooms and linguini is awesome. Good wine selection - reasonable prices. Service is adequate, but often not consistent or reliable.
(4)
Carolyn B.
My first impression of the restaurant was that it was small but in a cozy way. However, that contributed to the loudness which caused us to leave rather than stay and relax. The food was good and we were served promptly. I ordered the whitefish and it was much too salty for me, but I never add salt to my cooking. Enjoyed the pasta and bread very much. We were there at 7:30 on a Wed and the restaurant was full.
(3)
Sherry L.
We love eating outdoors here, great food, wine, friendly service!
(4)
Vanessa S.
After dining here last night, I have to say, I really think most of the negative reviews are kind of ridiculous, it's too bad they drag the overall rating of Zaza's down. We arrived on a Sunday night and were happy we made a reservation because the place was packed. The hostess seated us right away, and our waitress was very friendly and attentive. The space itself is cozy and charming, I didn't feel cramped despite the small space. Zaza's menu changes seasonally which I love, and there were some surprise dishes that helped this Trattoria stand out. My mom and I both ordered the crab gnocchi which was so light and fluffy yet still decadent. Our dining companions ordered the Italian sausage and a chicken dish - servings were more than generous, and all the food was delicious. We had wine by the glass which was a little pricier than the average in the area, but not outrageous. The four of us all agreed on a 4 star rating. Overall the service was great, but there were a few slow spots towards the end of the meal, and a few of the desserts were a little frost bitten, but everything else was excellent. If you enjoy a warm spot with friendly service and mouthwatering food check out Zaza's, plus you can usually score a Groupon too!
(4)
Mike R.
We were planning on going here and made a reservation for 7 people. But then we needed to reschedule for the next night. When I called in several hours in advance to do so, I received so much attitude that I just canceled entirely. Sorry, but sometimes plans change.
(2)
Eileen H.
I have been here a few times and never have been disappointed with the food. Although, they need to have a choice of salad dressings not just balsamic vinegar! The Whitefish is wonderful with a very tasty light sauce.
(4)
Brian G.
Huge portions and not great but not horrible price in this carbon clone of the Francescas chain. Same menu structure - many of the same items - much bigger portions. BUT food is mediocre - way too salty. Across the 7 or so dishes - 2 good - 2 ok and three salty or tasty. I had dry (hard to do) bland sausages. Other folks over salted. It's just not good. Also only place I HAVE ever bene in my life where they post a time limit on weekend nights for table use. Assume they had people staying too long but most places serve quickly and then hint to get you to move, never seen someone post it. Sort of rude I think but we are quick eaters so would not be an issue for me. :)
(2)
Mike K.
I always sit at the bar and usually just order Italian beers and an appetizer, I thought the crab cakes were good....very nice feeling and decor inside....only complaint is that the wait staff congregates by the kitchen door right next to the bar and it can get a little loud, and you get the bright white light shining onto the bar area.
(3)
Sam M.
When you eat a dish and know you can make a better one, then you know that this is not a restaurant you will frequent again. This is exactly what happened to me. I had gone to this restaurant in the past, and always had a decent experience (nothing amazing). This time, however, the service and the food was subpar. We ordered an appetizer (the eggplant) that was decent. The portion was too large and it was a bit salty, but the sauce was very tasty and complete. For the main entree we decided to share the linguine with scampi. This dish was awful. It was watery, had virtually no flavor, and had 5 shrimps total--all for 20 dollars. I'm pretty good in the kitchen, and I know I can cook better than this--it was atrocious. For this reason, I don't think I will ever go back. I rather whip up something in the kitchen than spend hard earned money at this place. As for the service, well the waiter looked pissed off and was not friendly at all. He made us feel rather uncomfortable. After we received and finished our appetizer, he decided to ask us what we would like for the main course. Will not be back again. It's a pity because I thought this really was a hidden gem that peple always forgot about and a good small business to support. Turns out, there is a reason everyone forgets about it.
(2)
Robyn C.
I love it when my hubby has to run on Saturdays ... that means carb loading for dinner and my favorite ... Italian food. I picked Zaza's because it is close to home and because the ratings were good. I am so glad that I did, this place is a solid 4 starts almost at the cusp of being 5 only for one reason which I will get to. Food: You get the typical bread, olive oil, parm cheese mix. We hype it up with balsamic vinegar and pepper .. try it, you'll love it. I ordered the Penne Abbruzzesse. This dish was fantastic. I am so delighted that it came huge so I have plenty of left overs ... or at least I would have plenty if my hubby didn't eat half of it since he liked it a lot too. He ordered the sea bass with linguine. This was very tasty, the fish could have been a little fresher, but it was cooked well and overall, the dish was very good. The sauce they used wasn't too heavy which is good since they add a mound of linguine. Service: Very very attentive, my glass of water was constantly filled, almost to where they just hired this guy solely to pour water. I actually like that... he doesn't bug you or anything, he just refills your water and leaves. Sometimes you don't even realize he refilled your water. The bad part of our experience was when it was time to leave. They were efficient ... almost too efficient. We felt like we were being forced out with how fast our plates were cleared and how fast the check came. I looked by the door and no one was waiting, but it was a Friday night, and they probably had more reservations coming in, so it was understandable, but for a great experience from the beginning to feeling like we were getting kicked out kind of killed it. We will definitely by back though... I would totally rather come here than Maggianos, or even Antico Posto. The food is just as good as Antico Posto, but with no 45 minute wait for a table and the prices are much more reasonable.
(4)
Paul A.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Terrible management. They have no intention of honoring your reservation. 3 separate times we have arrived to find that we have to sit our butts in their crowded noisy bar for twenty minutes or more before we can get a table. No more. Never again.
(1)
Jen M.
This place is SWEET!! I've lived 10 minutes from this restaurant for my entire life and just tried it for the first time last night. I will say that our server was terrible, but the food is so good, that I will risk poor service and return again. We did not try any appetizers because they were very generous with the fresh baked, hot bread and dipping oils. We all ordered pasta as our entrees, since their pasta is made from scratch, and we were all very satisfied. Mine was probably the best - the farfalle with chicken, wild mushroom, spinach, in a light olive oil sauce. The restaurant itself has a nice setup, cool decor, and a big bar. Will definitely be returning soon.
(5)
alicia b.
Holy crud I'm hungry just thinking of the insanly good dinner my boy had there a couple weeks ago. We were driving aimlessly around looking for a new place to have dinner when BAM we stumbled upon the scrumptious Zazas. It just a tiny lil' Italian place with some majoy culinary skills back in the kitchen. We were greeted by our lovely waitress which I forgot her name..oopps! I wish I remembered since I dont like a lot of people and I really liked her. Thats besides the point...She brought us a couple of tasty glasses of wine from their extensive wine list. As we sipped on those we decided to go with her reccomendation of the stuffed artichoke for our appy. While waiting for that we chowed down some warm fresh bread that was brought to the table. When the art came I almost passed out it was covered in buttery breadcrumbs, olive oil and some secret sauce , it was seriously,no joke one the greatest foods I have ever tasted in my 27 years of life! You Need, you MUST go just to try the gigantic artichoke.I know it was on special so maybe call ahead a make sure they either have it or can make it for you. After devouring it was ordered our main dishes.I was pretty full at this point but we had to check out the rest of the food.I really had a tast for orchiette with garlic and oil but it wasnt on the menu so I asked our waitress and she assured me they could whip it up for me. So they did! It was very light and tasty. Sam and I were worn out from enjoying our meal that we couldnt do dessert but next time we wont blow our load on the appy in order to save room for dessert! We will be heading back for another tasty meal,,,hopefully next weekend;)
(5)
Mrs. F.
I heard good things about this place, and I wanted to like it--but how can you enjoy a baked artichoke that is so completely drowning in olive oil that the bread crumbs are soggy? And whitefish that is doing the backstroke because there is way too much olive oil masquerading as sauce? They should learn how to cook with herbs instead of oil. The service is excellent, but the hostess didn't wash her hands after using the toilet.... This restaurant is in a strip mall for a reason.
(2)
Tim C.
Great decor, great food, and great service. Doesn't play Sinatra continuously, what more can you ask for from an Italian Restaurant? Your wife, your date, your business associates or your friends will be impressed by the dark wood decor and spiffy wait staff. More often than not, i get one of the fish dishes. Though in season, they have a great soft shell dish. Chicken and pasta dishes are quite good too. Never tried a steak here, so you're on your own there. This is Chicago though, it's going to be a good steak, right? Only thing to ding 'em for is the bread. Kind of minor, but my son in law bakes French Bread in Lincoln and Omaha, NB so now I am a bread snob. Still doesn't stop me from sopping up olive oil and Parmesan with their so so bread. :-) Give 'em five stars anyhow. If my son in law opens Chicago store, they will have to upgrade though.
(5)
Carol K.
I have driven by this place a million times and have never given this place a second glance. In fact- I wasn't sure it if was a restaurant or a part of the decorating place next door. But I stopped by here tonight for dinner with a friend and I was pleasantly surprised. This place is smallish with wooden tables scattered about that offers up the feeling of a home in Italy. While some reviewers have called it "romantic", it didn't feel that way to me as romantic conjures up dark and intimate and this place is bright and light. Since it was a foggy, Monday night- I needn't have bothered with reservations as we were one of only two tables in the place. Our server was polite, efficient and when asked- offered up some excellent suggestions on the menu. We started with the carpaccio which was interesting in that the slivers of beef were covered in avocado's, capers, shaved cheese, tomatoes and Italian dressing. We also had the scallops which were drizzled with balsamic vinegar and the ZaZa salad which was full of a variety of lettuces, artichoke hearts, bleu cheese tomatoes and olives. Here's a hint- this salad could serve 4 people. We split it and it was still overwhelming so come with an appetite or lots of friends. All the food was delicious although I did wish for a little less Italian dressing on the salad. As for our entrees- we both had a pasta dish. Mine was penne pasta with Italian ham and sausage (Penne Abbruzzeesse)- very good. And the other, one of the specials of the day, which was tortellini with vodka sauce-also good but a bit bland. Hardly making a dent on the size of the pasta dishes served, we saved a teeny bit of room for a couple of their desserts. The raspberry chocolate cake was the winner but the tartufo (Italian ice cream truffle) gave it a run for it's money! All in all- good Italian food served in a country like atmosphere. The prices are reasonable ($125 for two including 6 drinks), the service was helpful and this will go on my list of places to go when I am in the mood for Italian out in the burbs!
(3)
Lizzi C.
...did carry out here for dinner last night - best gnocchi I've ever eaten in my life!!!!!!! It was stuffed with CRAB and had an amazing cream sauce. The gnocchi was so light, like little pillows. They would have been superb by themselves, but the crab filling and sauce was just nuts. The stuffed artichoke was as good, if not better, than the first time I dined here...we also ordered an eggplant parm appetizer - delicious. The other entree was cheese ravioli with a creamy truffle sauce. Two apps and two entrees (+bread and soup) under $52. Love this place. Eat here!!
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Terry W.
Food is less than mediocre. Service was terrible on night I went with four people. Waited 20 minutes for bread and initial round of drinks. Waited for half hour for check. Finally had to stand up and put coats on before check arrived. Major attitude from manager/owner. Will never return.
(1)Evangelina M.
Romantic Delicious and perfect for sit Dow dinner or just to sit at bar for drinks salad an appetizer.
(5)Gregory S.
My wife and I ate at ZAZa's with another couple on 4/25/15. They added another table's $80 bill on to our tab. The owner agreed to credit our credit card for the "mistake". A week later we had to visit the restaurant in person to get the credit as he had not processed the credit as promised. We had been loyal customers of 10+ years. We will never return.
(1)Robert R.
This place is one of the best kept secrets in the western suburbs, but I'm still amazed every time I visit at how accommodating it is. I've never had to wait, no matter what time I've dined (which, I must confess, has only been three or four times) Of course, I love Italian food (who doesn't?), so everything on the menu looks good. However, I've found that if you ask your waiter or waitress what they'd recommend, you'll walk out having enjoyed your meal 10 times more since most likely, you wouldn't have ordered it on your own. Being a somewhat routine-oriented guy, this works great for me. And the leftovers just keep that experience going even when you're at home. You'll find yourself trying to resist the urge to go to the fridge for just one more bite, no matter how full you may be...I guarantee it! If you're on Ogden, just west of Rt. 83, check it out. It's hiding in plain sight on the south side of the street. I'd say you can't miss it, but the truth is, you CAN if you're not looking for their black and white sign, so keep your eyes open. Now quit reading this and go get something to eat!
(4)Michelle I.
I often forget about this restaurant! Excellent Italian food!! One of my favorites! The italian cuisine is authentic and always made fresh! My favorite is the Penne Abbruzzesse! The Pollo alla Sassie is a close second! Their salads are crisp and yummy! The restaurant is very small so your best bet is to come at a strange time 4:00?? They have a nice outdoor patio that is opened in season.
(5)Casandra G.
My boyfriend, who refuses to yelp, asked me to find a nice Italian place in the west burbs for him to take his mum on mother's day. They usually just go for Maggiano's since it's got the name brand and all, but they happened to be booked solid that night. So I scoured trusty yelp for a possible lead on a sleeper Italian place that would not be packed on mother's day, but because of lack of knowledge, not lack of quality. So I referred him to Zaza's, with its teeny number of reviews, and buddy, it did not disappoint. According to him, this spot is a fresh-tasting, generous-portioned, overall very satisfying gem that smacks the pants off of Maggiano's, for a better price too. His mum raves about this place and has made it her staple "fancy restaurant" stop since Mother's Day '09. TBA: let's see what happens when I make the trek out to visit him, and mention a hankering for some tasty Italian... and I'll report whether there really is good Italian west of Taylor street.
(4)Kathleen C.
Great Italian restaurant, especially on Ogden which is filled with unoriginal and chain restaurants Menu is definitely on the small side but I felt like they really worked on making my dish great instead of mass producing numerous menu choices. And the small restaurant seems really cozy and not loud at all. We ordered the insalata salad which was a great start for 4 people. Then I had MahiMahi with peppers which was awesome. Two in my party ordered steak which wasn't on the menu but was a special. They said it was good. Prices are $10-20 per entree with fish, beef, and pasta choices.
(4)Mike M.
I love to have lunch with fellow Indiana Hoosiers, especially when they pick up the tab! I just came from Zaza's and wanted to share my thoughts with others. There a places where you feel crowded and there are places you feel comfortable. This is a really cozy place with well designed table space that you feel right at home. My buddy (LaBrash) ordered the Penne Abbruzzesse so I followed suite. You can tell when a sauce takes a long time to prepare - this sauce was definitively slow cooked! It had a little spice and heat to it (the way I like it) with homemade char-broiled Italian sausages in a a plum tomato sauce over some penne pasta. The service was perfect and since it was snowing for the first time in Clarendon Hills this winter, a cozy restaurant was just what I needed, along with some Hoosier friends.
(5)Mas K.
Tried Zaza's for the first time and was really impressed with their lunch menu balanced with their reasonable pricing. Went in expecting the normal offerings but many of their dishes seemed to have an extra twist on the preparation or ingredients and I was actually torn trying to decide what to order. Both my wife started with your basic caprese salad (good) we each had fish topped with veggies and a side of linguini (excellent bass & salmon, linguini excellent), finished with a tiramisu (excellent, not soggy with nice subtle flavors). Only reason I didn't give 5 stars, because it was my first time. The decor was very pleasant and comfortable. Will definitely be back again.
(4)Alissa T.
Had dinner here last night, had the penne abbruzesse, instead of penne I asked for linguine and it was really really good. My husband ordered the rigatoni and it was ok, kind of heavy. My sis-in-law had the risotto and she said the chicken was dry and the rice was kind of crispy. The server was also a little non-chalant about things and took forever to pick up our credit cards when we were ready to pay
(3)Parth B.
Came here for my brother's birthday and the food was great. Based on reading old reviews, I think that the key to enjoying the ambiance here is to come on a week night when it isn't busy. Our server Andrea was fantastic (try to request her) & she made the experience so great. Prices are good as well, and the house wines actually taste awesome.
(4)Mike N.
I have been to Zaza's several times over the past few years, including last night. Here's what you can expect. On a Saturday night, plan on waiting past your reservation time, 20 minutes is typical. Not much of a waiting area, so you'll be in bar area. Food is excellent and portions are good sized. Pastas priced in mid teen range /entrees in mid 20's. My favorite is Pasta Abbruzzesse. Skip the Caesar--nothing special and it has iceberg lettuce mixed in it. Ugh! My wife typically gets one of the fish dishes and enjoys them. For kids, they will do a pasta with red sauce on request. Service is friendly but sometimes when they are rushing, they don't pay attention. For instance, last night the salmon was charred black and dried out. It should never have left the kitchen and the server should have caught it before bringing it to the table. I guess most people would just eat it, complain amongst themselves and never come back. We sent it back and by the time the new dish arrived, my daughter and I were basically done with dinner. I didn't expect anything comped in this situation, but the manager should have stopped by to apologize. I know the experience to expect here. Even with the negatives, Zaza's is still on my list to dine at occasionally.
(3)Carole G.
So disappointed. This restaurant has been patronized by a good friend and her family, my aunt, my sister and my father. They all said this restaurant was "OK" so we decided to take the family to dinner on Sunday March 22. I made 5:30 reservations, and once arrived, we began a slow journey of unacceptable service. A simple dinner lasted almost 2-1/2 hours. The place was not busy, but yet it took our waitress 20 minutes to bring us two sprites, a cup of coffee and two mixed drinks. She padded our bill and double charged us for coffee and meals thinking we wouldn't catch it. Check your final bill people and do a head count. We placed our orders and the dinners came out in slow stages. The first two dinners had been consumed by the time the rest of us had even been served. Two of us received dinners we didn't order, and the waitress just switched an incorrect dinner for an incorrect dinner telling me to taste it first, said "don't worry about it, if you like it, keep it" and then charged us for our correct dinners and the incorrect dinners we didn't order. What the heck? We were charged for extra coffees when we only ordered three. We were charged an extra $1.00 for a sample of Bloody Mary mix from the bar that the waitress offered for one in our party to try and we did not order this "sample". We confronted her with the incorrect charges and she only said "OH" and took off only one of the wrong dinners that had been sent back. She told us all at the table she ordered the wrong dinners and it was her fault, so don't worry about it, she will fix it. ?? What am I missing here? She didn't adjust our final bill correctly and we should have gone to the manager, except we found out today, Monday, that the manager of the restaurant was our waitress. Good thing I didn't go to the manager, huh? Two of those dinners should have been removed, two coffees and the sample served by the waitress. My husband said "forget it, we will take it out of her tip, otherwise we will be here until 9 pm" As for the food itself, most of the dishes were very good but salty. The ravioli dishes are on the skimpy side. The individual pizza crust was burned so I shared my dinner with my grandson. It just wasn't worth waiting for another pizza to be made because everything took so long. The pasta sauces were creamy and full of flavor, but again, they were salty. People who are on low sodium diets should beware. After dinner, our party stood in the parking lot and came to the decision we would not give Zaza's our business again, and would not recommend it to a friend. Final review: Service is horrible; wrong food served, bill padded. Enter at your own risk.
(2)Robert S.
Bad part and made me question the rest of their products... I ordered A Killian's Irish Red beer. It came in a bottle and was ice cold, but tasted bad. Half way through drinking the beer I was checking the label and turns out the beer expired over 1yr and 1month ago. Our server apologized they showed the entire staff and the owner came to apologize. He did offer another, but I didn't trust anything else the could possibly bring me. I was a bit offended he didn't offer a free dessert or drink, discount or something. The bad beer was removed from my bill. Our pasta's were pretty good, but back of my mind was concerned about expiration dates on what I and my girlfriend were eating. Won't be back, I can understand an expiration date being missed by a month or two, but more than 1yr 1mo leads me to question health/sanitary practices.
(2)K H.
Pretty disappointed overall and will not be returning. My husband I went with friends on Saturday night - made a 7:30 reservation and were told upon arrival that they were "running behind, at least 25 minutes." Not apologetic or welcoming! We made our way to the bar and waited until 8:10 when I finally went to ask what the status was. We were sat at a table and had terribly slow service - which was super annoying since we were all hungry after waiting almost an hour past out reservation time! We had to ask for bread, ask for water refills and our entrees took way too long. The food is good but definitely not great enough to compensate for the poor experience. We'll be going elsewhere. Oh and one more thing. They have draft beer taps at the bar but don't have draft beer, only bottles. That's weird!
(2)Kenneth C.
We had some great food and outstanding service. We shared the Chevre al Forno, which is imported goat cheese baked with tomato basil sauce served on toasted bruschetta. This was outstanding. I had their special lobster ravioli. The sauce was spectacular, the ravioli cooked perfectly and the lobster filling very flavorful. My wife Polo Leminato which again was cooked perfectly. The sauce was very delicate without an overwhelming lemon flavor that you sometime get. For desert we had the Chocolate Truffle. This was a very flavorful chocolate sorbet with a vanilla inside. For our next visit we are looking to try their Crab Gnocchi and the Chocolate Soufflé
(5)Patricia S.
We headed to Zaza's for our seventh wedding anniversary. We'd eaten there several years earlier for Valentines Day, so we knew it had the ambience we were looking for. We made a reservation a couple days prior but it wasn't overly crowded when we arrived. I'd suggest making one if you plan to eat later, though, as it was beginning to fill up as we left. I couldn't talk my husband into a bottle of wine but the wine list was very respectable. Our waiter was wonderful, and incredibly attentive. A busboy came around often enough that I never had less than a half a glass of water. We ordered a half order of clams to start and they were delicious. My husband got the pasta special for his entree which included mussels, shrimp and scallops. I ordered the capellini pomodoro and it was amazing. The portions were gigantic and neither of us could finish our entire meal. I wish we'd left room for dessert because I can't imagine it would have been anything less than spectacular. Our table was nestled towards the back of the room and felt very intimate. Overall it was an amazing evening and I hope to celebrate several future occasions at Zaza's.
(5)Bryan B.
The Zaza salad is still great. It's about $12 and entree-sized. Get it with grilled shrimp. By the way, it's easy to get in and out of here if you're in a hurry at lunch time.
(3)Minal J.
We made reservations ahead of time and we were seated immediately apon walking in. They deliver fresh bread to your table which is still pretty hot. We ordered off the specials menu which had no prices. This was deceiving because the waitress recommended a very tasty appetizer; the mixed grilled seafood ensalada. This wound up being $18. Aside from that, I ordered the lobster ravioli and it was pretty tasty. It comes with a red pepper cream sauce, which was very rich. I enjoyed my dish. Then we ordered the tiramisu which was ok. It was filled with whip cream more then what I am used to. Overall, it was authentic but on the pricey side. All in all, I would go back.
(4)Merid L.
I've eaten there many times for lunch. It is terrific and dinner is even better.Drinks are on high side.
(4)Jack C.
Nope. Not gonna play that game. Had 7:00 reservation. Walked in, waited 5 min at hostess stand. Finally she came. Gave our name and reservation time (we were right on time)...told it will be 15 min, have a drink in the bar. Went to the bar, it was a sardine can and packed like one.Standing room only, shoulder to shoulder, all waiting???? Bottom line, we expect a reservation to be honored. I understand a couple minutes, but being told 15 min up front? That means a lot longer to me. If you're going to play that game, then offer to buy the drinks ....didn't think so.. So, 1 star...we walked out.Probably did them a favor by leaving, helped them with the back log.
(1)Mike R.
Food was very good, but everything separate. We got seated right away, and service was very attentive. Pricey when you start adding items.
(2)Tavo N.
Good friendly service. Pasta is amazing also there wine, has a cozy feel to it, perfect for a date highly recomend it
(4)John P.
Outstanding. Excellent service and great food and drink. Go for the whitefish. Got mine with a filet and it was awesome.
(5)Sabrina M.
I don't know what more i can say that hasn't been said already. It has the greatest food. It's a little small and quaint but i love it. Wonderful pasta choices, fish that is to die for, and always new specials. And any restaurant that gives me bread and olive oil and cheese to dip it in makes me happy. I love it, its really all i can say.
(5)Joe R.
One of my favs! Zaza salad and whitefish are incredible!"
(4)Ziek B.
I love this place. I have a hard time giving it 5 stars because that seems like it should be saved for the truly extraordinary, but this place is so solid and I always like what I get when I go there (which is often). If there was any teenie gripe, sometimes when I get one of their excellent daily fish specials, the sauce can be a bit too salty. But the fish is always cooked just right, the pairings are great. The pasta dishes are always made with fresh ingredients and the flavors are always subtle yet complex. I give it 5 because I don't have many places I want to eat at once a month or more but I will never turn down an invitation to go to Zaza's.
(5)Jay P.
My favorite Italian food in the western suburbs!!
(4)Gary F.
I read this place referred to as a "Mia Francesca clone". But its better by far. The service is actually friendly here. Menu is smallish but a very adequate selection for our whole party. Reservations a must on weekends. Good value for delicious food.
(5)Stephanie S.
The food here was pretty good. I like Francesca's better, but this will do. However, I probably won't be back because of the service. The hostess was sitting in the waiting area when we walked in and gave a lackluster "how many people?" and a frown to us instead of a greeting. Our waitress was much the same who seemed annoyed we were there and like we were wasting her time. There's a help wanted sign in the window, and hopefully it's for these folks. Other than that, they have a nice outdoor seating area which will be nice in good weather.
(3)Larry H.
I took my family and visiting friends there on a Sunday night. There was some business, but it was not crowded. We sat down and the waitress came up yo serve us right away. I had every reason to believe it would be a nice dinner. They had good bread on the table, along with some calamata olivres. The busser was prompt and we had water right away. That is where things started to go awry. It took entirely too long for the waitress to come take our order. It's a good thing we didn't want appetizers, because we'd still be there. She finally returned and took our order. Then, she vanished again. Fortunately, the bus boy kept water full. The food came out within a reasonable amount of time. Two of us had Penne Abbruzzesse, pasta with Italian sausage. Two had Frutti de Mar, and one had Braciole. The food was very good. I especially thought the Frutti de Mar was great. It was a touch salty, but that is just my taste. If I went on food quality alone, I'd return. But the service ruined it for me. I'm not a demanding customer, but out waitress had to be tracked down 3 times. I told her I had a group on. She said shed be right back and poof, she was gone. I tipped her accordingly, but you should be warned before you go. I probably won't be back. There are plenty of Italian restaurants with much better service.
(2)Charles T.
Took my girlfriend for her birthday and her daughter and boyfriend. We were seated in a nice boots. Andrea was very attentive to our every wish. The cosmopolitan that my girlfriend had was the best she had ever had, made by Anthony at the bar. The food was simply outstanding! The daughters boyfriend said it was the best gnocchi he had ever tasted. I had the tilapia special which was delicious. My girlfriend had the salmon, which is her favorite at Za Za's. The sides of pasta and spinach were outstanding. Even the attendant who brought our water kept filling them just when we needed more and brought more bread when he saw we were out. Everyone in the restaurant is very personable and accommodating. It is casual dining at perfect pricing with a good list of cocktails and wine. We just moved here and look forward to coming back every week to dine at our "new" secret local gem!
(5)Dave K.
Za Za's! Love it!!! It's local, family-owned spot with great atmosphere and most importantly - the best Italian we've found in the burbs. Try the herb-crusted scallop app with a brown butter sauce. Awesome. Eggplant Parmesan - don't stop there. The fish, the steak, the pasta. I'm working thru the whole menu without a complaint. Bar serves up trendy drinks like Moscow mules, Hendricks G&T's, etc. This is a wonderful place that arrogant city people will condescend about, yet we haven't found a more satisfying Italian spot anywhere in the western burbs. Ever like a place enough that you start sounding like an Infomercial around friends? Be original, try Za Za's. We'll see you there!
(4)Laura S.
You know it is hard to impress someone that grew up with homemade Italian food in the kitchen, so I was not impressed. I think I enjoyed being in the local more than anything.
(3)Jeff J.
One star is too many. Why: 1. seat 55 minutes late for our RESERVED time. 2. Seated at a table for 4 people when we had 5 in our party. 3. Manager/owner was indifferent and uncaring. Seemed more interested in getting drunk at the bar than listening to issue or helping solve. a TRUE "B", or worse. We have been here the last 5 years for Christmas Eve dinner - as well as intermittently through the year. NEVER AGAIN.
(1)Jie S.
A decent old-fashioned Italian place. One of my coworkers is from Italy and recommended this place to me. Very tasty dishes but slightly on the heavy side for me. The decor is classic and comfy. Three of us shared the Artichoke appetizer, Penne Abruzzesser, and Whitefish with Spinach. All of them were really good. Artichoke was presented in an interesting way. A whole Artichoke looked like a flower floating on a plate. It was a bit challenge to eat. We were told to pull the leaves one by one and eat the cheesy dressing, then eat up the heart in the middle. We loved it however a bit heavy for me. Whitefish was grilled nicely and the fish was flavored just right however the fish was a bit tough to my taste. The Spinach was also perfectly cooked and flavored. Light with the right portion. We used a to-go container for Penne but not other dishes. The penne was cooked nicely, a bit chewy just as the way I like how noodles should be cooked. The chopped-up sausage with tomato sauce was tasty but a little salty for us. We also ordered Chocolate souffle which was very delicious. Definitely worth trying again next time. This is a nice place to dine out with your friends. It would be a good idea to share the dishes among friends to reduce the expense and calories. Oh, print out the 10% online coupon and remember to use those which we forgot today.
(4)Larry G.
Great restaurant - Appetizers Awesome, Entrees Amazing ( Filet Marsala - favorite), Desserts Incredible ( home made Tiramisu to die for) -- Wonderful Atmosphere. Yes you'll wait by the bar for a few minutes if the crowd is moving slow which can go past your reservation time but if you're a fine diner thats how it works - if waiting for quality bothers you, then there's always Chili's.
(4)rich h.
Very, very good. Had the grilled calamari to start with as appetizer. This was amazing. Better than the usual fried mess most places give you. For entrée went with pasta dish with angel hair, spinach, sausage. Just perfect blend of spices. Prices were very fair considering the great quality.
(5)R J.
Great Italian food. One of my favorite local places. Best tasting red sauce. The sausage and peppers with mushrooms and linguini is awesome. Good wine selection - reasonable prices. Service is adequate, but often not consistent or reliable.
(4)Carolyn B.
My first impression of the restaurant was that it was small but in a cozy way. However, that contributed to the loudness which caused us to leave rather than stay and relax. The food was good and we were served promptly. I ordered the whitefish and it was much too salty for me, but I never add salt to my cooking. Enjoyed the pasta and bread very much. We were there at 7:30 on a Wed and the restaurant was full.
(3)Sherry L.
We love eating outdoors here, great food, wine, friendly service!
(4)Vanessa S.
After dining here last night, I have to say, I really think most of the negative reviews are kind of ridiculous, it's too bad they drag the overall rating of Zaza's down. We arrived on a Sunday night and were happy we made a reservation because the place was packed. The hostess seated us right away, and our waitress was very friendly and attentive. The space itself is cozy and charming, I didn't feel cramped despite the small space. Zaza's menu changes seasonally which I love, and there were some surprise dishes that helped this Trattoria stand out. My mom and I both ordered the crab gnocchi which was so light and fluffy yet still decadent. Our dining companions ordered the Italian sausage and a chicken dish - servings were more than generous, and all the food was delicious. We had wine by the glass which was a little pricier than the average in the area, but not outrageous. The four of us all agreed on a 4 star rating. Overall the service was great, but there were a few slow spots towards the end of the meal, and a few of the desserts were a little frost bitten, but everything else was excellent. If you enjoy a warm spot with friendly service and mouthwatering food check out Zaza's, plus you can usually score a Groupon too!
(4)Mike R.
We were planning on going here and made a reservation for 7 people. But then we needed to reschedule for the next night. When I called in several hours in advance to do so, I received so much attitude that I just canceled entirely. Sorry, but sometimes plans change.
(2)Eileen H.
I have been here a few times and never have been disappointed with the food. Although, they need to have a choice of salad dressings not just balsamic vinegar! The Whitefish is wonderful with a very tasty light sauce.
(4)Brian G.
Huge portions and not great but not horrible price in this carbon clone of the Francescas chain. Same menu structure - many of the same items - much bigger portions. BUT food is mediocre - way too salty. Across the 7 or so dishes - 2 good - 2 ok and three salty or tasty. I had dry (hard to do) bland sausages. Other folks over salted. It's just not good. Also only place I HAVE ever bene in my life where they post a time limit on weekend nights for table use. Assume they had people staying too long but most places serve quickly and then hint to get you to move, never seen someone post it. Sort of rude I think but we are quick eaters so would not be an issue for me. :)
(2)Mike K.
I always sit at the bar and usually just order Italian beers and an appetizer, I thought the crab cakes were good....very nice feeling and decor inside....only complaint is that the wait staff congregates by the kitchen door right next to the bar and it can get a little loud, and you get the bright white light shining onto the bar area.
(3)Sam M.
When you eat a dish and know you can make a better one, then you know that this is not a restaurant you will frequent again. This is exactly what happened to me. I had gone to this restaurant in the past, and always had a decent experience (nothing amazing). This time, however, the service and the food was subpar. We ordered an appetizer (the eggplant) that was decent. The portion was too large and it was a bit salty, but the sauce was very tasty and complete. For the main entree we decided to share the linguine with scampi. This dish was awful. It was watery, had virtually no flavor, and had 5 shrimps total--all for 20 dollars. I'm pretty good in the kitchen, and I know I can cook better than this--it was atrocious. For this reason, I don't think I will ever go back. I rather whip up something in the kitchen than spend hard earned money at this place. As for the service, well the waiter looked pissed off and was not friendly at all. He made us feel rather uncomfortable. After we received and finished our appetizer, he decided to ask us what we would like for the main course. Will not be back again. It's a pity because I thought this really was a hidden gem that peple always forgot about and a good small business to support. Turns out, there is a reason everyone forgets about it.
(2)Robyn C.
I love it when my hubby has to run on Saturdays ... that means carb loading for dinner and my favorite ... Italian food. I picked Zaza's because it is close to home and because the ratings were good. I am so glad that I did, this place is a solid 4 starts almost at the cusp of being 5 only for one reason which I will get to. Food: You get the typical bread, olive oil, parm cheese mix. We hype it up with balsamic vinegar and pepper .. try it, you'll love it. I ordered the Penne Abbruzzesse. This dish was fantastic. I am so delighted that it came huge so I have plenty of left overs ... or at least I would have plenty if my hubby didn't eat half of it since he liked it a lot too. He ordered the sea bass with linguine. This was very tasty, the fish could have been a little fresher, but it was cooked well and overall, the dish was very good. The sauce they used wasn't too heavy which is good since they add a mound of linguine. Service: Very very attentive, my glass of water was constantly filled, almost to where they just hired this guy solely to pour water. I actually like that... he doesn't bug you or anything, he just refills your water and leaves. Sometimes you don't even realize he refilled your water. The bad part of our experience was when it was time to leave. They were efficient ... almost too efficient. We felt like we were being forced out with how fast our plates were cleared and how fast the check came. I looked by the door and no one was waiting, but it was a Friday night, and they probably had more reservations coming in, so it was understandable, but for a great experience from the beginning to feeling like we were getting kicked out kind of killed it. We will definitely by back though... I would totally rather come here than Maggianos, or even Antico Posto. The food is just as good as Antico Posto, but with no 45 minute wait for a table and the prices are much more reasonable.
(4)Paul A.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid. Terrible management. They have no intention of honoring your reservation. 3 separate times we have arrived to find that we have to sit our butts in their crowded noisy bar for twenty minutes or more before we can get a table. No more. Never again.
(1)Jen M.
This place is SWEET!! I've lived 10 minutes from this restaurant for my entire life and just tried it for the first time last night. I will say that our server was terrible, but the food is so good, that I will risk poor service and return again. We did not try any appetizers because they were very generous with the fresh baked, hot bread and dipping oils. We all ordered pasta as our entrees, since their pasta is made from scratch, and we were all very satisfied. Mine was probably the best - the farfalle with chicken, wild mushroom, spinach, in a light olive oil sauce. The restaurant itself has a nice setup, cool decor, and a big bar. Will definitely be returning soon.
(5)alicia b.
Holy crud I'm hungry just thinking of the insanly good dinner my boy had there a couple weeks ago. We were driving aimlessly around looking for a new place to have dinner when BAM we stumbled upon the scrumptious Zazas. It just a tiny lil' Italian place with some majoy culinary skills back in the kitchen. We were greeted by our lovely waitress which I forgot her name..oopps! I wish I remembered since I dont like a lot of people and I really liked her. Thats besides the point...She brought us a couple of tasty glasses of wine from their extensive wine list. As we sipped on those we decided to go with her reccomendation of the stuffed artichoke for our appy. While waiting for that we chowed down some warm fresh bread that was brought to the table. When the art came I almost passed out it was covered in buttery breadcrumbs, olive oil and some secret sauce , it was seriously,no joke one the greatest foods I have ever tasted in my 27 years of life! You Need, you MUST go just to try the gigantic artichoke.I know it was on special so maybe call ahead a make sure they either have it or can make it for you. After devouring it was ordered our main dishes.I was pretty full at this point but we had to check out the rest of the food.I really had a tast for orchiette with garlic and oil but it wasnt on the menu so I asked our waitress and she assured me they could whip it up for me. So they did! It was very light and tasty. Sam and I were worn out from enjoying our meal that we couldnt do dessert but next time we wont blow our load on the appy in order to save room for dessert! We will be heading back for another tasty meal,,,hopefully next weekend;)
(5)Mrs. F.
I heard good things about this place, and I wanted to like it--but how can you enjoy a baked artichoke that is so completely drowning in olive oil that the bread crumbs are soggy? And whitefish that is doing the backstroke because there is way too much olive oil masquerading as sauce? They should learn how to cook with herbs instead of oil. The service is excellent, but the hostess didn't wash her hands after using the toilet.... This restaurant is in a strip mall for a reason.
(2)Tim C.
Great decor, great food, and great service. Doesn't play Sinatra continuously, what more can you ask for from an Italian Restaurant? Your wife, your date, your business associates or your friends will be impressed by the dark wood decor and spiffy wait staff. More often than not, i get one of the fish dishes. Though in season, they have a great soft shell dish. Chicken and pasta dishes are quite good too. Never tried a steak here, so you're on your own there. This is Chicago though, it's going to be a good steak, right? Only thing to ding 'em for is the bread. Kind of minor, but my son in law bakes French Bread in Lincoln and Omaha, NB so now I am a bread snob. Still doesn't stop me from sopping up olive oil and Parmesan with their so so bread. :-) Give 'em five stars anyhow. If my son in law opens Chicago store, they will have to upgrade though.
(5)Carol K.
I have driven by this place a million times and have never given this place a second glance. In fact- I wasn't sure it if was a restaurant or a part of the decorating place next door. But I stopped by here tonight for dinner with a friend and I was pleasantly surprised. This place is smallish with wooden tables scattered about that offers up the feeling of a home in Italy. While some reviewers have called it "romantic", it didn't feel that way to me as romantic conjures up dark and intimate and this place is bright and light. Since it was a foggy, Monday night- I needn't have bothered with reservations as we were one of only two tables in the place. Our server was polite, efficient and when asked- offered up some excellent suggestions on the menu. We started with the carpaccio which was interesting in that the slivers of beef were covered in avocado's, capers, shaved cheese, tomatoes and Italian dressing. We also had the scallops which were drizzled with balsamic vinegar and the ZaZa salad which was full of a variety of lettuces, artichoke hearts, bleu cheese tomatoes and olives. Here's a hint- this salad could serve 4 people. We split it and it was still overwhelming so come with an appetite or lots of friends. All the food was delicious although I did wish for a little less Italian dressing on the salad. As for our entrees- we both had a pasta dish. Mine was penne pasta with Italian ham and sausage (Penne Abbruzzeesse)- very good. And the other, one of the specials of the day, which was tortellini with vodka sauce-also good but a bit bland. Hardly making a dent on the size of the pasta dishes served, we saved a teeny bit of room for a couple of their desserts. The raspberry chocolate cake was the winner but the tartufo (Italian ice cream truffle) gave it a run for it's money! All in all- good Italian food served in a country like atmosphere. The prices are reasonable ($125 for two including 6 drinks), the service was helpful and this will go on my list of places to go when I am in the mood for Italian out in the burbs!
(3)Lizzi C.
...did carry out here for dinner last night - best gnocchi I've ever eaten in my life!!!!!!! It was stuffed with CRAB and had an amazing cream sauce. The gnocchi was so light, like little pillows. They would have been superb by themselves, but the crab filling and sauce was just nuts. The stuffed artichoke was as good, if not better, than the first time I dined here...we also ordered an eggplant parm appetizer - delicious. The other entree was cheese ravioli with a creamy truffle sauce. Two apps and two entrees (+bread and soup) under $52. Love this place. Eat here!!
(5)