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ZZA's Enoteca
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Wed-Thu 5 pm - 11 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 12 am
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
133 reviews for ZZA's Enoteca
Review Highlights
"The staff is great especially Chris and August."
(in 21 reviews)
"They also have a great happy hour that lasts until 7pm."
(in 16 reviews)
"The warm chocolate cake is outrageous, sooo good."
(in 3 reviews)
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133 reviews in English
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Review from kate w.
11/18/2011
i love this place a lot. i think i've been there 3 times? the owner or manager (?) is SO helpful. he listened to me talk about the wines i like and recommended some things, which he let me try, free of charge, to try to find the exact wine i'd be interested in. we even had a cigarette with him outside and chatted a bit. the food and wine is very very good and the service is spectacular. great ambiance too and a clean bathroom, which is essential.
i really need to visit again, it's been too long! -
Review from Andrew C.
We had a Living Social deal for a 3 course meal with wine pairing.
They start you off with bread and some delicious oil infused with some herbs and a splash of balsamic (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
For apps I had the Lamb Spiedini (marinated lamb skewers with yogurt- mint sauce, $10 http://www.yelp.com/bi...) which was paired with a Barbera. Delicous medium rare chunks of lamb. Sauce not minty at all, but still good.
The g/f had the Cozze (PEI mussels, tomato, white wine, garlic toast, $9 http://www.yelp.com/bi...) which was paired with a Sauv Blanc. Perfectly cooked mussels with a lightly tomato-y broth. The wine was crisp and a good pairing making me reconsider my pox on white wines.
My main was Veal scallopini (mushroom-marsala sauce, garlic mashed potatoes, $16 http://www.yelp.com/bi...) paired with Zweigelt, an Austrian red. Nice sauce, the meat had a few gristly spots.
The g/f's main was the Salmon special which had a sun-dried tomato cream sauce (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) paired with Ventana pinot noir. The fish was very rare. The dish, while satisfying, was very heavy with the cream sauce.
They were out of creme brule so switched to Warm Chocolate Cake (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) This cake was sooo good. Moist and decadent. I'm not usually an a la mode guy, but the ice cream was excellent as well.
Tiramisu (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) with Muscato d'asti carbonated. Pretty soggy sponge cake instead of the traditional ladyfingers. Wasn't a fan, especially when tasted side by side with the chocolate cake.
Service was very good answering our questions and unobtrusively checking in during the meal. The bartender, Chris, did an excellent job with the wine pairings. -
Review from Mikayla M.
Oakland, CA
11/27/2011
4 stars for AMMAAZZZIING service. Came in late one night, dude behind the bar was super cool guarenteed up they were still serving dinner. Hooked us up with some of there awesome wine selection. The pasta was good, lil bit on the oily side but the flavor was def there. This place is a little dark, i love the ambiance the crowd seemed a little young/trendy. Def some place I cant wait to check out again.
Oh yea, and you must try there creme brulee' and tirimisu! Mmmmm yumm! -
Review from Jay S.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
I do a simple rating scale for my food reviews (1 through 5, with 5 being extraordinary).
Food: (Based on drinks) 3
Service: 2
Ambiance: 3
Wait Time: I did not have to wait. Note limited number of tables
Price: 2
Overall: 2
Additional Comments: First-time at this wine bar. Arrived around 10:30pm on Friday and by 11:30pm, was told time to pay our check cause it was closing time. Modern decor but probably won't be back due to the feeling of being unwelcomed. -
Review from Naomi Z.
Oakland, CA
1/28/2012
I'm going to keep it simple with this one. I like this place and love that its right in the neighborhood. I'll quickly be a regular..be nice if there were more attractive single men wandering the halls..just saying.
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Review from Kathy H.
Oakland, CA
11/14/2011
Came here tonight after waiting forever at Plum. Despite a full house we were warmly greeted, and received quick service. We were greeted like regulars. Our food was quickly delivered, and the manager made recommendations and provided background on our wine selections. He was working solo, yet seemed to be everywhere at once. He rescued what started out as a bum evening. Thank you ZZA's Enoteca. Why do I go anywhere else?
(note to Tim B: I agree about Sidebar. It's cool and all, but it's smoky and expensive. ZZA's- way friendlier to both me and my wallet) -
Review from sally k.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 1/26/2012
Had dinner at Zza's last night... delicious capellini picante... perfect! Sat outside w/ my dog!!! Lake was sparkling...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/3/2011
Zza's has finally brought back the spaghettini w/ pork sugo. Very delicious. This dish was off the… Read more »
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Review from Jeanette E.
Oakland, CA
9/5/2011
What can I say? Got married here Saturday! The food was wonderful. Our guests loved everything, great wine suggestions by Chris and Regina provided lovely touches. We didn't have to do a thing!
We highly recommend Sorella di Zza's for dinner, wine and private events! They're wonderful! -
Review from george l.
Oakland, CA
12/12/2011
I must have gone to a totally different restaurant than everyone else....ZZa's , right?!
I didn't take to the "ambiance" that well...Old dirty concrete floors? I ordered the Bruscetta and got toast with stewed tomatoes on top...I think that's when I left.
And the chefs did not look that Italian.
Maybe I should give it another shot according to all of the rave reviews...wish I could talk face to face with the people who gave it 5 stars... -
Review from Bob B.
Alameda, CA
1/15/2012
This is a great neighborhood happy hour. Love the food,drinks, and Wine Director Chris. Beautiful bar right off of lk merritt. Good Italian food too.
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Review from Ashley F.
Oakland, CA
5/22/2011
ZZA's reminded me of a diner that is pretending to be an enoteca. They are a little rough around the edges. Before you rip me to shreds, let me explain why:
Pros
-Solid wine list, nothing too surprising
-Fresh ingredients
-Variety of pizzas and pastas
Cons
-Service needs some polishing
-How can an Italian "enoteca" be out of the only Italian beer they serve? (Moretti) and suggest PBR instead...yeah, ok. You almost fooled me.
-Could have made my pasta dish at home for less than $5 instead of paying $13.
Overall, a solid go-to but honestly a little overpriced for the ambiance and selection. -
Review from Pam S.
4/3/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Now that I've turned Thir...I mean 25, I have to admit that wine gives me a headache. And my hangovers are no longer a couple-hour affairs, they now turn into an all-day, not-enough-naps-or-water-in-the-world events.
But being the high-class, cosmopolitan young lady that I am, I still partake in the fruit of the vine/Jesus' blood (and who said my lapsed Catholicism wouldn't come in handy)?
Needless to say, I've been here on a couple of occasions...with my friend Matt R. This seems to be the central meeting point for us, whether it be a starting off point (it never is) or a place to sit out, shoot the breeze, and partake.
Partake we do. How can you not when the staff will recommend something to your liking? A couple of adjectives (white or red, fruity or dry) and voila! You have a gorgeous full glass in front of you.
And then there's the food. I wanted polenta with meat sauce. They had both...separate...but made it for me. Special! I'm actually special! And not even in a short yellow bus kind of way.
Long story short, I just need to keep myself hydrated and come here more often. Maybe for my 26th birthday, perhaps? -
Review from Stacey W.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 11/11/2011
A long overdue update.Wine list is excellent. Food is solid. Best is the staff: Super knowledgeable and happy to assist the undecided, friendly and patient and always seem to remember you, even if a couple months go by. One of my favorite neighborhood haunts and an excellent place to take guests visiting Oakland.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/19/2007 First to Review
This new wine bar next to Zza's Trattoria is a terrific spin offering a more adult setting with an… Read more »
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Review from Adam E.
Oakland, CA
8/22/2011
ZZA's...Z-zah's...ZzZzzAaaahzzz....has a quirky and often mispronounced name, in fact I'm still not quite certain I am identifying it correctly after several visits. Name aside, I find it to be a great place to share a bottle of wine and a pizza. The staff and bartender are very friendly, efficient, and most informative in regard to the bottles they have to offer, though not in the uppity California wine aficionado manner. It seems as though they really enjoy working there and aren't just putting on a face. Perhaps they are enjoying the wine themselves, which is what I would expect of anyone who is trying to sell me on a bottle. The pizza is simple, but well executed and delightful, though I've not tried much else. I prefer to spend what little money I have on good wine as opposed to good food, for I cannot craft wine at home as easily as I can whip up some Italian food.
The place has a good, old way about it...sitting by the window and watching the lake shimmer and glow, evening breeze blowing in, catching a whiff of a passerby's cigarette and thinking back to early drinking and smoking days by the water, laughter here and there from a bachelorette party table, drawing on the tablecloth, and then ambling home warm-bellied and satisfied... -
Review from Linda L.
Alameda, CA
Updated - 7/9/2011
This is our 3rd time and will tell the world that this is our new favorite restaurant (sorry other guys) both on earth and outerspace. The food was both beautiful and delicious. The staff is extraordinary and go out of their way to explain the wines and their origins and what to expect on the palate and melds with your dish.
The owner even came over to speak with us. Probably because I wouldn't put my fork down. So sue me!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/28/2011
WOW!!! Everything's good? How is that possible? Well, it was and then some!!!! Our server Diego… Read more »
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Review from Jen D.
Oakland, CA
5/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
The food is good, the spaghettini and the Pollo Mattone are my favorites. Very good wine list with a reasonable markup (you can probably afford to take a bottle home with you). The service can be a bit sketchy when Christopher is not waiting on you. The man is good, and so is his wine. I always find something yummy - heck, I even found some Argentinian reds that I liked, and I normally don't like them at all!
Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Ann M.
Pacifica, CA
6/19/2011
First time just to try the wine bar. Quiet little spot, couples in love at the small tables and friends at the bar.
Diego is a jewel, offering great suggestions based upon what you like, keep an eye out for us to make sure we are enjoying our sampling. Ask for him, he is excellent.
I like the European feel of being in no hurry, the San Francisco decor, and the totally Oakland mix of people.
Some local beer selections along with previously mentioned Moretti. Yes, PBR for the hipsters. Keep in mind that the real point here is wine, if you want 50 beers, go elsewhere in town.
I will be back to dine and try out a pizza. -
Review from Laurie Y.
Oakland, CA
10/15/2011
Ah Zzas, I love you.
Your lake-front location; the fabulous service; large selection of yummy well-priced wines; and nomnomnomy bites. Not to mention the local artists' shows and fun events (OYSTER MADNESS is my favorite).
I feel at home every time I walk through the front door. You're my go-to place, and I will be going to you this afternoon.
XO -
Review from heather o.
Oakland, CA
5/24/2011
Thin crust, decent pastas and salad. Staff casual and jokey.
Great time on the patio with our pup. It was a little misty outside and the awning doesn't cover the whole table, but they still served us. Awesome.
The patio only has a couple tables, so it might be hard to get one, but if you do you also get a view of lake and park. People are walking the sidewalks and it's quaint.
If you sit inside and ask (or clap?) they will turn on the vintage neon lights I hear. -
Review from Frank T.
Oakland, CA
9/4/2011
I cannot believe how good this place is.
We were sheepish since we used a Living Social coupon. My wife and I were astounded how good the food, the wine and the service was.
We had the 3 course with wine pairing offer. We had our choice of appetizer, entree and desert each with their own wine pairing. So we had 6 glasses of fabulous wines none of which I ever heard of before having them there.
We had the Caesar's and the lamb Spiedini. The Caesars was a healthy serving and we had three lamb skewers with a mint yogurt dipping sauce. The lamb was perfectly seasoned and grilled. They were full of flavor. The wine pairings were right on. The waiter explained each pairing that favored Italian wines that you can only get there. We'd go back just for the wine.
We had the gluten free spaghetti with pulled pork ragu. The pasta was perfect the ragu flavor was to die for. We also had the short ribs with mashed potatoes and a wonderful tomato and wine sauce. The portion had to be 10+ oz. The meat was tender and the connective tissue melted in your mouth. We brought more than half home which tasted just as good the next day.
For desert we had the creme brulee and the artisan ice cream. The quality was equally wonderful.
We'll definitely be back without a coupon. -
Review from Royce L.
Oakland, CA
8/13/2011
Good wine but food needs finesse. Seems homemade. Salad was waaaay too oily.
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Review from anjou k.
Oakland, CA
9/28/2010
Friends had Central Perk.
The L Word ladies had The Planet.
We have Zza's.
This is where we come to catch up on the latest gossip, have an introspective glass of wine alone, get our dates assessed by Chris, or celebrate anything we can think of. The descriptions on the wine list are accurate and fun to read, and the super stellar servers are always there to let you taste something new. They also have a pretty solid menu to go along with all that wine.
Zza's is casual enough and fabulous enough for any occasion. -
Review from Shalyn P.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2011
It is the mission of my partner and I to become "regulars" at this place. Cheers-style. We walk in, everyone says hi, maybe we get a hug, and then we spend hours pouring over the wine list and trying everything "new." It hasn't happened yet, but this is definitely the sort of place where you BELIEVE that is possible. They're just so friendly!
Dinner? Yes. Appetizers? Yes. Dessert? Big, fat home-made Yes! The chocolate cake + your favorite hearty red = you rolling on the floor later for eating too much, but still worth it.
This place is best for groups of 2-4, but I've brought in a group of 6 and it went off without a hitch. Bring your wine-tentative friends - the manager will walk them through the list and even select a wine that works for everyone at the table, from snobs to boxed-wine afficianados. And he's not pretentious, so don't be shy!
The food is a bit pricey because it can occasionally be a little 'eh' and the portions are petite. But that hasn't stopped our broke asses from spending many-a-night eating there. The bruschetta is fantastic; lamb skewers are hard to mess up; and really, the pizza is excellent. I recommend the Arugula pizza - it has an egg in the center and bacon bits all around. Local hipsters take note: you don't need to pay Boot and Shoe Service prices for good pizza in Grand Lake. Just go to Zza's.
Bring a date, meet your coworker for happy hour or just chill in a corner by yourself - this is a great spot that the neighborhood is lucky to have! -
Review from Jason l.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just ask Chris. He knows what you want. I had the spaghettini, pretty good. Fungi pizza with gorgonzola, very nice. Lamb skewers were a bit dry but tasty. Chris the wine guru brought me several reds but I settled on the les jamelles Pinot. Super basic but pleasing drinking red....
All in all, great experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/22/2009
Okay, Nate D, settle down now. This website is about the actual business, not their website. Don't… Read more »
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Review from Molly G.
Oakland, CA
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really? I haven't reviewed this spot yet? Geez! I've been coming here for years!
Standout experience here; my 23rd birthday with 10 of my best friends. Chris served us, and I think he's in charge now!
They offer small plates, pasta, pizza, kind of stuff, that changes fairly often. The wine list is pretty hefty and there are usually a few things that they have that are not on the list. Just listen to what the staff recommends and you can't go wrong.
This place is super fun, super casual, and just plain easy like sunday morning. I dare you to try not to love it! Tiny little patio that overlooks the lake, awesome decor, sexy lighting, and like a block from my house! Loves it. -
Review from vee v.
San Francisco, CA
3/1/2011
had dinner at the Grand Tavern and made our way to Enoteca. Such a romantic little place...with a date or bunch of friends.
I absolutely luv their wine list...great entertaining names for all their wine! The waiter gave us lots of samples to try. Must go back for their small plates soon! -
Review from tim b.
Oakland, CA
6/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Chris, and Diego.
You are the shit and your place is too.
I must admit that every time I have some cash lying around, which isn't often enough these days, I come her for a glass of wine and the mussels. People hype sidebar for all its amazing this and that but you don't get a palette master who after two visits knows which wine you will like. Plus you don't get generous pours to taste, genuine/joyous service, and a reasonable check at the end either. In the end I will always come here for no crowds and the atmosphere. There isn't an air of wine snobbery at all, there is even swearing on the wine list. ZZZA's is hella Oakland and I love it. They have had some unlucky yelp reviews and I actually got buzzed enough to ask: apparently waiter's ex started creating yelp accounts just to bash the place. Awkward. I told him my stamp of approval was pending. It was already there a long time ago with those thin crust pizzas and mussels. I don't know why you would eat anything else there except maybe bruschetta.
Grab someone you care about on a warm night, stroll on lake merrit as the sun starts to set and lights come on, and go to happy hour to sample which wine will fit you perfectly at that moment: then toast yourselves because that moment will probably feel perfect. -
Review from SC ..
Oakland, CA
11/18/2010
We've been coming to Zza's for a few years now. It always fits the bill when we want a nice, comforting meal paired with good wines and good company.
The wine director Chris is an amazing guy. He's straight up a fanatic about wine. Ask him any question you've ever wanted to know and he'll give you a complete lesson, peppered with personal stories that will have you rolling with laughter and intrigue. His wine list is always changing and he often pulls out bottles that "I just got a good deal on this stuff and it hasn't made it onto the list yet" which he shares with enthusiasm. Honestly I'm not much of a wine guy, but on those rare occasions I want some good glasses and to learn about a new style, this is my go to spot.
As for the food, I can't not order the Margherita pizza. Sure just about every hip new restaurant in the Bay Area has a wood fired oven and cranks out thin crust pizza's, and I'm not going to say who's is better, because frankly they're all just about the same, and damn good at that. For a while they had a brick chicken that is always perfect as well. They recently hired a new chef and are re-working the menu, but I'm hoping the chicken comes back.
If you show up early you can usually snag the big table in the center for a group of people, otherwise the bar is great for couples (plus Chris). -
Review from C L.
Oakland, CA
10/6/2010
So I wasn't sure which one to review since we went on a Tuesday night for dinner and only this side of ZZAs was open so we went in.
The interior is nice and it smelled wonderful inside. The service was a tad slow sometimes but friendly.
The bread they brought to the table was really good and thus dangerous because ugh, carb overload. Still, I ate my way through half of it. Good thing I went to turbo kickboxing right before.
For our main courses, my partner got the chicken salad and I got a combination calzone (sausage, pepperoni, mushroom, basil).
I stole some of the salad and it was delicious! It had tons of chicken and really yummy roasted bell peppers with a great crunch of walnuts.
My calzone was also SUPER good and pretty big! Really great spices, warm, and comforting. The bread was nice and soft. It was probably 1000+ calories but considering the taste, it was worth it.
I'd definitely come back. I'm wondering what their brunch is like... -
Review from Cat P.
San Jose, CA
8/8/2011
I love ZZA's! The food and ambiance is spectacular, not to mention the fabulous and friendly staff. There is always a fantastic menu to accompany the wines! Regina, the owner is so warm and welcoming. I hardly ever visit East Bay, but will definitely make a trip out there just for ZZA's!.
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Review from Justin N.
3/27/2010
Sitting by ol' Lake Merritt, watching birds, sipping wine. Ahhhhh good times.
I like the size and feel of ZZA's. Intimate like a wine bar should be, attentive servers. The chairs are comfortable in the way that makes you always lean towards ordering one more glass versus heading for the door.
The location is perfect, right up the block from the Grand Theater and beautifully placed right across from the lake. If I must spell it out for you I'm saying ZZA's is a good spot to head to before or after a flick with that certain someone.
I'm no wine snob but I know good from bad, and this place has a nice selection at fair prices.
Ambiance is mellow and dim, like a wine bar should be yes? Plus you know Oakland, always a chance for some unique people rolling by the front door for some added excitement. If I must spell that out too I really mean crack heads causing trouble, but meh, what can you do.
All in all if I'm anywhere near downtown Oakland and someone wants to relax and grab some nice wine, without fail I pick ZZA's. -
Review from S A.
Walnut Creek, CA
7/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend and I went here the other night for dinner. The ambiance was very relaxing and intimate, however the service was fabulous. Chris was awesome and paired our wine with the dishes we ordered. The wine he picked out was perfect with our food and really enhanced everything. Even the dessert wine was delicious and made my creme brulee taste amazing! We will definitely be going back soon!
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Review from Jay B.
Castro Valley, CA
11/7/2011
Great food. It has changed a lot since the last time we were there 10 years ago.
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Review from Cynthia B.
Oakland, CA
6/10/2010
If you're supposed to be a wine bar, shouldn't you have more than 10% of the wines on your list available? The waiter provided us with the wine list and said that it needed to be updated because they were out of 90% of what was on the list. Not a good first impression!
Service was so-so and it wasn't a busy night. Food is better at the Zza's restaurant next door. -
Review from Matt R.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 5/9/2010 18 Check-ins Here
Quality begets quality. There is a battle for king of the Lakefront. The success of Sidebar has forced Zza's Enoteca to step up and bring the A-game. They are a formidable competitor. And they have WiFi.
I've had some good times here, although perhaps not enough of them. The wine selection, wine advice, and wine service have always been great, thanks to guys like Chris who know and love wine. But now the food has really gone to the next level, challenging Sidebar for the best casual-upscale dinner along the sunset-illuminated shores of Lake Merritt.
Salads are substantial and fresh. Pickled vegetables are still a must-have snack. The seafood dishes have evolved. Mussels, in a mild and subtle tomato-based sauce, directly challenge the excellent shellfish next door, bringing a different set of flavors but the same quality. A creamy, bacon-saturated shrimp plate controls all the rich ingredients and makes a "small plate" into a big flavor bomb, one that requires extra bread for cleanup. Meat dishes are solid, and the menu also overlaps with the red-sauce, comfort-food scene next door if you want traditional spaghetti. Lakeshore, you have been served.
But the strength is still the excellent and diverse wine. It's all the wines that you don't get elsewhere, and they are served by people who know them well. Tell the server your mood, your desire, your fears, and you'll get a selection of wine that feeds your sensory needs. Don't be afraid to talk about sweet and bitter, spicy or sweet, wood or leather, manure or cowboy ass... whatever, expert staff like Chris will match each customer with a fermented spirit guide, suggesting the unusual bottles that can change the way you look at wine (or, for the already enlightened, take you in new and unexpected directions).
More reasons to not leave this neighborhood.Listed in: My Neighborhood, It's Not Cal-Ital, Pizza
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/30/2008
Wow, the 'hood has come a long way.
My last visit to Zza's was probably in 2003 or so, and I remember… Read more »
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Review from Devon F.
11/18/2007
Classy, not trashy.
I absolutely adore Zza's Trattoria and was thoroughly thrilled when they announced the opening of an accompanying wine bar a few months ago. I finally had an opportunity to scope it out on Friday, and I was not let down.
The tasteful decor of the restaurant is mirrored in the enoteca - it's warm and inviting. We came in at about 10:40 and were informed that food isn't served past 11 and that they closed up shop at midnight. And yet - they were more than happy to serve us our wine and cheese plates.
SO GOOD!
We each got the Greek wine flight - for $15, we received tastings of a chardonnay, Cabernet, and a muscat. I'm not a wine snob, so I can't really critique the nuances or anything, but we were both pleased with our servings.
We also ordered the cheese plate - for $15, we were served a goat's milk cheese with black truffles, a sheep's milk cheese, and then my personal favorite: California blue cheese topped with jasmine honey. SO. DAMN. GOOD.
I recently started a thread topic asking about favorite wine and cheese locales in the city - silly me! I don't need to spend the $4 bridge toll and gas money to drive out to San Francisco- now I know I've got an excellent option within walking distance.Listed in: La-La-La-Lake Merritt
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Review from Cara Y.
Oakland, CA
12/27/2008
I have to admit, I have lived just up the street from Zza's for almost 5 years, and never really cared if I found myself there or not until our good friends had their engagement/see-you-later-suckers-we're-moving-to-S eattle soiree hosted by the enoteca.
The main restaurant has always struck me as a loud, boisterous place where Michigan J. Frog might suddenly just handspring out of nowhere onto your table and start singing "Hello Ma Baby, Hello Ma Darling, Hello Ma Ragtime Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!" Plus, my sensitivity to gluten puts me at a serious disadvantage when eating Italian. However, the enoteca is a complete 180. Swanky and reserved, it seems like a nice place to relax and sip a glass from their comprehensive wine list while enjoying a cheese plate or a thin crust pizza.
They did an absolutely lovely job of hosting our friend's party, even busting out the "Wine Away" stain remover after an accidental jostle left a guest wearing some of his lovely Spanish red. The primary bar host, Chris, went above and beyond to make sure that guests were enjoying themselves, and never seemed frazzled - even at the peak of the party when there were close to 50 attendees. When I mentioned that I was looking for a bottle of something "jammy," he spent several minutes going through the wine list making suggestions; and when we narrowed it down to two options, he actually opened a bottle of $60 wine for me "to taste," just to make sure I liked it before I plunked down my cash. THAT is service, my friends.
It seems that Zza's entoteca is a welcome addition to the Adams Point neighborhood of Oakland - I hope it continues to thrive. But for the sake of jeebus, can someone please tell me how to pronounce the name of this place? -
Review from Gracie B.
Newark, NJ
5/13/2008
Edit - 5/13/08:
I wanted to love Zza's Enoteca, and I was kinda on the fence about it when it first opened. I've been there often enough now (probably about 10 times), to say that first impressions say little - cause I love it now.
The only food that I've tried since the pear cake is pizza - The Prociutto with Gorgonzola, Deletano and Pancetta and Prawn are all SO good. I've had several different wines, and while they've removed my favorite, all that I've sampled have been wonderful. Plus the descriptions are so great - while it's still on the list, make sure to check out the description of the First Kiss Barolo...and the wine is as good as it sounds.
The service is VERY great. Everyone is super nice and attentive. Special points to Katie and August.
Finally - if I didn't already completely love this place, it was a participant in Dining Out for Life. I spent the evening going between the Enoteca and Trattoria - everyone was SO nice and helpful about me being a greeter and was on board with the event.
Original review:
I want to love Zza's enoteca cause I love Zza's trattoria. But it wasn't immediate love the way it was with the trattoria.
Met Ralph C here last night. I was running on Gracie time (15-21 minutes late), and he'd already ordered a pizza. The wine list was still at the table, so I ordered a glass. But bizarrely, they never brought a food menu. i wasn't hungry, and would have asked, but no one offered. The wine was nice - Tamor Pinot Noir. I appreciated the descriptions which are missing at Franklin Square and Vine, but I didn't understand the organization of the book. I did order dessert - warm pear cake...meh. The "fortified caramel" made it a sticky, gooey mess.
It does achieve a nice, laidback vibe. The staff was friendly and later, we were joined by a rowdy group of musicians (think the cafe scene in Rent when they sing La Vie Boheme). It was fun. A nice place to be on a rainy Saturday night. -
Review from Clifford L.
Los Angeles, CA
11/11/2007
We came here with a group of 5 for happy hour and was pleasantly enjoying our wines and awaiting the 'complimentary appetizers'. Our group was getting hungry, so we were about to order one of their pizzas when our friendly waitress mentioned that that very same pizza would be coming out in matter of minutes, for FREE! We waited and waited and it seemed like they were rolling out these small pizzas every 20 minutes... Then, the second half of our group arrived (4 people) and they ordered their drinks, we ordered some appetizers and were seemingly having a great time....
Then, it happened. While we were finishing our drinks, our friend goes over to the bar to grab a couple more pieces of pizza, and I kid you not, another waitress tells him to stop 'hogging the pizza' so that other patrons can get some. Our party spent close to $200 on drinks and appetizers and the waitress tells us to stop 'hogging' the COMPLIMENTARY pizza!??!?!!? WTF?!?!?!?
In addition to that service debacle, they also put the mandatory tip on both of our tabs! But that's just a side note to the comment.
Luckily for them, they had an extremely sympathetic and professional manager and she gave us several gift certificates. Unfortunately, it is really difficult for me to come back to an establishment where they treat their patrons in this manner...
Just FYI, each person in our group had 1-2 small pieces of pizza! If you don't really want to give out COMPLIMENTARY pizzas, then don't advertise it on your outdoor sign!!!
I gave them 4 stars for the wines, appetizers and ambiance, a 3 star deduction for the 'hoggin' attitude and a 1 star bonus for their manager. -
Review from Jessica P.
Emeryville, CA
9/20/2007 1 Check-in Here
I'm more of a wineaux these days than anything else. I've studied this place from afar and always wanted to check it out. It's perfect for a weeknight, after work, after a frolic in the "friscalating dusk light "near the lake and to enjoy some wonderful glasses of wine.
The host was gracious and knowledgeable, a ladies man per se, but also attentive to my man and his needs as well.
I had a magnificent Austrailian pinot noir after a ride in a Cadillac Bordeaux from France. The devil inside wanted more, but I had to stop myself. Zza has a very extensive and diverse wine list, cute dining area next door and welcoming decor, as well as flattering lighting. Then again, everything looks and feels like sweet sex with a glass stem in your hand and some liquid velvet on your tongue.
I can't wait to go back and indulge some more.
