Zarzuela

10/26/09

WOW!

by Sheauen at Citysearch

I first visted zarzuela with some friends who are local to SF. I went up to visit and was treated to a great tapas experience. the sangria was so good and every plate we ordered was so full of flavor and adverturous.

I don't usually like the dark crowded tapas bars but this place had a lot of character. it could've easily been a cold, dark, restaurant but it was so bustling and full of people enjoying the food that it really turned the atmosphere into something cozy.

It was a memorable experience and the best tapas I've ever had.

• Pros: great selection, ambience
• Cons: cramped quarters, long wait

12/12/08

Tapas You'll Never Forget

by HPutts at Citysearch

Having passed Zarzuela on the Hyde St. Cable Car for the past two years, it was finally time to heed the raves from locals on the Cable Car. We met our friends from Portola Valley to plan a trip to Italy. Arriving early in the dinner hour we had no trouble being seated. The service was very helpful since we had never eaten at a tapa resturant before. The selection was numerous and covering a range of tastes, so if octpus or snails are not for you, there are many other choices, including cold, hot and entree size options. We began with one cold and three hot selections and a bottle of excellent white wine. They were all excellent. We followed that with three other hot items and were equally pleased. Having more than enough to eat, we finished with wonderfully strong coffee, then crossed the street to have a small ice cream cone at the Original Swensen?s Ice Cream Parlor. A wonderful evening with good friends, plus the beginnings of a trip to Italy.

• Pros: Food quality, ambience, staff

05/27/08

Superb food

by Antonius at Citysearch

I have gone to Zarzuela 3 times over a span of about 12 years since I only get to San Francisco occasionally. The food remains superb each time I go. I have eaten at quite a few Spanish restaurants in the US, and it is easily the best and most authentic aside from Cafe Iberico in Chicago. The grilled mushrooms with serrano ham and garlic were excellent, as was the jamon iberico with tomato bread. The wait can sometimes be a little bit irritating, as there is nowhere really to wait other than outside and the fact that they are closed on Sundays and Mondays leaves you to make careful planning if you are only in town for a couple of days.

• Pros: Excellent Spanish food, great variety
• Cons: Very loud, no place to wait for table, closed 2 days a week

03/18/07

Price does not match the quality/quantity

by yannisa at Citysearch

With my girlfriend we were looking for a romantic tapas place, the name sounded nice. Food was good, but not amazing at all + portions were small, too small for the price (about $8 for each tapas), the lamb dish, was $8 for 2 minuscule skewers. The atmosphere was OK, but not romantic, I think it's a good place for a group but not just a couple...

• Pros: Nice location, service OK
• Cons: Price, quantity

02/19/07

Cozy tapas !!!

by lisahazarika at Citysearch

A fabulous tapas joint with a lot of 'panache?! The first impression was the cozy dining hall behind the big bay windows, with every inch packed. Parking was an issue, but we decided to park a little far and take a cab. There are no reservations taken for two, and when we reached, there was a wait in a tiny room where we entertained ourselves with ?sangrias?. The sangrias were not the best in town, but what followed was really fantastic. Breads and sauteed olives were provided as a welcome gesture, as we coursed our way through the interesting yet varied menu. We decided to go for the hot/cold tapas plates followed by small entrees. My favorites were eggplant wrapped around goat cheese (yummy) and the juicy chicken stripes dipped in cheese and breadcrumbs. Other tapas we tasted were calamaries, sauteed shrimps in garlic and olive. For entrees, grilled sea bass and chicken sauteed in sherry followed. In all, it was an awesome experience with great food; romantic ambience and a relaxed destination, which took us to a little dreamy, cozy villa in a make-believe Spanish countryside!!!

The staff/owner informed us about the chef?s expertise, who is originally from a town near Madrid and the food prepared was therefore very authentic and original to the Spanish platter. A great experience and will definitely go back again for the tasty small dishes!!!

• Pros: Tapas,Tapas,Tapas
• Cons: Parking