Zeal Modern Eatery
1255 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, GA, 30068
Zeal Modern Eatery Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Marietta for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1255 Johnson Ferry Rd
Marietta, GA, 30068 - Phone (678) 401-7142
- Website https://zealrestaurant.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Joel T.
I'm confused with everyone's reviews here about Zeal. I am a serious foodie and conassieur. Grew up in a french colonized country where wine, cheese, pastries and just great food were all over the place. Zeal is a gem in our neighborhood!!! I've been to Seed several times and have reached a point where I will not go back unless it's just to have a drink. From here on out I'm going where the food is outstanding and that's Zeal. Seriously we went to Zeal for Mothers day brunch and they blew it out of the water. The two meats being carved, the omelet station, the chicken in an incredible sauce, the perfectly cooked salmon, the shrimp and grits in a heavy cream base sauce that I actually poured over everything including the salmon were all just phenomenal. Kudos to the chef and owner for putting this together. I will be back....regularly.
(5)Emily T.
Love the ambiance, location, the food. Do not love the prices. I ordered the seafood carbonara which was fantastic, but with only 3 mussels, 2 shrimp and 1 sea scallop (cut in half) I did not think it worth the $24 price tag. Also, it really needs a chunk of crusty sourdough bread to sop up the sauce, which would cost them nothing, but alas, none to be had. My husband enjoyed his calamari and his matchmaker drink.
(3)Pam C.
Upgraded from 3 stars to 4! It took us almost a year to get back, but it was worth it. They still have great ice tea :) This time we started with the goat cheese fritters, very good. I loved the habanero pepper jelly that came with them. My girlfriend had the shrimp and grits, she said they were great, the little bite I had, was good. I had the ahi tuna with mango salsa on top, with English pea puree. Sooo good. Perfect portion, light and refreshing, the perfect spring dinner. Can't wait to take the hubby here.
(4)Ylonda C.
This really probably a 3.4, because I really wouldn't want to round it up to a 4. Zeal Modern Eatery, is a very cute and trendy looking place with an lighted outdoor area (too cold to use when I was there), and a warm and trendy feel inside. Let me just get right to the problem areas...the food. :( Zeal does an awesome job at presentation, but I'm not so sure they have not tasted their food since it opened. I know that is a pretty strong statement, but they really missed the mark on the food. Zeal focuses on the presentation of the food and less about the taste. Most of the food though pretty, was just bland. We had ordered the shrimp appetizer...the sauce was good, but the shrimp were raw. Yep ...raw....then we tried the short rib spring roll. Not much short rib inside and again flavorless without the sauce. The sauce was tooooo sweet. So, it really didn't balance out the dish. The chicken lollipops, however were pretty tasty. So, the food is really about a 2. So, now for the good stuff....the bar and the staff a definitely 4.5 maybe even a 5. The management was very responsive to our feedback on the food. The hostess and wait staff were both very nice and friendly. The bartender was excellent. I absolutely loved the bar area. They had live music which was nice and fun. The bar and the people definitely make this a place to come back to.
(3)Jeanie R.
Food was not bad, though overpriced for what we got- two salads, bread, 1 dessert, no drinks for $52 including tip. What was ridiculous was that we were charged $3 for bread, which the waiter told us was "really good bread and worth it", and what he brought to the table were the standard store-bought white dinner rolls that were so ordinary that I would not have served them at home! We have been there a couple of times before, each time not as good as the previous one, and we will not likely be returning.
(2)Anita S.
Zeal is a super cute spot! Tonight we sat on the patio and for a second you forget you are in a strip mall atmosphere. It's trendy and eclectic but subtle enough where all types could feel comfortable. The staff was friendly and started up a friendly rapport from when we first walked in until we left. I was not overly impressed with the food. It was good and fresh but nothing over the top. I guess my expectations were to high on the food. I would visit again, maybe just for some cocktails and apps on the patio next time.
(3)David W.
My wife and I went for a small dinner on Friday night. The first impression was good -- Clean rustic chic look and upscale clientele. The bar had space but wasn't empty. We were seated quickly and ordered oysters and short rib egg rolls to start. The oysters were tasty but very small and the egg rolls were a little greasy but the sauce was very good - A nice blend of sweet with spicy. Great beer selection also. The kale salad was delicious as was the second beer. After the small dinner we stayed at the bar and listened to the autistic guitar player and chatted with strangers. Service was fantastic and we had a great evening.
(4)Phoebe T.
Came back for a happy hour and LOVED IT! I need to come back here for dinner in order to update my review rating to a 4 or 5 but I will say that they were more than friendly towards our small group of 10 and I love their bar area (although they got rid of the shuffleboard table! does anybody know why?). Also, they have outdoor seating which I can see being very popular in the summer. I'll come back for food and update my rating, I promise!
(3)Carey C.
First timer tonight. Booked on open table. Bit of an early reservation at 5.30. But we had tickets to the Fox. Ambiance is amazing! Way cool! Service was a lil suspect... Waiter may have been new. He double checked my wife's wine order, then again her dinner order. Also, not sure he was familiar with the term a la cart. Which it is! I ordered the small plate of shrimp and grits, and she ordered the stuffed chicken breast. Mine came out with 3 shrimp and a pile of grits. And it came out 5 mins before my wife's meal! We were sharing so not a really big deal, per say. Overall, we both agreed it was kinda bland. And the prices... Well the are proud of their food for sure! Honestly, imma give it another try, but Red Sky is prob the better option!
(3)Lindze M.
I'm sad this place doesn't have higher reviews, cause I've enjoyed it both times I went. Their cocktails are amazing. I've tried almost all of them, but the East Cobb Harvest is my fav. I could drink a million of these. The service both times was amazing. I had cute waiters both times that were attentive and helpful. My only complaint was I had their white chocolate turtle cheesecake last time and whatever fudge sauce they used for the drizzle straight up tasted like nail polish remover. I told the waiter, he tasted it in the kitchen and agreed with us and took it off our check, so no harm done. It happens! It's all about how they handle their mistakes, and they did good on that. I will definitely make this a regular drinking spot. I hope to try more of their food too.
(4)Karen W.
Finally got around to trying this place out (it's 3 moles from my house). What have I been waiting for?!? Incredible! Went for late lunch on a Monday and everything was perfect! We had the short rib spring roll appetizer, watermelon gazpacho and lunch special (stir fry with beef tenderloin). Everything was so fresh and flavorful! I love the fact that they're farm to table and the menu is constantly changing. Our waiter Gary was attentive without being intrusive and I would definitely ask for him when I go back - which will be very, very soon!
(5)Kathy T.
Ok I went to Zeal last night for a co-workers retirement party. I have to say my second visit earned Zeal more stars in my book. Food was really awesome. I had the old fashion burger and was spot on. Salmon and trout dishes were really delish also. The service was incredible , considering we had 12 ladies at one table, What a great night
(5)Beth H.
I was very disappointed in our service today. We went at lunch time. We were seated promptly it things went downhill from there. The hostess brought us water and it was 20 minutes before anyone came back to take our order. It was at least 20 minutes before our lunch arrived. Eventually our waitress came. We asked for our check and the manager. He came I told him if they were that busy and short handed they should warn people. He agreed. I also let him know that my steak was luke warm. He took off $5 for the cost of the steak that was an add on to my salad and gave me a gift card to come back. I'm not sure if I will return.
(3)Chris D.
Food 4 Star.... Place 4 Star.... Price 2 Star.... Went for lunch at a really strange time 2:30 on Sunday afternoon. We were the only ones there. Really cool place and the food is great with some really unique offerings. We kept it simple though. I'm a burger guy, so I had a burger and fries. Excellent! The wife had a kids grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup. She really liked it. My buddy had a short rib egg roll dish from the appetizer menu. Really good. Together we had 3 beers and a couple of sweet teas. Great meal Where they fall short for me is the price. The meal above was $75 with tip. That's one kids soup/sandwich an appetizer and a burger. I'd go back if I had a coupon or something.
(3)Meredith R.
Lunch with book club. Certainly not bad ... but nothing so extraordinary to entice me back for dinner. Zeal is a perfectly nice restaurant -- perhaps not as stand-out or exotic as the type of place I'd go out of my way for -- but for a Marietta restaurant, it's fine. My Applewood Cobb salad was portrayed a bit differently on their website. (No fried green tomatoes?! Where were the croutons?) Okay, I saved calories & cholesterol,....and truth be told, I did enjoy the salad. The white balsamic dressing was tasty enough for me to ask for more. The stand-out dish amongst the women may have been Georgia trout with Israeli couscous. My friends thought it was quite good. A half portion is adequate for a mid-day meal. Zeal is located in a popular strip mall. No problem walking in off the street for lunch, but a friend commented that it could get busy at dinner, so reservations are recommended.
(3)Bill N.
We really love the menu, the food is good (some items a little overprice like the $14 poutines or the $7 zucchini fries), the decor is nice, so we were really glad to have they moved in our side of town. But we won't be coming back. The service is way tooooo slow. We have been there 3 times, and each time the wait staff took way too long even though the place is 3 quarters empty. Last time we went, it took 10 minutes to get ice tea. And the kitchen is desperately slow. Each time we considered walking away before our food got there because the wait was so long. You can't expect people to come back. That is torture. It is ironical because the name Zeal evokes quality, determination to do well and maybe even a sense of urgency which they totally lack. ps: they have comment cards on the tables inviting comments, so this is actually the comment I emailed them, but in a total lack of Zeal... I got no reply.
(2)Stephanie M.
Opening night and the place is packed everyone in the area must have heard there was a new place opening. When I arrived people are waiting at the bar, playing table top shuffle board and darts at the other end of the room. In the bar area there are comfortable sofas with tables & lamps. If you are in the need for a sports fix there are 4 t.v.s in the bar area. Zeal has a interesting craft beer list if you are in the mood get a 4 for 4. What that means is you may have four, four ounce pours of most beers (not all) for $10.00. For those who need something a bit warmer Whiskey flights are available for $16.00 I saw quite a bit of interest in this. Craft drinks can be had as well, one of personal interest is the Zanzibar with ingredients of Tequila, ginger beer, pineapple & absinthe will try next time. While checking out the scenery and waiting on a table decided to try one of the many beers an Ommegang Rare Vos (on tap). It was quite nice being that is a Belgian style beer with hints of coriander and orange peel. *Interesting note, the glasses for the beer are actually "formed from a beer can" with Zeal's logo on it. On to the food it is "farm to table, yes with local producers." For those of you who are vegetarians or not, we all have some options Portabella sliders, Flat breads, Salads and veggies like brussels sprouts, cauliflower mash and seasonal veggies. Tonight's menu - Garden Hummus - Is made with spinach & kale topped with peppers and garlic served with ciabatta toasts. Quite nice (a bit salty) but it didn't stop me from eating it. The portion is big enough for sharing. The Mushroom Flat Bread - Liked this. The crust is pliable soft even so don't expect "pizza crust" it is a thin bread topped with asiago cheese & cremini mushrooms. Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin - Flavor in the meat was there all by itself a bit smoky and savory I would order this again. (I had asked for the sauce on the side) Now with all of this said "yes" I saw some "glitches" in tonight's service even had a couple of temperature issues but it wasn't enough to drive me away. Give them a week or two & they will be fine. The menu changes at 9:30 and will be open late.
(4)Christine F.
What a pleasant surprise! The place we were going to meet at was closed, so we decided to give this place a try. It was good, albeit a little pricey, but I'll definitely return. The only hiccup we encountered during our visit was a long wait for our cocktails. Since there was no bartender on duty, the manager had to make the drinks. It took about 15 minutes for them to get to the table. They were quite good though, although the habanero syrup added to my Perfect Storm could have had a little more of a kick to it. Lunch entrees were good. I had a vegetarian hummus melt which was a bit more bread than filling, but the bread itself was quite fresh. Zucchini fries were a welcome change from the usual side dish options. My friend got the baked potato soup, which was so rich that she ended up taking her sandwich home with her. The place has a cool vibe and great decor. Our server, Peter, was top notch. For a cocktail, beer and sandwich, my bill was nearly $35, so when I do come back, it will likely be for a special treat.
(4)Scott L.
Not sure what has changed in the back of the house, but something is just not right. We went for Sunday Brunch, after church and got there about 11:30. They were already out of Grits but offered to replace it with Polenta--huh?? It was early in their brunch service and only two other tables, a 4 top and a 2 top... The lunch/brunch portions were very small, my trout was good, but the CousCous side was about 1/4 cup under the fish. Nothing else on the plate except some really sad, limp parsley on top of the fish. Needed seasoning and/or a sauce to tie it together. We had not been in a while and all previous visits were really good! Want to come back but they need to get it together in the kitchen. Our waitress was one of the best we have had in East Cobb eateries. ZEAL has lost some of its zeal...
(3)Jessica D.
The food is great but I had an awful eating experience here. Waitress sat is down around 8pm, took our drink orders, then left us waiting at the table for over an hour without taking our orders. Finally got a hold of her, she took our orders and we waited for another hour for our meal. After being fed up we complained to the manager and he apologized and the food came out within 10 minutes. We got there at 8 didn't get our meals til 10:15.. The manager tried to make it up to us by giving us coupons for free appetizers next time we come in... Nevertheless good food but pricey.
(1)Michelle L.
3 star food (which is to say average, but that's actually ok if the price is right), at 5 star prices (so, no, price definitely not right). Zucchini fries over breaded, but cooked really well in fresh oil. Bread basket is an excuse to sell stale bread, so definitely stay away. The butternut squash was a clear winner, but at $16.95 way overpriced. Not really calling to me for a return visit - and definitely not worthy of the 2015 "best taste" win with so many other great restaurants in East Cobb.
(3)Darcie W.
The place has the worst service I have ever encountered. From the hostess who ignored us while on the phone, to the waiter we had to track down for drinks, to the wait from hell for food. We have been twice and both experiences left us incredibly frustrated. The food is ok but not worth the crappy service.
(1)Jennifer M.
A great restaurant with awesome food. The braised short ribs were amazing. My friend had the .38 special cocktail which is unique to Zeal and she really enjoyed it. Only issue was that it was a bit loud. But we were there on. Saturday night. Might be a bit quieter during the week. Definitely will be going back!
(4)Nikki A.
I was excited to go because I had heard good things about Zeal but it was mediocre at best. We started off with the Calamari and Eggplant/Goat Cheese Crostini's. Neither was great. For entrees we ordered the pork loin, trout, and Shrimp and Grits. Only the Shrimp and Grits were good. The trout was very bland and the hushpuppies with the pork were incredibly dry. I really tried hard to like the restaurant but with only 1 out of 5 items good, it is really hard to do so.
(2)Alex K.
Went for Sunday brunch with a church group and ordered the steak and eggs. The menu said it came with grits but I got potatoes instead for some reason which were over-salted. Also when I asked for ketchup, they brought out what tasted like marinara sauce instead. Most of the other group got omelets which they seemed to enjoy although one guy got his order mixed up. Another friend ordered a muffin basket and when they were brought out they were incredibly small. The service seemed a little slow for not a super busy time. The real attraction is the style of the place. They really reinforce the "modern" part of their name. There were also darts and shuffleboard for us to play while waiting for the food. Overall, food was good, service was very friendly, especially our waiter Casey. Wouldn't mind coming again.
(3)Daisy B.
First, let me say I hope Zeal does well--East Cobb needs more non-chain, decent restaurants. It's an attractive (although dark--bring your flashlight app to read the menu) space. The wine list was not particularly exciting, but was reasonably priced. Service was a bit shaky, but pleasant. They make all their fried foods with cornmeal in a dedicated fryer, so I was able to enjoy fried calamari in a restaurant for the first time since going gluten-free. The calamari was definitely the best thing we ate (according to the non-gluten-free people as well). My steak salad with blue cheese was fine, but the steak had an overly sweet glaze on it, as did my companion's pork tenderloin. Everything was good, but nothing was really great. I do appreciate the many gluten-free offerings clearly marked on the menu, and I will return to see if they can get a bit more pizzazz with time. In my opinion, the food is a strong step up from the nearby chains, but not yet at the level of Seed or Common Quarter, both of which are within walking distance.
(3)Tom P.
Braised short ribs melt apart. Surf & turf was good. Chicken lollipop was mouth watering. Happy to have the green chile burger. Grilled chicken was a yummy option. Ribeye not the reason to come here but lobster mac is a destination side
(4)Cindy C.
Last night was our first experience with Zeal and since we live about 5 minutes away, we were excited to try it. Dinner, however, was a disappointment. The calamari was OK, but a bit dry. The crostini were not crisp at all and the taste of the eggplant and goat cheese was overpowered by too much balsamic reduction. For dinner, my husband had the carbonara which was extremely salty. My friend had the chicken with orange/fig sauce. The sauce was delicious, however the israel couscous was very bland - tasted like no seasoning was added at all. Also, there were no vegetables or anything green on the plate. Bland. Our other guest had the trout - again everything was very, very bland. I had the salmon which was good. All in all - we'll pass on Zeal next time. Our waiter was very friendly and the service was good. When we complained about the carbonara, we were offered a second choice, which was also good. Two stars is a bit generous, but the service was good. Sorry folks - I'd move on!!
(2)Sid L.
ok, 1st the positive: ambience is really nice! bar & dining areas are both very nicely done! owners/staff are very friendly! bar has interesting/good beer & cocktail offerings. broad menu with lots of interesting sounding options now the less positive: to say it was slow would be kind (that said it was opening night) I think they had equipment problems in kitchen so food was unimpressive - not terrible but definitely disappointing given ambience, bar & price... fixing the slow part is relatively easy (again, it was opening night) but the food needs to be taken up a notch (or two). I DO hope they make it as Seed needs some competition but I doubt they lost too much sleep last night...
(2)Heather G.
Great new restaurant . Excellent family restaurant we love this place. Food is very good, healthy and the menu is 80 percent gluten free. One of the only places my son can come and eat whatever he wants. Wine and beer list phenomenal. We highly recommend it
(5)Stacey G.
Great service and great food!! Our waitress, Mary, was exceptional!! She was honest and gave great food recommendations!! Get the lobster mac & cheese and seafood carbonara. We will definitely be back!!
(5)Becky K.
We ate here about 2-3 weeks after it opened. Great atmosphere. It was a wait for a table on a Thursday night at 7:45 but, since there were only two of us, we sat on a couch in the bar. The bartender hit us up right away. They were quick with the alcoholic drinks, but I had to ask 3 times for water. We had apps (grit/goat cheese fritters)-a little more goat cheese and a little less grit would be nice. The Kale salad was delish! We also shared the trout which received an A+ from us and the steak sliders, which received a B+ (mostly because the bread was kind of thick and overpowering). Overall, this was a good dining experience, even in the first few weeks, which are usually rough. Great ambiance. Great look. Good staff.
(3)Steve P.
Record setting prices in e Cobb. The prices for cocktails and bottled domestic beer are par with the Ritz Carlton ( fact ). 9.50 for a premium call brand, 5.00 for a Budweiser. Bring your paycheck
(1)Lauren T.
Pretty good food and service for me! I had the ribeye with blue cheese grits, goat cheese grit fritters appetizer, and strawberry cheesecake. My friend had the grilled catfish with hush puppies. Plus the Wild Heaven beer is a treat. Local food, local beer, how can you go wrong? The lounge areas and shuffleboard look great, too. Will definitely go back.
(4)Debra F.
Growing up in East Cobb I'm delighted to see that new, trendy restaurants are opening and staying in business such as SEED. Unfortunately Zeal is not SEED. Trendy it is, great space in the old Chinese restaurant that was there for 20+ years. Completely transformed the space and it is quite modern. I was excited trying the new spot with my girlfriends for our monthly dinner out. Unfortunately from the moment we sat down the experience went downhill. Now I appreciate if a place is new and they need to workout the kinks. I'm an avid restaurant goer and understand that new spots must workout their issues in the kitchen etc, but the owner when addressed about a situation just stared at me as a deer in headlights instead of reacting immediately. We sat down to order drinks and after 10/15 minutes when they did not appear I simply went to the hostess stand and told the owner(yes...I was informed by a friend it was the owner who apparently is new to the restaurant business) that our drinks had yet to appear. Of course as I am pointing out our table the waitress appears with said drinks. We ordered calamari as a starter which beside the portion being tiny that it took over 30 minutes to receive. I had ordered the ribeye with peppers which the waitress gushed over saying it was incredible. It was more like eating something from a Ryan's Steakhouse which by the way I've never been to, but it was not incredible in fact it was barely edible because it was beyond spicy. The waitress suggested not eating the peppers which I scraped off, but the dish was to be about the peppers. Considering the fact that I had waited for over an hour for it I was not about to send it back because I was starving and it was getting very late. Not once by the way did the owner or any manager stop by our table to see how our meal was and if we needed anything. We all ordered a second glass of wine (if we had'nt we would not have had anything to drink with our long overdue meal) and when the glasses were delivered the waitress confused which person had which wine or the bartender poured something else. Thank goodness we did not order the $14 glass of wine. God knows if they were now pouring an $8.00 glass! None of our wines tasted the same the second time around. Needless to say we did not order dessert. We ordered the check midway thru our meal instead to ensure we would get that within a reasonable time. The checks were also incorrect where we asked that each person get a separate one. Mine had the incorrect wine on it and the appetizer was not split between me and the other person I shared with. The common question a server asks is shall I split the appetizer or place on one check . Ours did not ask this simple question. Needless to say after last nights experience I will not be returning to this restaurant. I was beyond disappointed. The menu descriptions sound great, but they taste nothing like what one would think. One last note was we wanted the goat cheese fritters to begin with and we were notified they are no longer offered on the menu. My question is why do they not remove them? Place something over the menu item in the interim while a new menu is printed. Another appetizer was also not offered any longer. We met some friends that had sat at the bar for drinks and appetizers and they also mentioned a litany of complaints. There are way too many restaurants in East Cobb now and all over Roswell that one does not need to spend their hard earned money in a place that does not appreciate their guests. I will never return and plan on telling my friends my experience. I typically will give a place a second chance, but honestly it was such a disappointment from beginning to end that in this case I will not be returning. Spend your money elsewhere! Need to add an addendum to this review. After dining here one of my three other friends I had dined with viewed her credit card statement online to see that she had been charged for both her meal and mine. What? Makes no sense because I had a credit card receipt for my share with the last four digits of my credit card so who knows what happened. I was charged as well. A little double dipping going on. Check your credit card statements after dining here. To top it off my friend called the owner to tell him of the error and he apologized. He went onto say he would call her back to get a time when all of us could come back to revisit the place at his expense. Guess what? Never called her back. Geez...really?! Another reason to let folks know DO NOT EAT at Zeal. They do not appreciate the business. Their service stinks, the food stinks, they are switching your wine by the glass after your first and more. Do I need to go on? The place is an utter disaster. If after reading this review you still want to go I just hope that your experience is better than ours was ...
(1)Linda K.
Ambiance nice. Food, not so much. My daughters burger was over cooked, my son's chicken was horrible. However, my entrée was good - the scallops in cous-cous, and my husband enjoyed his skirt steak however overall we will not go back. Sorry Zeal... we were looking forward to a new eatery in the area.
(2)Mauricio M.
Checked out this place thanks to a friend... Nice recommendation !! everything was great from the nice selection of draft beer to the appetizers and main entrées and the decor and atmosphere inside...Top Notch I had the fried chicken, it was perfectly crisp and the sauce on top gave it the perfect finishing touch, and it comes on a bed of spinach garlic mashed potatoes.. Oh so tasty !!! I was too full to have dessert but their selection looked tempting... I most definitely come back to Zeal and try something else on their menu and of course I will recommend it to my friends...Kudos !! Two thumbs up !!!! And OK Our server Ally was great, always on top of things and ready available. ....
(5)John F.
Yum. This place started out to a rough start, but with a new chef Scott was able to get the food to meet the decor. The food is off the charts now. They've added multiple 6 person booths in front of the bar. They have had a few different things in the bar area. The booths are the best addition. This place is also great for work or networking functions. The owner is easy to work with and offer amazing deals on groups. Grown Up Grilled Cheese sandwich is a lunch time favorite. If you you've not been to zeal in the last 8 months I would suggest heading there. Locally owned!
(5)C B.
I ordered the goat cheese fritters and seafood pasta dish . Great service awesome food ... Get the fritters!!!!! Will definitely go again .
(5)Jennifer L.
We went for a late-night bite in the middle of the week and was pleasantly surprised that their kitchen is open late (the late-night menu starts at 9:30pm). This new restaurant has a great outdoor seating patio, and the decor is pleasantly modern with crisp lines. They have a large bar on one side of the place and seating for guests on the other. They have a range of appetizers, entrees, plates that can be ordered "small" or "large," and sides. We decided on an assortment: chicken lollipops, mac and cheese, PEI mussels, and the flatbread. I think the problem is that this place is being unofficially (?) promoted as a competitor to Seed, but it's not. The prices are a bit bloated (including alcohol, of course), and the food attempts to be creative but is missing that special something that really makes it delicious. I have to say that the mac and cheese is really tasty, but everything else was just okay. And they're still working out some bugs: our table lighting was so dark it was nearly impossible to read the menu. We'll be back in a bit, hopefully after they've worked out their bugs and normalized their prices, and then I'll update this review.
(3)Patrick M.
The good: Israeli couscous Size of the half plates are bigger than most restaurants entrees. Decent wine list Good beer selection The bad: The trout was absolutely taste less, could have been a lump of tofu instead. Skirt steak was over seasoned with salt and sauce base, steak was overdone for medium rare. Mixed drink was over priced. Overall the quality did stand up to the price paid. If you want a good quality meal suggest you find the restaurant/wine bar around the corner.
(2)Linda C.
Went out to dinner. It was terrible. I cannot believe only the salad was good. First, the time between servings was so long I should have brought a book. The place wasn't hopping so I'm not really sure what was going on. Zeal Salad was very good and the Creamy Basil Dressing was TO. DIE. FOR. Fried Green Tomatoes - VERY thick cut, corn meal battered, and fried. Would have been perfect for this fried green tomato loving girl if they were cooked through. I couldn't get past the hard tomato and the RUNNY cornmeal batter. Yuck! But the Fig goat cheese spread was delicious! Stuffed Pork Tenderloin* (gf) | Stuffed with Peaches, Mascarpone, and Jalapeno, Mashed Potatoes, Jalapeno Glaze Sounds delicious right? Yeah, but it has to be cooked to at least medium and medium rare to even close to rare in some spots didn't work for me. I just wish I'd looked at it before my first bite. I didn't get mad, and I was actually a gracious complainer. I didn't even say "don't charge me for this" when Jennifer asked what she could do to make it right! I just said nothing, it's a new chef. Things happen. Just take the food away please. But of course when the check came, I only had to pay for the Zeal salad. Which by the way, the creamy basil dressing I chose was TO DIE FOR! LOVED IT! And I have a big salad from them with this yummy dressing in the fridge (free of charge!) waiting on me for breakfast! BREAKFAST!!! STARVING!!! But why wouldn't I be? I spent over 2 hours at Zeal last night and watched my sister and her husband eat. To top it off my dinner, Zeal (Jennifer) gave me a choice for something at the end. I chose a Zeal salad with Creamy Basil dressing. Decided it would be a great breakfast and was the only thing they didn't do wrong last night! It was not a Zeal salad with bleu cheese and all the other treats it comes with. It was lettuce, a little shaved parm, and the dressing was a cross between Caesar and a Thousand Island. It was not good. Jennifer assured me last night, "Everything is good with this! I checked it ALL myself!" So disappointed. This was my sister's favorite place. I've heard so much about their food since I've been back here in Georgia I was excited when they wanted to take me there for dinner. It has completely changed from what her and her husband tell me. The menu definitely is different. Some of the dishes are still listed, but have been changed. Their chef left and the new chef that's been there 2 months now of course is making it her own. But I gotta tell you, I'm worried they won't last long. The place had very few patrons for a Friday night. I'm giving it another shot on the 5th and I'm very interested to see what they bring. Got my fingers crossed!
(1)Keisa W.
I had the pleasure of going to brunch with a group of wonderful ladies a couple of weeks ago. I have to admit as an avid user of Yelp, I was quite skeptical about Zeal based on the current poor reviews. All I can say is "wrong", "buzzz", big Family Feud red "X". My food, my fellow ladies' food and drinks--bottomless mimosas-- were all perfect. Stuffed French toast, shrimp and grits, the owner... all wonderful. Please give Zeal a chance, at least for brunch. It was delicious and I, and my mouth, look forward to my return.
(4)Shari R.
Don't waste your time or money here! Food was horrible and service wasn't up to par either. Got the veggie platter. The roasted root veggies were burnt. Got butternut squash risotto instead. Just no effort was placed into a $16 veggie plate. The apple toffee dessert, gross. Not one ounce of apple or toffee flavor. Tasted purely like flour no flavor at all. Will not return and I don't recommend.
(2)Preeti M.
If I am going to trek out to the 'burbs for food, it better be worth it. Thankfully Zeal did the trick. I met a friend who lives in Marietta and we had a nice Saturday lunch. When weather is nice, sit outside and people watch!
(4)Christy M.
We went right after they opened... Terrible. Decided to give it another try. Been back 4 times since. Great service, great food, nice atmosphere. Great addition to east cobb!!
(4)Duane H.
Valentine dinner with my wife was great. They had a four course menu. Everything was great. Gumbo taste very similar to my homemade version which means chef definitely spent time in NO or someone from NO taught him. Definite a come back place.
(4)Bambi Y.
Had dinner at Zeal last night. The salmon melted in my mouth! The atmosphere is wonderful! Loved it and defiantly going back soon!
(5)R G.
First time to Zeal. Food was good and the server was very nice. I had the lunch tree and would definitely get it again. Next time I want to try the mussels
(4)Susana H.
What a treat for East Cobb! Fresh and flavorful with great service. I've been there multiple times in big groups and also for lunch with my girlfriends. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because big groups can be challenging for them. However, the service is great and they aim to please. The cocktails are terrific if made by the MALE bartender. He takes his craft seriously--his drinks rock!
(4)Charlisa S.
I just enjoyed a very filling dinner at Zeal. I ordered the lollipop chicken - pretty good but the chili sauce is a little spicy for me but others at the table who loved spicy food really enjoyed it. The kale salad - that salad is everything!! The salad dressing needs to be bottled and sold in stores! Short rib over potatoes - the rib so was so tender you didn't even meed a fork. The potatoes need a little work. And finally the dessert..I believe it's called a jar pie - They have coconut, turtle, and strawberry..I had strawberry, it was a little sweet for me but the cream was delicious. Overall I had a great experience..the staff is awesome..Jim was most helpful and on point. Jennifer is the absolute best. I highly recommend it.
(5)Dionne T.
Great food, decor and service. Variety of fairly healthy salads and sides. I like the market fish tacos, hummus and sautéed spinach.
(4)Denisse O.
I'm a little bit surprised about the not so hot reviews for Zeal. I went up for a business meeting, had dinner and drinks and really loved the atmosphere and food. So I went back a second time, with some girlfriends, and a third time, on a date. The trout is fantastic (I had that twice), and even the small portion is plenty for one person. Also, the East Cobb Harvest drink is perfect for summer.
(5)April L.
Great outdoor patio which is perfect this time of year. I've visited for lunch and dinner and each time the food was very good. They host a business cocktail hour for me every quarter and it's always such a nice evening.
(4)Wendy G.
East Cobb is lucky to possibly be the next Historic Roswell with regards to the food scene around Atlanta. For the longest time, Seed was the main event around Marietta (along with Chicken and the Egg) in a sea of chain restaurants - but now there are a couple new kids on the block. Zeal is a little bit of everything and hoping to attract a wide swath of patrons. The menu is very approachable, locally sourced, delicious food. It's positioning itself as Seed, but more family friendly. The bar scene could be a cool late night spot with shuffle board tables and a really great beer, wine and cocktail program. They even have a late night menu as well. Food-wise some of my fave bites included the 'Chicken Lollipop' as a starter, as well as the Sweet Vidalia Onion and Prosciutto Bruschetta. Really really good. Fresh salads, the Crispy Kale salad was very tasty and I don't care who says kale is overused now on menus. It's healthy and tastes great. There is a section of dishes that can be shared plates as well - you can order the small or large serving. I loved the Red Chili Dusted Seared Diver Scallops. For an entree, highly recommend the Ravioli with Chicken, Spinach, Mushroom, and Parmesan Cream Sauce. The Gulf Shrimp and Grits and Georgia Trout dishes were very solid as well - love the couscous as a different side option. Seriously good. Like any new restaurant, it's going to be tough sledding the first couple weeks/month as the staff gets their groove. Menu items may change/get tweaked, but I am already excited about coming back to try some more items like the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Cauliflower Mash and the sliders. Lots of free parking in the shopping center. Make a night of it and catch a movie around the corner at Merchant's Walk!
(4)Janine R.
I went to Zeal as part of a group participating in a tasting menu and had the pleasure of trying the chicken lollipops, zeal salad, shrimp and grits and strawberry mini dessert. Everything was delicious although the strawberry dessert was a bit sweet. I also tasted a bit of the turtle dessert which was very rich and delicious. The chicken lollipops have this spicy, but sweet sauce, the salad's dressing is amazing and the shrimp and grits were very flavorful. I was able to try a bit of the braised ribs as well which was very good. Overall I enjoyed my meal a lot and would definitely return here again.
(4)Lola B.
Every month a group of moms and I have Ladies Night Out. This month it was Zeal, we were so excited that it was right around the corner. Love, love love the the ambiance. Other than that, not impressed and much rather had stayed home watching Law and Order. The waiter was slower than the DOT clearing the roads last week. The food was ALRIGHT, better than most places in East Cobb. Hopefully, they get better.
(2)Greg C.
For the second night open it was very impressive. Service was impeccable, calamari was wonderful, seafood pasta was incredible and the kale salad was superb. Great addition to the East Cobb eatery options, watch out Seed....
(5)Sam W.
Underwhelmed, disappointed. Go to Seed instead. I was excited that there was something new, hip and fun in east cobb, but was quite disappointed with Zeal. From the looks and sounds of the place, it seems like it is supposed to compete with Seed, but falls short. I don't mind paying for a great meal, but I do have expectations... I'm afraid this place won't last if they don't make some changes. Positives: Atmosphere- great decor (I fee like this where they put their money) Beer Menu- extensive Mushroom Ravioli was good. Calamari was good. Negatives: Drinks- "Cocktails" on their menu are literally cocktails, not mixed drinks. In my opinion, they should have a list of both on the menu. This way, they can sell more (and appeal to women). Bars make most of their money on liquor sales anyways... 10oz beers? There is a certain expectation when it comes to drinking beer and serving size IS one of them, especially when it is less than the standard. Food- Braised Beef- nothing special, meat was bland, not enough salt in gravy Shrimp with Grits- grits were flavorless, shrimp were good (3 shrimp total) Service- Staff is not as professional as I thought they would be. I did not see confidence/ knowledge of the menu. The description from our waitress was fairly elementary. I sensed that they do not get paid well.
(2)Asteridae A.
Was excited to have a new dining option in East Cobb to check out, particularly one with a bar open past 11:00 that isn't a sports bar, and I was very disappointed. East Cobb is a family neighborhood, and this restaurant, although decorated very nicely, has shuffleboards right outside the front door, which basically encourages people to bring their children. I wouldn't have a problem with that, except the group of parents who brought their 7 children that evening seemed much more interested in consuming bottle after bottle of wine and gossipping, than actually managing their children. Left to their own devices, these children ran all around the restaurant, up and down the aisles, between the tables, bumping up against diners, narrowly colliding with servers, and being a general nuisance. Every patron in the restaurant was giving the group of parents the stink-eye, and they chose to ignore us. Efforts to plead with the staff to talk to the parents were to no avail; the waitstaff, the floor manager, and the owner all claimed, "We're sorry, but there's nothing we can do about that." Pathetic excuse that only enables bad behavior in other people. Secondly, the service left much to be desired. We were seated for thirty minutes before someone finally took our drink order, and then our drinks weren't delivered; another 20 minutes later, one of my dining mates walked to the bar, found our drinks sitting there, and brought them back. The food: It took a hour for our food to arrive, and they set down our plates and left quickly. We looked down and saw that we had the wrong food, and it took another 10 minutes to flag down a server to point out the error. Finally, another fifteen minutes later (nearly a hour & half after ordering) we got our correct order. I had ordered the skirt steak and they forgot to set down a steak knife; another 5 minutes to flag down a server, another 5 minutes for him to bring it to me, and when he set my knife down, he held it by the blade, not the handle. Sigh. The floor manager needs to rehash "Setting a Table 101" with the floor staff and to remind them all to slow down and pay more attention. The food was just average - it lacked flavor and imagination and was uncharacteristically bland paired up with the slick decor of the restaurant. It was not worth the wait time, the cost, or the hassle of dealing with unruly children whose parents felt the rest of the restaurant should babysit.
(1)Jenney Y.
Our first and only visit to Zeal was for Father's Day Brunch/Lunch. The service was incredibly slow, my husband's meal came out wrong, and the food was mediocre at best. Our waitress was not familiar with the menu, which was frustrating as she could not answer our questions properly (hence my hub's meal coming out wrong). Needless to say we were not impressed and probably will not go back.
(2)Alessandra O.
Love the vibe of this place! I just wanna instagram everything, the cider is amazing and the food is something I've been missing and I didn't even know it!
(5)John B.
how anyone could rate this place higher than 1 ( possible 2 ) is beyond me & prompts 1 to question their personal standards regarding food & service quality. suffice to say, it all looked good when it finally arrived altho jamieson neat is never served w/ice - straining out the ice exposes the server as an ignorant member of an ill managed wait staff. talking directly to the manager was useless - he's a kid. the only direct PERSONAL service we received was when we responded to the hostess' question - how was everything ? i replied ' we're leaving without paying !. thought that a fair response to 4 requests for our bill but that did get us some attention. fool me once - your fault,,, fool me a 2nd time, you're blameless. perhaps the owner will hire a restauranteur & not populate his staff w/wanna-be managers who don't know how to manage a restaurant. must be many positive reviewers are wowed by curb appeal imo
(1)Sarah F.
I'm giving Zeal 5 stars not because the food was superb, but more so because the service excelled in every way possible. Of course there were a few ups and downs as there would be for any restaurant on it's grand opening night. The turnout was great which also meant there was a long wait to get a table. We didn't mind because this gave us a chance to checkout the bar and the beer/cocktail menu. I have to say the restaurant has a well thought out, extensive list of options for beer/wine connoisseurs. No one will be left disappointed, and there are tons of local options as well. I enjoy supporting businesses that in turn support other local businesses. When we finally sat down, we were starved and so began the ordering of appetizers, entrees and desserts!! It took some time for us to get our food, but everything was great!! The kale hummus and lamb sliders are good portions to share with a small group. We also ordered the shrimp and grits, mushroom flatbread, and the scallops entree. We ended up sharing everything and were not disappointed. For dessert, we ordered cheesecake - so delicious and gluten-free! The wait to sit may have been long; the wait for our order may have taken longer than normal, but in the end, we were fully satisfied. Everyone, from the hostess to the bartender to the waitress, offered impeccable service. They did a great job of making you feel like you're at home - such a warm, patient, welcoming staff! You can clearly tell that this restaurant and crew has been eagerly waiting to offer us what we're all looking for: a great dining experience!
(5)Meredith K.
We had a wonderful experience our first time at Zeal. I don't understand the negative reviews. We are food snobs and loved the food and the entire experience. We ordered the Calamari appetizer and Kale Salad to share. Both were very good. I had the special - a wonderful white fish that may have been the best fish I have ever had. My husband had lamb and he loved his as well. The prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is very cozy but modern, nice live music and great service.
(5)Kristina L.
I went with a group at lunch and they sat us right away. It seemed about half the place was full. It took them an hour and a half to get our drink order to us and a little longer for the food. I know they've been open for only a week and a half, but why seat a group if you don't have the waitstaff to take care of it? I'm sorry to say if they don't fix this quickly they'll go belly-up in a matter of weeks like Bones-to-Go did. Great food but slow service equals a huge loss in customers, especially the working crowd that eats lunch on a time-frame. At least the manager came out and profusely apologized and comped our whole meal (was very surprised by this...is probably the only reason I will go back and try them again). The waitstaff are extremely nice and professional. We had about 3-4 waiters for our one table tho so orders kept asking to be taken and things were confused (again, hopefully something they'll iron out in time). Food was okay. I ordered the catfish which tasted strongly of lemon. It was overpowering. The hushpuppies however were the best I've ever had. Too bad they only gave me 3. I don't think the price to food ratio is very good. 3 hushpuppies and a fillet of catfish for $12 at lunch seems like a rip-off. I was still hungry after the meal. The only fully redeeming quality so far was the look of the place. Very modern and cool. Dark calming colors and beautiful lights. Even the exterior seating was neat. Seems like a cool evening lounge area for the young professional crowd.
(3)Sarah Y.
A group of friends and I ate at Zeal for the first time this past week and everything was exceptional. Everything we ordered was delicious, they had a great drink menu, and the restaurant was absolutely beautiful. They also have a great outdoor space for when the weather is nice. We had a party of 12 and they had a perfect set-up for us and excellent service. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will be going back!
(5)Andy L.
First time diners last night. The trout was delicious as we're the fried green tomato croutons on my wife's salad. Great food, great service.
(4)Keith E.
I was part of a group 7 that had the privilege to partake in a few items off the tasting menu. First let me state that the staff was extremely pleasant and helpful. They took on the group with less than 2 hours notice. The food was very good. I had the hummus, kale salad, short ribs and turtle dessert to top off the meal. I really liked the salad dress on my salad with the spiced walnuts and blue cheese. The braised short ribs tasted great. I could of use one more piece of the short ribs since I truly loved the taste and the tenderness of the dish. The turtle dessert was a nice way to finish off the meal. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great service and tasty food on any night of the week.
(4)Derek B.
Over priced for average food and drink. I really wanted it to be great for E Cobb but it just isn't.
(2)Valrie M.
Dinner with friend. We had a really good waitress. Received our meal in timely manner. Not too many patrons at the time. Trout was okay, she had crab cakes, they were good. She had two bloody Mary's(not knowing how much they were) that were $9 a piece, and were nothing special and didn't even have an olive in them-outrageous! Ambiance is just okay. . Probably not returning.
(2)Sue G.
Great East Cobb place to meet friends. The food is good and I love the style of the restaurant.
(4)M M.
We were excited to have a potentially cool restaurant in east Cobb. All around, Zeal, is a huge disappointment. 1. Drinks took over 10 minutes to arrive 2. Appetizer portion of mussels was the smallest we have had at an equivalent price. The bread that came with the mussels was white and bland. 3. Forks were not replaced after appetizer was cleared. We had to ask our waitress for them. 4. Main course took over 45 minutes to arrive at the table 5. Main courses were poorly cooked: over cooked and dry pork tenderloin, lumpy and cold grits. We have been here twice before. The first time they promised us a table in ten minutes and we left after an hour. The second time we had an OK time in the bar area. Sorry Zeal, three strikes you are out.
(1)Shonna S.
I really enjoyed my visit to Zeal. It was very sophisticated with an everyday feel. The food was unique from many other restaurants and was very satisfying. The restaurant had many distinct features with the decorations such as plates, cups, etc. It mixed modern eatery with high class and sophisticated dining. It has a great appeal and the service is outstanding. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. Keep up the good work!
(5)Wendy B.
I have eaten at Zeal three times in the last few weeks. I have been for lunch and dinner and I have had a great experience every time. The manager stopped by to say hello every time and asked my opinion about the food and my experience there. I am impressed by this. As an interior designer, I love the décor of the restaurant and think it is a very cool place to go. I will be going back to Zeal!
(5)James B.
I feel as if it a bit on the tacky side. The service should be impeccable being that they have just come out of training, or did they? It does not seem so. The food presentation is sloppy at best and needs to be seasoned. Again...training??? I understand the long waits because of the newness, but salt and pepper should be the "chef's" best friend. The prices are outrageous for this area. Ok. I get that you may use some high quality ingredients, but 14$ for a chicken salad? Really? Six bucks for a side salad? Come on!!!! All the sides are ridiculously priced as well. If you are getting local and in season ingredients, shouldn't the prices be lower? Wow. I do not paying top dollar for great food, like food that you get at so many of the restaurants in Atlanta, but this place is a joke. East cobbers will not stand for this type of place. Trust me, I've seen the poorly executed restaurants come and go.
(1)Jeff T.
A tough one to dial in. Much good, but ultimately undone by the value component. Nutshelled, $50 per person in East Cobb better be near-bullet proof. Despite many positive qualities, Zeal was not. The space -- a repurposed Chinese joint of some vintage -- is very well done, with a good mix of booths and table tops -- plenty of bare brick and exposed bulbs, just enough trendy funk to be interesting without being pretentious or stuffy. Nice job. But things went sideways almost immediately as the draft beer menu had not been updated to reflect a dead keg. Divey sports bar, I understand, but if you are going to stock and feature a pretty good selection of craft beer at this price point, you gotta have a dedicated person on that detail. Went with a quality back-up -- Tank 7 Farmhouse -- and moved on. Apps were judged a want not a need, but we went with an order of the Corn Meal Dusted Zucchini and Lemon Aioli ($7) figuring that could be interesting. It was, for the wrong reasons. The adjective "dusted" suggested big spears of zuke with a modicum of batter. "Encased" would be a better tag for the crunchy daggers of fried corn meal hiding slivers of zucchini. Really odd prep as the flavors were good, but almost like they didn't trust the zucchini so they doubled-up on the corn meal. Weird. And not really worth $7. Next up, a couple Zeal Side Salads ($7) -- Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Red Onions, Carrots, Cucumbers, Blue Cheese, Creamy Basil Herb Dressing or White Balsamic, Fried Green Tomato croutons -- that looked to be good mates for the entrees that we were considering, ones that did not feature much in the way of greens. No. Just really a kinda random presentation and execution. In fact, the interesting, different crunch of the fried green tomato croutons didn't really work with the rest of the ingredients, the haphazard blue cheese crumbles especially. Better idea -- delete the blue cheese, tomatoes and carrots, add a small dollop of house-made pimento cheese, and go with YOUR BEST dressing for that mix -- sounds better already, right? $7 salads need to be sharp and clean and interesting, not a mish-mash of seven items which seem to say, "Look, here's a bunch of a stuff. That's gotta be worth $7, right?" Entrees needed to step up at that point -- and they mostly did. A grilled fish special on orzo topped with a spicy shrimp sauce was well done and not floating in butter, but otherwise not particularly memorable in terms of unique flavors. Much better was the grilled skirt steak ($21), which came out at precisely a medium rare and had a great bed of wild mushrooms and mashed potatoes, topped with a rich Chianti demi-glace that was not too salty -- or sweet. Desserts were repped by our server as made in-house and sounded interesting -- so a bread pudding with vanilla ice cream it was. Very well done, just enough sweet and chew to close out the night. Would've gone better with some espresso -- but alas Zeal does not yet have an espresso machine. Coffee was great, but another odd little weirdness. Out the door was $125+ with tip for two people, no cocktails or wine, three craft beers. Sigh. There is much to admire about Zeal and what it is trying to do. However there remains a big disconnect between the execution and quality and the price-point. Even the very nicely done skirt steak struck me as high at $21 considering no veggie tagged along. Then again, maybe it is me. Place was packed with folks drinking bottled beer and presumably eating something. As always, time will tell. We'll probably give it another shot just to see if things are moving in the right direction.
(2)