Zerelda's Bistro — Restaurant in Juneau

*This is an older review posted during covid, and was censored previously by Google.

This was my first visit to their new location since the restaurant moved across to Mendenhall Mall, I don't think I'll be returning for a second visit.

Entering the new location, there is a crowded, hurried atmosphere like a large-city cafe, along with loud overhead pop music, and shrill blaring from beepers (you're given a pager-like device after ordering) to alert patrons their food is ready for pickup. This place is offensively noisy. With the paper sign-in sheet in front of the narrow entrance that blocks foot traffic, it was unpleasant being indoors having my ears assaulted in the few seconds I took to write my name down, and trying to find a nearby menu. My companion was subjected to passive-aggressive chiding by one of the customers for standing in line next to me, so if you're male you might want to stay away unless you want a random alphabet-person to harass you. Cool.

"It's just louder than you'd prefer!" You might say, but I haven't even mentioned the food yet. I ordered "Z's Poke Bowl", because surely this place had the same talent in the kitchen like before, so I thought. I ordered my food to go, the staff had it ready for me in about 8 minutes, I was excited to try this menu item from one of my favorite restaurants in Juneau.

When I returned home to enjoy the food in peace and quiet, I was greeted by a tidily arranged bowl of rice, fresh greens and edamame, assorted vinegary vegetables, 8 small blocks of ahi and unpeeled pineapple. This was the prettiest and most salty food I've ever been served that was called poke. Unpleasantly salty to someone who regulars authentic Asian cooking.

Why did I write a short novella in a restaurant review? Because I don't have strong of feelings for another business in Juneau. Zerelda's was an experience through its food, something that had no equivalents or contingencies. I don't feel the care for detail in its food, I don't see their new model being for anyone looking for the previous restaurant experience, just another "quick bite and coffee drink" with a premium price. This leaves me...salty.

And I'll be annoyed if my review is hidden from the Google business...

I loved old Zereldas and it took me a minute to get on board and actually go to the new one. I mean the old location had a charming cafe atmosphere- it was great for date nights as well as informal lunches with friends. The food hit the mark most of the time (do I think pork belly makes for a very greasy pho? I do. But that's personal preference. And I've never had a bad curry bowl so there's that. And rare is the restaurant where the special of the day is routinely a very good bet.) But I was a little... trepidatious... walking into the new location next to Thibideaus in the valley. How could it possibly compare?!! Well compare it does and how! I was starving, like on the verge of a very hangry place, and my friend had spaced we were having lunch and eaten breakfast like an hour before. I got the Mediterranean platter with lamb stew, she got a brownie and a drip coffee. I ate half mine, and had plenty left to create fancy green salads for lunch for my husband and me the next day. The brownie was divine. The menu hasn't changed much, which I don't know why I thought it had? But you can still get the fantastic curry bowls and salads and various Zombie barbecue things you could get at the old location. I was also under the impression that there was very limited seating, but even during the lunch rush (and my pal and I lingered for a good hour) there was always a free table. There's grab and go options, sit and savor options, everything comes in a to go box so you're set when the portion sizes exceed your caloric needs, it's clean and bright, the staff is friendly and amazing. And there's one tremendous improvement: the damned hours. My husband and I, who try VERY hard not to run our valley errands on the weekends, were seemingly always finding ourselves nearby on like, a Tuesday or Wednesday and going, all excited, "Hey we're in the Valley!!! Let's go to Zerelda's!!!!" And then there was always a "wuh-wah" moment. They're open, like all the time now! So what are you waiting for? Go...

This is my first ever negative review, but I really wish I had known what I am sharing now ahead of time. I placed two separate pick up orders a day ahead of time for some work lunches I was hosting. I was given the totals over the phone, but there was no mention of a mandatory 18% gratuity on take out orders. When I arrived for the first order, I paid and tipped $15, which I think is generous given that it is not customary to tip on to-go orders. Immediately after, the cashier’s tone changed and she was cold and rude. When I returned a couple hours later for a second to go order, there was an 18% gratuity automatically included. When I asked why the tip automated, she said “I forgot to add it to the last order, but we charge gratuity for all take out orders over $100.” This just doesn’t sit right with me. No one was waiting on me, I placed the orders well in advance, and I even tipped on the first take out order (and was planning to do so on the second, but certainly not 18% for take out!).

The food is delicious, but I won’t be returning to give Zerelda’s any more business. Mandatory tipping is a bit ridiculous given that the nature of tipping is based on the level of service for dine in guests,...