ZiZi — Restaurant in New York

On the day of Pride, I stood in unwavering solidarity with the LGBTQ community, rejoicing in their accomplishments and embracing the spirit of unity. However, this moment of pride was cruelly shattered when my colleagues from IATSE, adorned in their union paraphernalia, accompanied me to Zizi restaurant. The manager's behavior towards both my black and white colleagues was undeniably rude, but it was her treatment of my black colleague that escalated to a deeply unsettling level, carrying an insidious racial undertone.

The manager's discriminatory actions towards my black colleague, intertwined with her non-verbal cues of disdainful squints and tightened lips, unveiled a distressing reality of systemic racism. This disturbing behavior stands as a stark reminder that despite our progress, prejudice and inequality persist in our society. The discrimination experienced by my black colleague at Zizi restaurant is an affront to the very principles we stand for as a united community.

In response to this injustice, we draw strength from the resilience and fortitude of those who have come before us. The legacies of trailblazers like Garvey, Malcolm X, Marley, and Chisholm fuel our determination to "get up, stand up for our rights." It is with this newfound courage that we make a collective decision to boycott Zizi restaurant, for true solidarity extends beyond mere words—it demands action.

If we truly champion freedom and equality for all, it is imperative that we withhold our support from establishments that perpetuate discrimination. By redirecting our hard-earned dollars to places where inclusivity, appreciation, and respect thrive, we send a powerful message to those who seek to divide us. Let us march forward on the path of progress, unwavering in our commitment to building a society that treats every individual with fairness, dignity, and unwavering respect.

We must confront the underlying truth that both my black and white colleagues were subjected to disrespect at Zizi restaurant. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the level of mistreatment aimed at my black colleague carried an insidious racial undertone. The manager's actions revealed unjust assumptions about her background, financial status, and desirability—a clear manifestation of the deep-rooted racism that continues to plague our society.

This incident serves as a powerful reminder that discrimination persists, undermining the achievements of black individuals and hindering our collective progress. It is our duty to challenge these oppressive systems, working tirelessly to dismantle them and demand justice for all. Together, we reject establishments that condone or perpetuate discrimination, vowing to support spaces where inclusivity thrives and where the worth of every individual is recognized and cherished.

Our outrage transforms into the strength needed to forge lasting change. Let us continue our unwavering pursuit of a future where every person, regardless of their identity, is granted equal opportunities, rights, and the respect they deserve. Through our actions and unified stand, we pave the way for a society built on true equality...

ZiZi was such a great surprise. Was looking for something different, decided on this place based on the reviews.

The 6 Z’s is a must. We had the Falafel, the Cauliflower, Hummus, the Crazy Baba, Pickled Labneh, and the Rainbow Moroccan Carrots. These were fantastic, served with the fluffiest pita bread I’ve ever had. Word to the “mild spice” crew, the carrots and the labneh pack a punch. I love spice and heat and that surprised the heck out of me. Still, very delicious.

Next we had the Burrata, an exquisite experience. The play between the sweet and savory on our taste buds was a nice touch. Can’t go wrong.

The Mediterranean Ceviche was light, nice touch of citrus, almost a palate cleanse. The dish itself was good, but the sauce was amazing. I wanted to drizzle that on all the pita bread. If anything, the sauce outshone the dish.

Striped Bass was cooked to perfection. The skin was crispy with a nice touch of salt. The Lima bean salad was quite nice and delicate. The kohlrabi was cooked well, soft and savory.

The Skirt Steak and fingerling potatoes was a solid choice. Was cooked well, medium rare, soft and easy to chew, not at all tough. Seasoned well enough, although another pinch of sea salt would have set it over the top I figure.

Now the Oyster Mushroom Skewer was the show stopper. Delicate, seasoned well, great mouthfeel. Can’t say enough about it, you just have to experience it.

Would come again and again.

Also, the drinks are hard and strong, be mindful of that and the the staff was very knowledgeable, attentive,...

I was so impressed from the moment I stepped foot into this gem of a cafe for brunch.

We were greeted by a waiter, Chris, who was so fabulous and entertaining it made ordering food an absolute pleasure.

We ordered 4 of the $13 pri fix plates. So each person gets a starter consisting of Cauliflower Tahini, Crazy Baba and Green Quinoa Salad. Absolute deliciousness. A great appetizer while waiting for the entrees.

Then we got the Shakshuka, Mediterranean Breakfast, French Toast and Eggs Armada, in order of Best to least best. And of course unlimited mimosas for $10 a person. (A bargain)

The shakshuka had an interesting twist to it as they topped it with harissa. It gave the dish the perfect balance of spicy, savory and foodgasmic. The Mediterranean breakfast is very filling for one person. I loved the french toast a lot but I feel like maybe there could have been something a little sweeter added to it. It was perfect in the savory department and the shaved halva on top is phenomenal. An absolute must get if you order brunch there. The Eggs armada had delicious hash browns on the bottom. The crostini was perfect, crispy and fresh, topped with smoked salmon and poached tomatoes. I think the sauce they put under the smoked salmon doesn't work for the dish so maybe if they changed that it would be a great dish.

Service gets a definite 5*. I wish there were more people like Chris in the restaurant department.

Overall -- I would definitely be dining again at...