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Zuni Café

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Zuni Café Review

After one bite of chef Judy Rodgers' succulent brick-oven-roasted whole chicken with Tuscan bread salad, you'll understand why she's a national star. Food is served here on two floors; the rabbit warren of rooms on the second level includes a balcony overlooking the main dining room. The crowd is a disparate mix that reflects the makeup of the city: casual and dressy, young and old, hip and staid. At the long copper bar, trays of briny-fresh oysters on the half shell are dispensed along with cocktails and wine. The southern French-Italian menu changes daily (though the signature chicken, prepared for two, is a fixture—sadly its already-dear cost is what keeps rising). Rotating dishes include house-cured anchovies with Parmigiano-Reggiano, deep-fried squid and lemons, ricotta gnocchi with seasonal vegetables, and brick-oven squab with polenta. Desserts are simple and satisfying, and include crumbly crusted tarts and an addictive cream-laced coffee granita. The lunchtime (and late-night) burger on rosemary focaccia with a side of shoestring potatoes is a favorite with locals.

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Member Reviews

  • chomley, from Newport News, VA
    1/29/10

    My husband and I dined here with our 10 and 12 year old children and the meal was delicious and the experience was enjoyable. Our children like to try new foods and are well behaved so when we travel we take them along so that we don't have to compromise our dining standards. This was a great choice. We had several dishes, including the chicken, side of olives, polenta, and 4 different desserts. All wonderful, and the service was admirable.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • djuliana, from Colorado
    11/11/09

    We had high expectations because of all the reviews and were disappointed. The food was good, but the slow, cool, disinterested service overruled. The kitchen staff smoking pot below the open window where we were seated added to the unprofessionalism.

    Ratings details: Food: 3 | Atmosphere: 4 | Service: 2 | Value: 3
  • rjkollar, from Palos Verdes (Los Angeles area)
    6/18/08

    This was recommended by a Hayes Valley resident who was with us for this lunch. There were four of us and it was just confusing. They brought the pizza first (which was quite good) and then the salad (which was also good), then our plate of oysters... The service was out of sync, to say the least. For the money, it just didn't make it. Maybe next time.

    Ratings details: Food: 3 | Atmosphere: 3 | Service: 3 | Value: 3
  • orlew92, from Rochester, NY
    4/16/07

    We had a great waiteress who recommended some wonderful dishes. The food was good, atmosphere was nice, but loud. We didn't get the chicken, so we have to go back for the chicken next time.

    Ratings details: Food: 5 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 5
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