Zola + BarZola — Restaurant in Palo Alto

Sept '23 A very different recent experience makes me completely change how I feel about this restaurant. Previously considered a family favorite, the place disappointed in food, in service and in ambiance. We came for a BD celebration and were pleasantly surprised by the greeting card and pin, lovely touch! Also the beautiful cocktails and delightful pretzel and bread.

Following our waiter's recommendation, I ordered the halibut: the fish was ok, but either because of the cappers or how it was seasoned, it was quite salty, needed to use bread to offset the saltines. The green beans it came with were almost completely raw, not even undercooked, as if they forgot to boil them even for a minute. Then the service: after taking our dinner orders, our waiter disappeared and for more than an hour no one checked on us to offer wine, desert or the check. Waiters from the neighboring tables eventually made eye contact and asked someone to stop by - we ordered desserts with the new waitress and when I told her we are here for a special celebration, she did not seem to know it from our reservation notes. One of the appetizers we ordered was a plate of olives, wonderfully warmed by the olive oil - they came with a little bucket for pits and... with two pits among all the whole olives, which in the context of the experience, made me wonder if these could be a left over from another guest? The restroom was at its last toilet seat cover, no candles, kind of neglected and the entire mood of the staff was disengaged. All this is happening around 9 pm and at a weeknight, not at closing time or when the restaurant is full. So sad to see beloved Zola as this.

August '22 Lovely vibe with a classy interior and great service. Local farm-fresh tomatoes and oh, the mushrooms in the gnocchi were so tasty, it changed my perception for the gnocchi as a boring dish. Great variety of cocktails. My only recommendation for the Old fashioned is to use a better size proportion between the glass and ice cube: a cube too large for the glass takes away from the experience and enjoyment of the cocktail. Citrus candies at the door. Richly fragrant candle in the bathroom to complete the stylish color scheme of the deep green tiles and playful concrete...

Ideally, 3.5/5

Zola + BarZola boasts a charming atmosphere and impressive menu, but be prepared to settle in for the long haul. While the wait was longer than ideal, the food itself was largely satisfying. The restaurant was busy on a weekday when we got there, so we were seated outside. Thankfully, they had heaters to keep us warm while we dined.

Food: The cote de porc (pork chop) with porcini rub, pommes puree, and caramelized onions was delicious. The pork was perfectly cooked, juicy on the inside, and with a satisfyingly crisp exterior. The mashed potatoes (pommes puree) were very creamy and had a smooth, velvety texture. It complimented the pork chop really well. The hanger steak was tender and flavorful, seasoned well, and cooked to a perfect medium-rare. The beef cheek bourguignon was Slow-cooked to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, but the sauce didn't quite hit the spot. Overall, this dish was okay.

Ambiance: The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The dimmed lighting and comfortable seating created a perfect setting for a relaxed evening.

Service: The slow service significantly impacted the experience. Our wait time between drinks and our main course was quite long, which unfortunately detracted from the overall flow of the meal.

Overall, Zola + BarZola offers delicious food and a lovely atmosphere. If you're looking for a leisurely luxurious dining experience and don't mind waiting a bit between courses, then Zola + BarZola could be a good option. However, if you're short on time or prioritize fast service, you might want to consider...

Early dinner, Friday evening. Open Table reservation was on the books, and we were greeted with smiles. Started with Kir Royal and salmon rillettes with toast, both delicious. And it was pleasant to see a bread basket with a slices of a perfect French baguette and an olive butter.

Other reviewers complain about noise, but we were not bothered and we noticed the, apparently new, sound-baffling tiles on the ceiling. Even as the place began to fill, we could hear one another without raising our voices.

The wide selection of vegetable dishes is imaginative and tasty. The chef loves herbs and is unafraid to add enough of them to make each dish distinctive. Try the roasted button mushrooms.

I thought Julia Child had so oversold tarragon that we'd never see it again, but the flounder with artichoke hearts, capers and tarragon was outstanding and perfectly cooked.

Decor is, as advertised, cool. Service was unobtrusive and thoughtful; it's been awhile since I've seen a waiter clean breadcrumbs from the table between courses. Nice touch.

Zola is not perfect, but is better than its current 4.2 stars, so I'm giving it five to push the average in the right direction.

I do think that two dollar signs generally suggests a restaurant less costly than $120 for two with a single drink and no wine. So it does not qualify as a bargain, but you...