I have been to Zazios numerous times. A friend and I went for dinner prior to the "Style and Stroll" event 10/7/10 in downtown Kalamazoo benefitting the Susan Komen Fund. My friend had never been, and I had been raving about a particular server (who has since moved to Birmingham and is at the new Zazios there). Josh asked us if we had ever been to Zazios before. When my friend answered this was her first time, he said, "if more people came, we could lower the prices." That was an unprompted interesting comment for a server to make, particularly since nothing had been said about the price structure of the menu. Because of the Style and Stroll event, each participating restaurant had designed a new "pink martini." Josh could not tell us what was in Zazio's martini. He did, upon request, make some pasta recommendations that were most appropriate. However, I don't think it's appropriate for a restaurant of this quality to not train their servers to remove dirty plates in between selections. I believe we had to ask at least three times for Josh to remove dirty plates from the table....the last time was before our dessert was ordered. I expect plates to be left on the table at a "family diner", not Zazios. As regards the decor, it's delightful and whimsical and part of the reason I like Zazio's so much (and excuse me, but the references to "hotel" restaurants has got to be from someone unused to dining in large cities, ie., Chicago or NYC, where many of the best restaurants are linked to hotels). A little training touch up is all our server needs and he should make the grade next time, as I won't let this deter me from enjoying one of my favorite dining spots in Kalamazoo.
(4)
Lauren W.
The decor reminds me of a cruise ship but it didn't disturb me like some of the other reviewers. The food was actually really good Italian food. I appreciate the half order option because I can never eat a full entree myself. The half order allowed me to also enjoy a little nutrition, a salad. I noticed that most reviewers felt that Zazio's was too expensive. I thought it was a little pricey for a hotel restaurant but I'm used to paying a little more for good Italian food. I thought their wine by the glass list was pretty extensive and they carry my FAVORITE red so I was pleased! If I'm back in KZoo for work I will probably come here again. It's convenient when you're staying at the hotel. All in all, good meal, good wine, a little expensive and I felt like I was on a cruise ship = 3 stars.
(3)
Maria D.
I hate to have to write such a poor review of a local restaurant being that I'm Kalamazoo born and bred but this dining experience was incredibly disappointing. In fact, the only positive part of the meal was the waitress, bread, and drinks....although my sister and I had to send back our dirty martinis twice because they tasted bad and even on try three we were not totally satisfied. The appetizers were ok, however the cheese board looked thrown together with what appeared to be what ever was left over, some sort of fig spread and apples, the presentation was sad. The salads to follow were withered not crisp, as it stares in the menu. The Romano salad was presented with almost yellow withering leaves, a stack of cheese and what I was told were roasted red peppers looked old and tasted awful. The other salads had beets that were translucent and unpleasant to the eye. The main course was more than underwhelming, we had the quail which came on a plate of all brown foods, terrible plating, sloppy in fact. The tuna was salty and not prepared properly. My fathers dish I suppose was ok but over all the meal was a bust. I feel in part guilty for the review as I've met the head chef, sat at the chefs table and understand the concept is good, fresh, Italian food. I know he even travels to Italy and is a genius in the kitchen but it's time to step away from the travels and presentations and check the line. This was our family's Christmas dinner and my fathers birthday celebration, it was a huge let down. We definitely overpaid for the meal and left wondering if the fare at Burdick's would have been a better choice. I hope things change because Zazios used to be a favorite but last night was and maybe the last time I dine there.
(1)
Jason W.
Had a fantastic Chef's Table meal prepared by Sous Chef Stefan while we watched. These folks put an emphasis on using local ingredients and to me that's important. There doesn't seem to be that "hotel markup" on the pricing that you'd expect to see given the location. You get what you pay for - quality ingredients, quality preparations. To me, the price paid is fair. Looking forward to going back.
(5)
Mrs B.
It was good but nothing fantastic. Perhaps living in Phoenix for the past eight years has spoiled my taste buds as well as my expectations, but this place just misses the mark. My parents took me here for my birthday dinner and we tried everything. For apps we ordered the Cheese Tasting, Fritto Misto, Steamed Mussels, and the Crisp Pork Belly. They were all decent except the Calamari and shrimp were a greasy, soggy mess. For dinner I ordered the Delmonico which was cooked properly. My boyfriend ordered the Veal Parmigiana which he seemed to be happy with, and my parents ordered the Sea Bass and the Seafood Spaghetti. There were no complaints but I know there was nothing we had that would make us want to come back and have again. It was all a bit unmemorable. I really want to give the place 2.5 but I'll bump it up because of the service and atmosphere.
(3)
Miryam S.
I was a regular and they even have a drink called the "Miryam" there. The service is wonderful and the bartenders are great people. Make sure you have Kate make you a drink. She will make you something delicious and give you a warm smile for free. Tell her Miryam sent you :)
(5)
M C.
Hi had the pleasure of dining here this past weekend for the first time to celebrate my parents 31st Anniversary and boy did we have a fabulous time! The waitstaff is amazing and management is superior! The new general manager Mike or Matt (can't exactly remember his name, probably due to the fact I had a strong delicious drink that night) was so gracious, he walked around from table to table making his presence known in the restaurant and showing that he truly valued the diners, I even saw him carrying a diners coat to the table. At the end of dinner he sent out a complementary anniversary desert for my parents and complemented them on being married for so long! Food was very delicious as well, I had the prosciutto and arugula pizza, so good, portion was large enough for me to have leftovers the next day! So glad we picked this place for my families special dinner, I look forward to dining here in the future!
(5)
Michael G.
I have eaten here five times or so and look forward to returning. The food here was good; I had the best pork chop I have ever had (outside of more haute cuisine versions such as at Alinea and Spiaggia in Chicago). On my second visit I had a Tuna steak that was good but not special. The fruits of the sea appetizer platter was good but there was way more of the mundane fried calamari than of the more interesting things. My wife's duck ragu was very nice. They do not offer fresh-brewed iced-tea. I will mark down any restaurant above a fast food restaurant that doesn't offer that. On the other hand, I have been happy with their wines. As for the reviewers who did not like Zazio's decor, all I have to say is it is contemporary; for what it is, it works. If you don't like it, go someplace else and don't complain.
(4)
John P.
My wife and I chose Zazio's to celebrate our first anniversary because we KNOW the service is outstanding, the food is authentic, and the environment is unlike any in town. Little did we know our good friend and bartender Kate had something else in mind...something that will forever set the standards for culinary and service excellence in our mind. We walked into the restaurant, and as usual were greeted by the lovely Shawdy who's warm smile set the mood for our entire evening. We walked through the restaurant, watched the kitchen prepare their artistic masterpieces in a style befitting a culinary symphony, and made our way to the bar. Before we walked into the lounge, Shawdy stopped us only to direct us into a small wine room that had been elegantly furnished with a small table decorated with rose petals, candles, a beautiful flower arrangement, a personalized card, champagne glasses, and most importantly walls lined with perfectly placed wine bottles that gave this room a subtle romantic appeal unlike anything we've ever experienced. To this married man, there is nothing more important or satisfying than knowing my bride is happy...when I looked at her, saw her beautiful eyes welling up with tears, I knew she was overwhelmed with happiness and touched because the attention to detail and beauty of the room Kate had set up for us. The most beautiful part of this story is that I didn't do any of this; Kate, Shawdy, and Zazio's had done this without our knowledge and completely blew our minds, but more importantly they made ME look like a rockstar...the only thing I did was choose the most perfect restaurant for our special occasion; you have truly set the culinary standard in Kalamazoo higher than anyone else. Thank you Zazio's for making our first anniversary more memorable than we ever expected.
(5)
Jennifer S.
YUCK! come ON. eating hotel food should have quality food, but i'm super grossed out. this place is inside the radisson... what is going on???? the restaurant serves italian food, or fake @$$ italian, more or less... kalamazoo, u have disappointed me BIG TIME! both times, both nights, one night at burdicks and one night at zazios.. ouch! so not worth it! considering that this is a hotel, there was free parking. ordered 2 fruitinis because the first one was whack. -purple lamborghini (tasted more like a freakin FORD TAURUS or a CIVIC to me). vodka, grape pucker, sour and sprite. i swear, it tasted like cough medicine. -dangerous : yes, def dangerous because it was soo yummy, this, i give a 5, but because overall it was whack, i'm sorry, zazios deserves a 1.5. (pearbay, midori, pineapple, sprite, apple pucker) now the food, both YUCK... -chitarra (square cut spaghetto, shrimp, zucchini, tomato, basil, garlic, w/white wine suace w/extra sauce of virgin oil) $18. -brodetto (sea scallops, shrimp, mussels, calamari, sword fish) $25, sounds YUMMY rite? i swear, for you seafood whores.. but honestly, it was YUCK!
(1)
Erin C.
Totally overrated. Prices like you are in Chicago, quality like you are at a hotel in Kalamazoo. We ordered wine and we sent it back. Had to get another bottle. The dinners were so-so, but not for all the hype we heard about awesome this place was. It was summer so we sat outside, which was really nice. Update 8/10: Came back here this past week. Not so bad and am giving them an extra star. I tried the seafood risotto this time, which was decent. It looked a little weird and was a bit salty. I agree with Jacey S that they are trying to serve Italian, but it just doesn't work. I did really enjoy the cheese plate though...
(3)
Ruth S.
I have been here 4 times, each time as uninspiring as the time before. The service is good, the food bland. I just wish they put as much effort into making the food as they do into describing it. Less flash, more quality and they would be packed every night
(2)
Rachel L.
Pretty solid for Kalamazoo. Decent food/service, good location (located in the Radisson), and colorful contemporary interior. Good bread (from Sarkozy's), hummus spread, and awesome mango sorbet.
(3)
Christopher M.
I rarely write reviews on yelp, but, I'll make an exception for this place. The food is uninspired, the wine list is eh, the service is slightly above average. We won't be returning to Zazios.
(2)
Sue S.
I have never had a bad meal here, have gone many times. The pasta with duck is my favorite. Everyone in our party always enjoys their meal. Service is always pleasant and prompt.
(4)
Bob S.
While family was in town we wanted to experience the chefs table at Zazios since we are all foodies in our group. Well the food was fantastic. The wine pairings were excellent too. If you haven't been, it works like this. Chef Joe picks a region of Italy to feature in his recipes each month. We went when he was featuring Liguria, a region we have visited and loved. This is where Cinque Terre is located, so seafood was a featured part of the meal. While keeping with the Italian theme Chef Joe also focuses on using local and fresh ingredients. So it's a blend of Italy with local foods from the farmers market and other local growers. We even saw Chef Joe at the Farmers market the next day. Our meal was fantastic. I loved the smaller portions focused on rich flavors and several elements and courses. The chicken and risotto were my favorites. The pace was measured not hurried and we had plenty of time to ask questions and learn about what he was cooking and why. I would recommend you try it too.
(5)
Gary D.
Great service. We had the most pleasant server, her name is Katie. She was very knowledgeable, friendly helpful but not in an over bearing way. Ask for her if you can. Food was good, started with shrimp & calamari which was interesting. The calamari was fine but the shrimp in there was like fried shrimp spears, strange. 2 of us had side salads which were fine & we also had the sea bass which was great. The third member of our party had seafood soup that's like a copino, said it was ok. They have a really good wine list & several craft beers on the drink menu. This place was better than expected for Kalamazoo.
(4)
Gar B.
I want sure about this place but a colleague recommended that I give it a go. The restaurant is lovely and the service is fantastic but I just wasn't mad about the food. I ordered two sides, garlicky broccoli and brussel sprouts, as well as a pizza. The pizza was delicious but dripping in oil and fat from the sausage. I could barely pick up the broccoli with my work it was that overcooked, same goes for the brussels sprouts. Maybe I didn't order very well, I've heard the pastas are delicious. I'll be back to try something different.
(3)
Matthew D.
Amazing food and gluten free options. The waiter hadn't heard of the drink I ordered so they googled it and it was perfect.
(5)
Chris W.
The chef's table is an amazing experience! John has nailed real Italian and does a great job with the guest. I love the food!!!!!
(5)
Michael S.
Brought a date for her birthday. Bright, but cool atmosphere. The table was set and candles lit for a man who was going to propose to a woman but she never showed. Bummer of a story, but I appreciated the ambient mood setting nonetheless. Food was excellent. I had the braised beef shortrib and she had the chicken tortelli. Well prepared, presented nicely, and tasted great. We finished with the chocolate sampler platter dessert. Again, very nicely presented and was so sweet and good. I was very happy they wrote happy birthday in chocolate on the plate. Nice touch and made my date very happy. I will definitely come back to try other dishes.
(4)
Kat S.
I had my rehearsal dinner here and the service was awesome. The food was beyond delicious, especially the dessert. The atmosphere was beautiful and my guests loved it.
(5)
Larry H.
One of our favorite restaurants in the Kalamazoo area. Love the atmosphere the food is top notch , portions are a little small but all in all a great place for a quiet night out. If you have some spare cash and spare time for dinner try the chefs table, the food was amazing and it was a lot of fun.
(4)
Natalie K.
Wow. This place is absolutely delicious! I had the broccoli cream soup, Cesar Salad and Brussel Spouts. So so amazing. The rest of their food looks delicious too. I can't wait to try more tomorrow. Also. The service is A++
(5)
Jan S.
I go to Zazios any time I can find a reason..meeting, birthday whatever. Love their menu and it does change. Actually the chef came to our group and we requested a dish and he prepared it. Have been to the chefs table a few times and that is lots of fun too especially for your group events
(5)
Faith B.
Great service, great food. An excellent choice for a celebratory meal. Loved the burrata appetizer and the delmonico steak...the steak was tender and well seasoned, and the side of gnocchi was some of the best gnocchi I've ever had--not heavy at all and good flavor. The duck breast was also a winner. For dessert, out favorite was the chocolate tasting, which was enough for two to three people. Our server, Deidre, was prompt, informative, and friendly yet professional. Highly recommend this place for a special occasion meal.
(5)
Kevin K.
better service this time but. lost desert order but did comp the desert charge. food along the price of high end Chicago restaurant. food good but not 5* Chairs too low for the new tables, but never fear "We have new chairs on order". they did supply cushions like a booster seat . Oh My.
(4)
Lindsay D.
Favorite restaurant in Kzoo. Outstanding service, outstanding food. We've done the Chef's Table a few times, have always supremely enjoyed it - the experience, the food, etc. Mostly we just go for dinner. They're always busy, but we've never had a wait. And we've NEVER had a bad meal... and we've probably eaten most of the menu :) The delmonico is delicious; the chicken is simple but outstanding; the scallops are perfect; the short ribs are ridiculous; the agnolotti ravioli is WHY WE COME. The desserts are delicious... we've been known to order one to split, and once finished, order a second! The burrata appetizers we've had are fantastic. And cannot even convey how much we love all the waitstaff who've served us. Just all around absolutely love this place.
(5)
Grant M.
The food was terrible. My pasta dish, penne w/ sausage and peppers, was more like a bowl of soup. Sauce was watered down and had no flavor, sausage was bland, and noodles were overcooked. The hostess and wait staff were very nice and capable and offered me something else, however, I declined and instead asked for the check. The chef (reluctant to call him that) was subpar.
(1)
Patrick M.
Marginal food at prices that are a bit high for Kalamazoo. Perhaps it would be convenient if you are staying at the attached Radisson hotel, but otherwise it's a pass.
(2)
Boon K.
Very nice staff and great service as everyone seem to know each other in this town. I must say the stand out dish was the scallops and I thought the pork belly was nice and crispy but I love the savory favors of the scallops. I also like that they do half portion pasta and I had to go for the ink squid pasta which was good too.
(4)
Lydia R.
Dined at Zazio's three times. The first time, I had scallops, which were delicious. The second time, I had the quail, which was very gamey, but the death by chocolate dessert made up for the strange after taste. The third time, I got food poisoning. Each time we went, the service worsened. Not to mention, everything on the menu is very overpriced. My advice: avoid like the plague (unless you're down with the sickness).
(1)
Antonio O.
Excellent meal, our server josh was extremely knowledgeable and very personable. The manager matt delivered our entrees and spoke with us for a few minutes about up coming menu changes and wine selections. He was very nice and made our experience much more personal. This is the best meal in Kalamazoo by leaps and bounds, and the staff completes the experience.
(5)
Teri S.
Have had some good dinners here and some mediocre dinners here. Tonight we tried the chef's table. Pricey with wine pairing. Food was fabulous. Wine was good, but perhaps too much. I would do food without wine and enjoy 1 glass for all. I am a wine drinker but not an afficiando. Everything I ate was palate pleasing and some so divine! CHEF Joe did great. Seems like a lot of talk about Chef John, but Joe is really awesome too.
(4)
Dustin L.
Food is very good and service was excellent. Although it is a bit pricey (most entrees are $20-30) it is a good place to go for a special occasion. Use the complementary valley service if you go.
I was shocked to see an averaged 3-star rating for Zazios! Why I love it: -- It has a fun, bright interior that is still very classy. -- A great martini list (I've never had a bad one) -- and a good drinks list in general -- You can get smaller portions of dishes on the menu (e.g., if you're not super hungry or if you want to try multiple things) -- Service the ~4 times I've been here has always been superb -- Their chefs do cooking demonstrations! I've never been but have watched over my shoulder while dining there. Looks great. -- The food I've ordered (usually pasta, soup) has always been wonderful. Fun, great restaurant with its own personality!
(5)
T D.
What started out as a great evening, soon fizzled into less than mediocre. The waitstaff was very attentive at first, but once our appetizers were delivered, the service declined and the food was disappointing. I ordered the "pasta for my wife"--which looked great on the menu, but it was not prepared in the true Italian style. The broccoli rabe, which was supposed to be prepared with the leaves and tender stems, had mostly the tough bottom stems, which were very chewy. The pasta was also underdone. Disappointing. The eggplant dish was bland. The romaine salad was also disappointing. The cappuccino was lukewarm and had no foam. The guests who asked for American coffee got it about 10 minutes after the cappuccino. We were also given a large pot of hot water by the waitress for no apparent reason, since no one had ordered tea. The people who ordered the death by chocolate dessert said that some of the items were excellent, but others were bland. We had ordered 2 of them, and one item was missing on the second order.
(2)
Ben F.
My wife and I had an exceptional meal at Zazio's this past Saturday. They were slammed,with the local areas proms and Western Michigan's graduation ceremonies taking place. They were able to accommodate us in the lounge and there was not loss of service. I enjoyed the Halibut, which was phenomenal. We did not have an opportunity to try any desert as we were running late to the play Wicked, however the Cheese Sampler with 2 glasses of Mission Pointe Riesling hit the mark. Enjoy!
(5)
Sunil S.
I grew up in Kalamazoo, and this isn't like the Kalamazoo I knew growing up. I haven't lived there in about 10 years, living in large metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Minneapolis and now Washington, DC. Zazio's is a solid restaurant with good quality that you would find in any of the large cities across this country, without the outrageous prices. I only vet my whereabouts to substantiate that Zazio's definitely has a flare that you don't find elsewhere in the city and is on a level comparable to the nice restaurants you may find in Chicago and New York City. I was a regular here every time I come back to Kalamazoo. The chef himself is a renowned chef from Chicago and the five-course meal that he offers as a cooking show for about $100 is definitely worth it. They also teach you on pairing wines with the dishes which is pretty good. Zazio's has three primary settings; an outdoor patio seating, lounge seating and more in the restaurant area. I believe also recently next to the lounge and bar, there is also some new private seating that has since been built in the past 2 years. As far as drinks: You have a full-service bar. They also offer some specials where you can get half-off martinis on Thursday night (regular cost is $8). Quality of drinks are also pretty good and are otherwise decently priced as well. The ambiance is pretty good. Many of the people who attend, especially on the Thursday half-off Martini specials, are college students and young grad students. For a city of its size and proximity to two colleges, you have a reasonable young professional population in their 20s. I say this respectfully, because I do acknowledge having lived in cities outside of Michigan, they have a much larger population of young professionals. Granted, this may just be a reflection of what you and everyone already knows with the state of Michigan's economy. Nevertheless, this also speaks to the impressive quality that you would find in Zazio's, something you may not otherwise expect-- this cannot be understated. Parking is above average for a downtown area. Given that it's Kalamazoo, you can find some pretty decent parking around on the streets adjacent to the downtown area if you want to hunt for it. There is also an adjacent parking lot that you can park at for under $5 I believe as well. If you've relocated to Kalamazoo from a large city and either haven't found a place yet in Kalamazoo you would like, or are looking at Yelp reviews, Zazio's is a definite endorsement.
(4)
Jason C.
Way overpriced. Desserts are amazing. Atmosphere is cool. Value is very low. Portions are small and taste is OK, but you can get as good tasting of food for much less in the area.
(3)
Jenny R.
I have had better for the price. My soup was pretty good it was artichoke and asparagus but needed something like croutons was just too rich to eat the whole bowl alone I shared. My friend had a Caesar salad that was the opposite I had a bite and felt guilty it was good but you got very little for the money. I had the duck ragu and gnocchi it was very good but I got the big bowl and again it was very heavy I could not eat it all. My friend got a shrimp dish which unless you ask they leave the heads on (gross) and it came with a bread salad it needed more tomatoes or something it seemed to be all croutons (made me wish they not wasted them there and put them in my soup!) For dessert I got the panna cotta and my friend got the tiramisu both exceedingly good I was not over the moon about the blueberries on the panna cotta and did not eat most of them but they were just taking away from the sweet creamy basil goodness that was really the star of the panna cotta.
(3)
J K.
Ambitious shot at higher-end Italian falls a bit short. Kudos for trying to bring an interesting, modern Italian dining experience to Kalamazoo, but the execution isn't quite there. The steak was decent, the mixed grill was a bit dry and disappointing, and the pasta dishes were only OK. It does look like they might have added some more pasta options and the place was promising enough that I'd be willing to give it another try the next time I'm in town. Service was pretty good. The higher prices reflect their upscale aspirations so the value's just not there. Location is convenient to the Radisson and downtown.
(3)
Russ K.
Great Italian dinning. I wonder where those who have written less favorable reviews dine!
(5)
Sheila G.
We went to Zazios to celebrate my sons's graduation from Western and totally enjoyed our evening. We were immediately greeted and shown our seats. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. Two of us ended up ordering the special, Halibut on recommendation of the server. It was outstanding. The desserts were just as good as the dinner. The server, who asked why we were there, even made sure that his dessert said congratulations. I would highly recommend.
(5)
Amber L.
Reading all these subpar reviews, I have to wonder if we all really went to the same restaurant. Zazios is located in the Radisson hotel. They have another location in Birmingham. This place is more upscale, so you should expect their prices to reflect that. The hostesses were a little snobby when we arrived, but otherwise our normal server was great. I see a lot of people don't like the decor. I actually really liked it a lot. The interior was bright, vibrant, and modern. I thought the color schemes worked well together. It was like a breath of fresh air from more "normal" restaurants. The menu is modern Italian. If you want traditional, go to Mangia Mangia down the street. I was really happy with everything I ordered. First we got a cheese plate consisting of figs, apples, pecorino tartufo (hard cheese, great flavor), fresh buffalo mozzarella (melt-in-your mouth heavenly), and taleggio (melting cheese, just wanted to try it). We also ordered the herbed polenta appetizer and it was very creamy and good. My husband ended up getting the polletto. The chicken and cauliflower/winter squash puree was very tasty. I got the cappellacchi because I loooove butternut squash/pumpkin ravioli. It did not disappoint. Probably the best type of that dish that I have ever had. Finally, we got the desserts with several types of chocolates (forget what it was called) and the panna cotta. All of the chocolate was very good. The panna cotta was also very good with the pistachio cake. Overall, the meal was wonderful. I have absolutely no complaints about the food. I have to say that I have been to restaurants that were even more fancy-pants and higher-priced than Zazios and have been more disappointed with the food. So I don't think it was a bad trade. I had a very enjoyable evening and I will definitely be back.
(5)
Mick B.
We only had cocktails in the Martini bar in the rear of the restaurant (no dining). I appreciated the valet parking at the nearby Radisson hotel, which if you present your claim check or parking stub Zazios will pay for your parking up to 2 hours. The contemporary "round table" style in the lounge and comfortable chairs were relaxing and appreciated- it's too bad that there wasn't something with eye appeal to look at out of the big picture windows that we were seated next to, but that's the fault of the Michigan economy and not Zazios. I noticed that other reviewers complained about the decor, but I liked the bright and eye-catching colors used. I am sure that the intent was to be vibrant and fun rather than just another dull me-too place for dinner. We all ordered Martinis which were surprisingly large, service was quick and friendly; any questions we had were answered efficiently. The drinks were a bit pricey, but I feel it's typical of hotel and downtown based businesses to charge a little more thinking that they have a captive audience. I could see walking through the restaurant that the intention is to offer intimate dining for couples, possibly before a night of dancing or a show. I hope that parents have the good sense to not bring young children here to spoil a romantic evening for someone! Overall I had a great experience and would certainly visit again next time that I am in town.
(3)
Velina L.
One of the better restaurants I've been to in Michigan, Zazios serves fresh italian food in a fun environment. The dining room is decorated with bright colors, which usually puts me in a good mood. I only come out here with my coworkers and given the ridiculous hours we put in, it's not often we make it out to K-zoo but since it was my last week coming out to Michigan, I made them all come out with me. This was actually the first restaurant in Kalamazoo that I went to, and is probably my favorite of the ones I've been to (Fandango's and Sushi-ya are also pretty good). Service was very friendly and helpful, and they even offered us a tour of the kitchen, which I took full advantage of. During the tour, they gave us chunks of cheese freshly cut from the giant wheel of grana padano, showed us the pasta machine where they pour all the ingredients for the dough and wait for the pieces of pasta, cut to the desired length, to be cut. The wine list contains mostly italian wines, although there are some selections of new world wines as well. They also have an interesting drink list, including "dessertinis", which can offer a sweet ending to the meal. The menu is pretty extensive, with a selection of antipasti, freshly made pasta, meats and fish, and tastings of mozzarella, prosciutto, or olive oil. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share, and our own entrees, but unfortunately didn't have room for dessert. - Fritti Misto: Crispy battered and fried shrimp, calamari, and thin squash and zucchini slices served with a marinara sauce and an aioli. A little too much batter for my liking, but I liked how everything stayed crunchy. - Roasted asparagus with burratta and olive oil: I love burratta so I naturally gravitated toward this seasonal appetizer. The asparagus were sweet, fresh, and very large, and paired very well with the mild creamy flavor of the cheese. - Seared scallops with parmesan and truffle-balsamic vinaigrette: Probably my favorite appetizer, the scallops were not at all overcooked or rubbery, and I love the balanced flavor of truffle oil and balsamic vinegar. - Mozzarella tasting: 2 types of mozzarella, burrata, sundried grape tomatos, marinated red sweet red peppers, and basil- always a good combination. - Handmade garganelli pasta with prosciutto, peas, and a cream sauce: Surprising light for a creamy pasta dish, I really liked the texture of the pasta. Overall, their pastas are relatively simple but the freshness gives them a great mouthfeel. - Rib-eye with gnocchi: Cooked to a perfect, juicy medium rare, the steak was perfectly complemented with the tender gnocchi in a gorgonzola cream sauce. The gnocchi was the best thing on the plate. - Roast chicken with crispy artichokes: Light, juicy, but slightly overcooked. Not my favorite, but not too bad. I'm definitely glad that we came here- after 24 months of Applebee's and Wendy's in Battle Creek, this was quite a treat!
(4)
Rob P.
Fabulous service. Food was good and prompt. Waitresses were courteous, knowledgeable, attentive, and proficient. I liked the atmosphere too.
(5)
Gary S.
Maybe it's because the chef worked in Chicago, but as a long-time Chicagoan I really appreciated the approach to food taken at Zazio's.
(5)
Chris E.
Bright interior, but a bit noisy. The waiter called us, "you two." That irritated me for some reason. The soup was extremely rich (with pools of oil visible on the surface) and the entre was tasteless. The only good part of the meal was the vegetable side of brussel sprouts. I've had better.
(2)
alejandro p.
They played Tom Waits when I was here. How cool is that? This was one of the most enjoyable 'fancy' dining experiences I've had in Kalamazoo. My pasta dish was bursting with flavor--and, since I had asked the waiter about the vegetarian appetizer options he made sure the sauce on my dish was also meat-free. Sounds like they're sourcing from local farms and keeping things fresh. Sure, the prices add up when dining with a family but your money is better spent locally than at some chain like Olive Garden, and the difference in quality shows.
(4)
charlie a.
Cool atmosphere, lively service. Interesting menu.....WORST FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!! I tired it twice and both times it was brutally bad!!!! Can't believe they are in business
(1)
Heather R.
I loved the atmosphere at Zazios! GREAT Italian food. My boyfriend took me to the Chef's Table for my birthday dinner and it was the perfect present. So cool to see a cooking demonstration by Chef John. I had the Potato Gnocchi which was melt-in-my-mouth AMAZING. They also have a great selection of wine. I would definitely recommend Zazios for a fun night out in Kalamazoo!
(3)
Kit C.
Good food trumps slow service. Varied modern Italian menu, with everything from salad, pizza, to steak. The butternut squash ravioli is heavenly. I highly recommend it. Roast chicken was dull and dry. Braised short ribs were huge and hearty. like homey pot roast. The service and hostess staff are very very nice and welcoming. The problem is you will wait a long time to get your food after ordering. It can also takes a very long time to get serviced while waiting for your meal.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : Yes Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Cathleen H.
I have been to Zazios numerous times. A friend and I went for dinner prior to the "Style and Stroll" event 10/7/10 in downtown Kalamazoo benefitting the Susan Komen Fund. My friend had never been, and I had been raving about a particular server (who has since moved to Birmingham and is at the new Zazios there). Josh asked us if we had ever been to Zazios before. When my friend answered this was her first time, he said, "if more people came, we could lower the prices." That was an unprompted interesting comment for a server to make, particularly since nothing had been said about the price structure of the menu. Because of the Style and Stroll event, each participating restaurant had designed a new "pink martini." Josh could not tell us what was in Zazio's martini. He did, upon request, make some pasta recommendations that were most appropriate. However, I don't think it's appropriate for a restaurant of this quality to not train their servers to remove dirty plates in between selections. I believe we had to ask at least three times for Josh to remove dirty plates from the table....the last time was before our dessert was ordered. I expect plates to be left on the table at a "family diner", not Zazios. As regards the decor, it's delightful and whimsical and part of the reason I like Zazio's so much (and excuse me, but the references to "hotel" restaurants has got to be from someone unused to dining in large cities, ie., Chicago or NYC, where many of the best restaurants are linked to hotels). A little training touch up is all our server needs and he should make the grade next time, as I won't let this deter me from enjoying one of my favorite dining spots in Kalamazoo.
(4)Lauren W.
The decor reminds me of a cruise ship but it didn't disturb me like some of the other reviewers. The food was actually really good Italian food. I appreciate the half order option because I can never eat a full entree myself. The half order allowed me to also enjoy a little nutrition, a salad. I noticed that most reviewers felt that Zazio's was too expensive. I thought it was a little pricey for a hotel restaurant but I'm used to paying a little more for good Italian food. I thought their wine by the glass list was pretty extensive and they carry my FAVORITE red so I was pleased! If I'm back in KZoo for work I will probably come here again. It's convenient when you're staying at the hotel. All in all, good meal, good wine, a little expensive and I felt like I was on a cruise ship = 3 stars.
(3)Maria D.
I hate to have to write such a poor review of a local restaurant being that I'm Kalamazoo born and bred but this dining experience was incredibly disappointing. In fact, the only positive part of the meal was the waitress, bread, and drinks....although my sister and I had to send back our dirty martinis twice because they tasted bad and even on try three we were not totally satisfied. The appetizers were ok, however the cheese board looked thrown together with what appeared to be what ever was left over, some sort of fig spread and apples, the presentation was sad. The salads to follow were withered not crisp, as it stares in the menu. The Romano salad was presented with almost yellow withering leaves, a stack of cheese and what I was told were roasted red peppers looked old and tasted awful. The other salads had beets that were translucent and unpleasant to the eye. The main course was more than underwhelming, we had the quail which came on a plate of all brown foods, terrible plating, sloppy in fact. The tuna was salty and not prepared properly. My fathers dish I suppose was ok but over all the meal was a bust. I feel in part guilty for the review as I've met the head chef, sat at the chefs table and understand the concept is good, fresh, Italian food. I know he even travels to Italy and is a genius in the kitchen but it's time to step away from the travels and presentations and check the line. This was our family's Christmas dinner and my fathers birthday celebration, it was a huge let down. We definitely overpaid for the meal and left wondering if the fare at Burdick's would have been a better choice. I hope things change because Zazios used to be a favorite but last night was and maybe the last time I dine there.
(1)Jason W.
Had a fantastic Chef's Table meal prepared by Sous Chef Stefan while we watched. These folks put an emphasis on using local ingredients and to me that's important. There doesn't seem to be that "hotel markup" on the pricing that you'd expect to see given the location. You get what you pay for - quality ingredients, quality preparations. To me, the price paid is fair. Looking forward to going back.
(5)Mrs B.
It was good but nothing fantastic. Perhaps living in Phoenix for the past eight years has spoiled my taste buds as well as my expectations, but this place just misses the mark. My parents took me here for my birthday dinner and we tried everything. For apps we ordered the Cheese Tasting, Fritto Misto, Steamed Mussels, and the Crisp Pork Belly. They were all decent except the Calamari and shrimp were a greasy, soggy mess. For dinner I ordered the Delmonico which was cooked properly. My boyfriend ordered the Veal Parmigiana which he seemed to be happy with, and my parents ordered the Sea Bass and the Seafood Spaghetti. There were no complaints but I know there was nothing we had that would make us want to come back and have again. It was all a bit unmemorable. I really want to give the place 2.5 but I'll bump it up because of the service and atmosphere.
(3)Miryam S.
I was a regular and they even have a drink called the "Miryam" there. The service is wonderful and the bartenders are great people. Make sure you have Kate make you a drink. She will make you something delicious and give you a warm smile for free. Tell her Miryam sent you :)
(5)M C.
Hi had the pleasure of dining here this past weekend for the first time to celebrate my parents 31st Anniversary and boy did we have a fabulous time! The waitstaff is amazing and management is superior! The new general manager Mike or Matt (can't exactly remember his name, probably due to the fact I had a strong delicious drink that night) was so gracious, he walked around from table to table making his presence known in the restaurant and showing that he truly valued the diners, I even saw him carrying a diners coat to the table. At the end of dinner he sent out a complementary anniversary desert for my parents and complemented them on being married for so long! Food was very delicious as well, I had the prosciutto and arugula pizza, so good, portion was large enough for me to have leftovers the next day! So glad we picked this place for my families special dinner, I look forward to dining here in the future!
(5)Michael G.
I have eaten here five times or so and look forward to returning. The food here was good; I had the best pork chop I have ever had (outside of more haute cuisine versions such as at Alinea and Spiaggia in Chicago). On my second visit I had a Tuna steak that was good but not special. The fruits of the sea appetizer platter was good but there was way more of the mundane fried calamari than of the more interesting things. My wife's duck ragu was very nice. They do not offer fresh-brewed iced-tea. I will mark down any restaurant above a fast food restaurant that doesn't offer that. On the other hand, I have been happy with their wines. As for the reviewers who did not like Zazio's decor, all I have to say is it is contemporary; for what it is, it works. If you don't like it, go someplace else and don't complain.
(4)John P.
My wife and I chose Zazio's to celebrate our first anniversary because we KNOW the service is outstanding, the food is authentic, and the environment is unlike any in town. Little did we know our good friend and bartender Kate had something else in mind...something that will forever set the standards for culinary and service excellence in our mind. We walked into the restaurant, and as usual were greeted by the lovely Shawdy who's warm smile set the mood for our entire evening. We walked through the restaurant, watched the kitchen prepare their artistic masterpieces in a style befitting a culinary symphony, and made our way to the bar. Before we walked into the lounge, Shawdy stopped us only to direct us into a small wine room that had been elegantly furnished with a small table decorated with rose petals, candles, a beautiful flower arrangement, a personalized card, champagne glasses, and most importantly walls lined with perfectly placed wine bottles that gave this room a subtle romantic appeal unlike anything we've ever experienced. To this married man, there is nothing more important or satisfying than knowing my bride is happy...when I looked at her, saw her beautiful eyes welling up with tears, I knew she was overwhelmed with happiness and touched because the attention to detail and beauty of the room Kate had set up for us. The most beautiful part of this story is that I didn't do any of this; Kate, Shawdy, and Zazio's had done this without our knowledge and completely blew our minds, but more importantly they made ME look like a rockstar...the only thing I did was choose the most perfect restaurant for our special occasion; you have truly set the culinary standard in Kalamazoo higher than anyone else. Thank you Zazio's for making our first anniversary more memorable than we ever expected.
(5)Jennifer S.
YUCK! come ON. eating hotel food should have quality food, but i'm super grossed out. this place is inside the radisson... what is going on???? the restaurant serves italian food, or fake @$$ italian, more or less... kalamazoo, u have disappointed me BIG TIME! both times, both nights, one night at burdicks and one night at zazios.. ouch! so not worth it! considering that this is a hotel, there was free parking. ordered 2 fruitinis because the first one was whack. -purple lamborghini (tasted more like a freakin FORD TAURUS or a CIVIC to me). vodka, grape pucker, sour and sprite. i swear, it tasted like cough medicine. -dangerous : yes, def dangerous because it was soo yummy, this, i give a 5, but because overall it was whack, i'm sorry, zazios deserves a 1.5. (pearbay, midori, pineapple, sprite, apple pucker) now the food, both YUCK... -chitarra (square cut spaghetto, shrimp, zucchini, tomato, basil, garlic, w/white wine suace w/extra sauce of virgin oil) $18. -brodetto (sea scallops, shrimp, mussels, calamari, sword fish) $25, sounds YUMMY rite? i swear, for you seafood whores.. but honestly, it was YUCK!
(1)Erin C.
Totally overrated. Prices like you are in Chicago, quality like you are at a hotel in Kalamazoo. We ordered wine and we sent it back. Had to get another bottle. The dinners were so-so, but not for all the hype we heard about awesome this place was. It was summer so we sat outside, which was really nice. Update 8/10: Came back here this past week. Not so bad and am giving them an extra star. I tried the seafood risotto this time, which was decent. It looked a little weird and was a bit salty. I agree with Jacey S that they are trying to serve Italian, but it just doesn't work. I did really enjoy the cheese plate though...
(3)Ruth S.
I have been here 4 times, each time as uninspiring as the time before. The service is good, the food bland. I just wish they put as much effort into making the food as they do into describing it. Less flash, more quality and they would be packed every night
(2)Rachel L.
Pretty solid for Kalamazoo. Decent food/service, good location (located in the Radisson), and colorful contemporary interior. Good bread (from Sarkozy's), hummus spread, and awesome mango sorbet.
(3)Christopher M.
I rarely write reviews on yelp, but, I'll make an exception for this place. The food is uninspired, the wine list is eh, the service is slightly above average. We won't be returning to Zazios.
(2)Sue S.
I have never had a bad meal here, have gone many times. The pasta with duck is my favorite. Everyone in our party always enjoys their meal. Service is always pleasant and prompt.
(4)Bob S.
While family was in town we wanted to experience the chefs table at Zazios since we are all foodies in our group. Well the food was fantastic. The wine pairings were excellent too. If you haven't been, it works like this. Chef Joe picks a region of Italy to feature in his recipes each month. We went when he was featuring Liguria, a region we have visited and loved. This is where Cinque Terre is located, so seafood was a featured part of the meal. While keeping with the Italian theme Chef Joe also focuses on using local and fresh ingredients. So it's a blend of Italy with local foods from the farmers market and other local growers. We even saw Chef Joe at the Farmers market the next day. Our meal was fantastic. I loved the smaller portions focused on rich flavors and several elements and courses. The chicken and risotto were my favorites. The pace was measured not hurried and we had plenty of time to ask questions and learn about what he was cooking and why. I would recommend you try it too.
(5)Gary D.
Great service. We had the most pleasant server, her name is Katie. She was very knowledgeable, friendly helpful but not in an over bearing way. Ask for her if you can. Food was good, started with shrimp & calamari which was interesting. The calamari was fine but the shrimp in there was like fried shrimp spears, strange. 2 of us had side salads which were fine & we also had the sea bass which was great. The third member of our party had seafood soup that's like a copino, said it was ok. They have a really good wine list & several craft beers on the drink menu. This place was better than expected for Kalamazoo.
(4)Gar B.
I want sure about this place but a colleague recommended that I give it a go. The restaurant is lovely and the service is fantastic but I just wasn't mad about the food. I ordered two sides, garlicky broccoli and brussel sprouts, as well as a pizza. The pizza was delicious but dripping in oil and fat from the sausage. I could barely pick up the broccoli with my work it was that overcooked, same goes for the brussels sprouts. Maybe I didn't order very well, I've heard the pastas are delicious. I'll be back to try something different.
(3)Matthew D.
Amazing food and gluten free options. The waiter hadn't heard of the drink I ordered so they googled it and it was perfect.
(5)Chris W.
The chef's table is an amazing experience! John has nailed real Italian and does a great job with the guest. I love the food!!!!!
(5)Michael S.
Brought a date for her birthday. Bright, but cool atmosphere. The table was set and candles lit for a man who was going to propose to a woman but she never showed. Bummer of a story, but I appreciated the ambient mood setting nonetheless. Food was excellent. I had the braised beef shortrib and she had the chicken tortelli. Well prepared, presented nicely, and tasted great. We finished with the chocolate sampler platter dessert. Again, very nicely presented and was so sweet and good. I was very happy they wrote happy birthday in chocolate on the plate. Nice touch and made my date very happy. I will definitely come back to try other dishes.
(4)Kat S.
I had my rehearsal dinner here and the service was awesome. The food was beyond delicious, especially the dessert. The atmosphere was beautiful and my guests loved it.
(5)Larry H.
One of our favorite restaurants in the Kalamazoo area. Love the atmosphere the food is top notch , portions are a little small but all in all a great place for a quiet night out. If you have some spare cash and spare time for dinner try the chefs table, the food was amazing and it was a lot of fun.
(4)Natalie K.
Wow. This place is absolutely delicious! I had the broccoli cream soup, Cesar Salad and Brussel Spouts. So so amazing. The rest of their food looks delicious too. I can't wait to try more tomorrow. Also. The service is A++
(5)Jan S.
I go to Zazios any time I can find a reason..meeting, birthday whatever. Love their menu and it does change. Actually the chef came to our group and we requested a dish and he prepared it. Have been to the chefs table a few times and that is lots of fun too especially for your group events
(5)Faith B.
Great service, great food. An excellent choice for a celebratory meal. Loved the burrata appetizer and the delmonico steak...the steak was tender and well seasoned, and the side of gnocchi was some of the best gnocchi I've ever had--not heavy at all and good flavor. The duck breast was also a winner. For dessert, out favorite was the chocolate tasting, which was enough for two to three people. Our server, Deidre, was prompt, informative, and friendly yet professional. Highly recommend this place for a special occasion meal.
(5)Kevin K.
better service this time but. lost desert order but did comp the desert charge. food along the price of high end Chicago restaurant. food good but not 5* Chairs too low for the new tables, but never fear "We have new chairs on order". they did supply cushions like a booster seat . Oh My.
(4)Lindsay D.
Favorite restaurant in Kzoo. Outstanding service, outstanding food. We've done the Chef's Table a few times, have always supremely enjoyed it - the experience, the food, etc. Mostly we just go for dinner. They're always busy, but we've never had a wait. And we've NEVER had a bad meal... and we've probably eaten most of the menu :) The delmonico is delicious; the chicken is simple but outstanding; the scallops are perfect; the short ribs are ridiculous; the agnolotti ravioli is WHY WE COME. The desserts are delicious... we've been known to order one to split, and once finished, order a second! The burrata appetizers we've had are fantastic. And cannot even convey how much we love all the waitstaff who've served us. Just all around absolutely love this place.
(5)Grant M.
The food was terrible. My pasta dish, penne w/ sausage and peppers, was more like a bowl of soup. Sauce was watered down and had no flavor, sausage was bland, and noodles were overcooked. The hostess and wait staff were very nice and capable and offered me something else, however, I declined and instead asked for the check. The chef (reluctant to call him that) was subpar.
(1)Patrick M.
Marginal food at prices that are a bit high for Kalamazoo. Perhaps it would be convenient if you are staying at the attached Radisson hotel, but otherwise it's a pass.
(2)Boon K.
Very nice staff and great service as everyone seem to know each other in this town. I must say the stand out dish was the scallops and I thought the pork belly was nice and crispy but I love the savory favors of the scallops. I also like that they do half portion pasta and I had to go for the ink squid pasta which was good too.
(4)Lydia R.
Dined at Zazio's three times. The first time, I had scallops, which were delicious. The second time, I had the quail, which was very gamey, but the death by chocolate dessert made up for the strange after taste. The third time, I got food poisoning. Each time we went, the service worsened. Not to mention, everything on the menu is very overpriced. My advice: avoid like the plague (unless you're down with the sickness).
(1)Antonio O.
Excellent meal, our server josh was extremely knowledgeable and very personable. The manager matt delivered our entrees and spoke with us for a few minutes about up coming menu changes and wine selections. He was very nice and made our experience much more personal. This is the best meal in Kalamazoo by leaps and bounds, and the staff completes the experience.
(5)Teri S.
Have had some good dinners here and some mediocre dinners here. Tonight we tried the chef's table. Pricey with wine pairing. Food was fabulous. Wine was good, but perhaps too much. I would do food without wine and enjoy 1 glass for all. I am a wine drinker but not an afficiando. Everything I ate was palate pleasing and some so divine! CHEF Joe did great. Seems like a lot of talk about Chef John, but Joe is really awesome too.
(4)Dustin L.
Food is very good and service was excellent. Although it is a bit pricey (most entrees are $20-30) it is a good place to go for a special occasion. Use the complementary valley service if you go.
(4)James R.
I was pleasantly surprised at Zazio's. It's been a long time since I had a 5 star meal and I certainly didn't expect one here. The interior design is eclectic, modern and busy with dark tables and bright upholstery in varying hues, tempered with classic white linens. Tables are neither close nor distant and are larger than average in surface area. I find that a rarity in restaurants when owners and managers are presented with squeezing in another table - more tables is more money, after all/. Zazio's is a large place and they don't have that need which I found refreshing. In addition, the large open kitchen is visible from almost all area in the restaurant. All of the above were spotlessly clean. Servers continue the dark/bright scheme with uniforms of black with bright trim and a few with bright solids. Everyone was remarkably pleasant and genuinely enthusiastic about their job and worked great as a team. Food runners, server, hostess and other staff were well-times, unobtrusive and available without hovering. Service started with a delivery of fresh focaccia bread and a dish with olive oil, hummus and tapenade. I'm not one for hummus but this was light on the tahini and fairly good. The tapenade was briny with a rich, dark olive flavor. It may seem at first that the amounts are tiny, but a little goes a long way with this and the three of us at the table barely went through half of it. We trusted in our server and split a pizza for an appetizer; it would be good for one as an entrée. I don't recall the name as I did not look at it, but it had thin sliced ham and two cheeses. The cheese quality was fantastic and all the ingredients and flavors were in perfect balance. This little pizza was just delicious and I highly recommend it. I had an appetizer portion of the taleggio ravioli with truffle oil and asparagus tips for my main. It was truly an appetizer portion and the amount of 1" square ravioli were about equal to the amount of asparagus tips and dressed with just the right amount of the creamy sauce. Inside was truffle oil and cheese that was melted to a liquid that was the consistency of thick cream. It was unusual texturally but tasted just fine; I found it best to pair the ravioli one-to-one with the asparagus for best taste. The perfectionist in me would have liked the pasta a little more al dente but I'm going to put that down to the small size of the pasta, heat of the sauce and the difficulty of timing it with one of my friends' entrees. He ordered the duck breast with creamy polenta, greens, golden raisins and cranberries in a reduction. I am not much for duck, but this was the best duck I had ever had. Again, flavor balance, ingredient balance, perfect. The duck was ordered medium-rare and it was perfectly medium rare. He told me he didn't care much for the polenta, which usually means porridge but here was poured into a mold and baked. One bite, and again, best I've ever had. Paper-thin exterior crust with uniformly soft polenta inside, salted just right. You could pick it up and eat it with your hand and it would not fall apart, but it also remained tender and gentle in the mouth, just like it should be. I highly recommend this dish. The dessert menu was deep and exciting with a lot of options ranging from rich to light, fruit to chocolate, and hot to cold with traditional and exciting preparations I have rarely seen. Hats off, truly, as this is the only place I have been with both panna cotta and semifreddo on the menu, two underrepresented desserts in Italian restaurants - just having one would be respectable! Our orders were the tiramisu, the spumoni and I had the chocolate semifreddo. The semifreddo was constructed on a cookie and surrounded by a small amount of crème anglaise and a ring of chocolate sauce. It was light in flavor and of a good portion; very pleasant. My friend's "spumoni" was no less than an ice cream sundae topped with fruit, fresh made whipped cream, shelled and apparently roasted pistachios and garnished with a couple of mint leaves for décor. It looked great. The tiramisu was also of a good portion and declared good by our third dining companion. It even came with a scoop of coffe gelato that leaned toward the dry, coffee side of the equation rather than the sweet side. However, it seemed more like ice cream than gelato to me, so be aware. Zazio's staff, if you're reading this, great job. You deserve it. Should I find myself back in Kalamazoo, you place will be the first I go to. 5 stars.
(5)Pebbles And Bam Bam A.
I was shocked to see an averaged 3-star rating for Zazios! Why I love it: -- It has a fun, bright interior that is still very classy. -- A great martini list (I've never had a bad one) -- and a good drinks list in general -- You can get smaller portions of dishes on the menu (e.g., if you're not super hungry or if you want to try multiple things) -- Service the ~4 times I've been here has always been superb -- Their chefs do cooking demonstrations! I've never been but have watched over my shoulder while dining there. Looks great. -- The food I've ordered (usually pasta, soup) has always been wonderful. Fun, great restaurant with its own personality!
(5)T D.
What started out as a great evening, soon fizzled into less than mediocre. The waitstaff was very attentive at first, but once our appetizers were delivered, the service declined and the food was disappointing. I ordered the "pasta for my wife"--which looked great on the menu, but it was not prepared in the true Italian style. The broccoli rabe, which was supposed to be prepared with the leaves and tender stems, had mostly the tough bottom stems, which were very chewy. The pasta was also underdone. Disappointing. The eggplant dish was bland. The romaine salad was also disappointing. The cappuccino was lukewarm and had no foam. The guests who asked for American coffee got it about 10 minutes after the cappuccino. We were also given a large pot of hot water by the waitress for no apparent reason, since no one had ordered tea. The people who ordered the death by chocolate dessert said that some of the items were excellent, but others were bland. We had ordered 2 of them, and one item was missing on the second order.
(2)Ben F.
My wife and I had an exceptional meal at Zazio's this past Saturday. They were slammed,with the local areas proms and Western Michigan's graduation ceremonies taking place. They were able to accommodate us in the lounge and there was not loss of service. I enjoyed the Halibut, which was phenomenal. We did not have an opportunity to try any desert as we were running late to the play Wicked, however the Cheese Sampler with 2 glasses of Mission Pointe Riesling hit the mark. Enjoy!
(5)Sunil S.
I grew up in Kalamazoo, and this isn't like the Kalamazoo I knew growing up. I haven't lived there in about 10 years, living in large metropolitan areas such as Detroit, Minneapolis and now Washington, DC. Zazio's is a solid restaurant with good quality that you would find in any of the large cities across this country, without the outrageous prices. I only vet my whereabouts to substantiate that Zazio's definitely has a flare that you don't find elsewhere in the city and is on a level comparable to the nice restaurants you may find in Chicago and New York City. I was a regular here every time I come back to Kalamazoo. The chef himself is a renowned chef from Chicago and the five-course meal that he offers as a cooking show for about $100 is definitely worth it. They also teach you on pairing wines with the dishes which is pretty good. Zazio's has three primary settings; an outdoor patio seating, lounge seating and more in the restaurant area. I believe also recently next to the lounge and bar, there is also some new private seating that has since been built in the past 2 years. As far as drinks: You have a full-service bar. They also offer some specials where you can get half-off martinis on Thursday night (regular cost is $8). Quality of drinks are also pretty good and are otherwise decently priced as well. The ambiance is pretty good. Many of the people who attend, especially on the Thursday half-off Martini specials, are college students and young grad students. For a city of its size and proximity to two colleges, you have a reasonable young professional population in their 20s. I say this respectfully, because I do acknowledge having lived in cities outside of Michigan, they have a much larger population of young professionals. Granted, this may just be a reflection of what you and everyone already knows with the state of Michigan's economy. Nevertheless, this also speaks to the impressive quality that you would find in Zazio's, something you may not otherwise expect-- this cannot be understated. Parking is above average for a downtown area. Given that it's Kalamazoo, you can find some pretty decent parking around on the streets adjacent to the downtown area if you want to hunt for it. There is also an adjacent parking lot that you can park at for under $5 I believe as well. If you've relocated to Kalamazoo from a large city and either haven't found a place yet in Kalamazoo you would like, or are looking at Yelp reviews, Zazio's is a definite endorsement.
(4)Jason C.
Way overpriced. Desserts are amazing. Atmosphere is cool. Value is very low. Portions are small and taste is OK, but you can get as good tasting of food for much less in the area.
(3)Jenny R.
I have had better for the price. My soup was pretty good it was artichoke and asparagus but needed something like croutons was just too rich to eat the whole bowl alone I shared. My friend had a Caesar salad that was the opposite I had a bite and felt guilty it was good but you got very little for the money. I had the duck ragu and gnocchi it was very good but I got the big bowl and again it was very heavy I could not eat it all. My friend got a shrimp dish which unless you ask they leave the heads on (gross) and it came with a bread salad it needed more tomatoes or something it seemed to be all croutons (made me wish they not wasted them there and put them in my soup!) For dessert I got the panna cotta and my friend got the tiramisu both exceedingly good I was not over the moon about the blueberries on the panna cotta and did not eat most of them but they were just taking away from the sweet creamy basil goodness that was really the star of the panna cotta.
(3)J K.
Ambitious shot at higher-end Italian falls a bit short. Kudos for trying to bring an interesting, modern Italian dining experience to Kalamazoo, but the execution isn't quite there. The steak was decent, the mixed grill was a bit dry and disappointing, and the pasta dishes were only OK. It does look like they might have added some more pasta options and the place was promising enough that I'd be willing to give it another try the next time I'm in town. Service was pretty good. The higher prices reflect their upscale aspirations so the value's just not there. Location is convenient to the Radisson and downtown.
(3)Russ K.
Great Italian dinning. I wonder where those who have written less favorable reviews dine!
(5)Sheila G.
We went to Zazios to celebrate my sons's graduation from Western and totally enjoyed our evening. We were immediately greeted and shown our seats. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive. Two of us ended up ordering the special, Halibut on recommendation of the server. It was outstanding. The desserts were just as good as the dinner. The server, who asked why we were there, even made sure that his dessert said congratulations. I would highly recommend.
(5)Amber L.
Reading all these subpar reviews, I have to wonder if we all really went to the same restaurant. Zazios is located in the Radisson hotel. They have another location in Birmingham. This place is more upscale, so you should expect their prices to reflect that. The hostesses were a little snobby when we arrived, but otherwise our normal server was great. I see a lot of people don't like the decor. I actually really liked it a lot. The interior was bright, vibrant, and modern. I thought the color schemes worked well together. It was like a breath of fresh air from more "normal" restaurants. The menu is modern Italian. If you want traditional, go to Mangia Mangia down the street. I was really happy with everything I ordered. First we got a cheese plate consisting of figs, apples, pecorino tartufo (hard cheese, great flavor), fresh buffalo mozzarella (melt-in-your mouth heavenly), and taleggio (melting cheese, just wanted to try it). We also ordered the herbed polenta appetizer and it was very creamy and good. My husband ended up getting the polletto. The chicken and cauliflower/winter squash puree was very tasty. I got the cappellacchi because I loooove butternut squash/pumpkin ravioli. It did not disappoint. Probably the best type of that dish that I have ever had. Finally, we got the desserts with several types of chocolates (forget what it was called) and the panna cotta. All of the chocolate was very good. The panna cotta was also very good with the pistachio cake. Overall, the meal was wonderful. I have absolutely no complaints about the food. I have to say that I have been to restaurants that were even more fancy-pants and higher-priced than Zazios and have been more disappointed with the food. So I don't think it was a bad trade. I had a very enjoyable evening and I will definitely be back.
(5)Mick B.
We only had cocktails in the Martini bar in the rear of the restaurant (no dining). I appreciated the valet parking at the nearby Radisson hotel, which if you present your claim check or parking stub Zazios will pay for your parking up to 2 hours. The contemporary "round table" style in the lounge and comfortable chairs were relaxing and appreciated- it's too bad that there wasn't something with eye appeal to look at out of the big picture windows that we were seated next to, but that's the fault of the Michigan economy and not Zazios. I noticed that other reviewers complained about the decor, but I liked the bright and eye-catching colors used. I am sure that the intent was to be vibrant and fun rather than just another dull me-too place for dinner. We all ordered Martinis which were surprisingly large, service was quick and friendly; any questions we had were answered efficiently. The drinks were a bit pricey, but I feel it's typical of hotel and downtown based businesses to charge a little more thinking that they have a captive audience. I could see walking through the restaurant that the intention is to offer intimate dining for couples, possibly before a night of dancing or a show. I hope that parents have the good sense to not bring young children here to spoil a romantic evening for someone! Overall I had a great experience and would certainly visit again next time that I am in town.
(3)Velina L.
One of the better restaurants I've been to in Michigan, Zazios serves fresh italian food in a fun environment. The dining room is decorated with bright colors, which usually puts me in a good mood. I only come out here with my coworkers and given the ridiculous hours we put in, it's not often we make it out to K-zoo but since it was my last week coming out to Michigan, I made them all come out with me. This was actually the first restaurant in Kalamazoo that I went to, and is probably my favorite of the ones I've been to (Fandango's and Sushi-ya are also pretty good). Service was very friendly and helpful, and they even offered us a tour of the kitchen, which I took full advantage of. During the tour, they gave us chunks of cheese freshly cut from the giant wheel of grana padano, showed us the pasta machine where they pour all the ingredients for the dough and wait for the pieces of pasta, cut to the desired length, to be cut. The wine list contains mostly italian wines, although there are some selections of new world wines as well. They also have an interesting drink list, including "dessertinis", which can offer a sweet ending to the meal. The menu is pretty extensive, with a selection of antipasti, freshly made pasta, meats and fish, and tastings of mozzarella, prosciutto, or olive oil. We ordered a bunch of appetizers to share, and our own entrees, but unfortunately didn't have room for dessert. - Fritti Misto: Crispy battered and fried shrimp, calamari, and thin squash and zucchini slices served with a marinara sauce and an aioli. A little too much batter for my liking, but I liked how everything stayed crunchy. - Roasted asparagus with burratta and olive oil: I love burratta so I naturally gravitated toward this seasonal appetizer. The asparagus were sweet, fresh, and very large, and paired very well with the mild creamy flavor of the cheese. - Seared scallops with parmesan and truffle-balsamic vinaigrette: Probably my favorite appetizer, the scallops were not at all overcooked or rubbery, and I love the balanced flavor of truffle oil and balsamic vinegar. - Mozzarella tasting: 2 types of mozzarella, burrata, sundried grape tomatos, marinated red sweet red peppers, and basil- always a good combination. - Handmade garganelli pasta with prosciutto, peas, and a cream sauce: Surprising light for a creamy pasta dish, I really liked the texture of the pasta. Overall, their pastas are relatively simple but the freshness gives them a great mouthfeel. - Rib-eye with gnocchi: Cooked to a perfect, juicy medium rare, the steak was perfectly complemented with the tender gnocchi in a gorgonzola cream sauce. The gnocchi was the best thing on the plate. - Roast chicken with crispy artichokes: Light, juicy, but slightly overcooked. Not my favorite, but not too bad. I'm definitely glad that we came here- after 24 months of Applebee's and Wendy's in Battle Creek, this was quite a treat!
(4)Rob P.
Fabulous service. Food was good and prompt. Waitresses were courteous, knowledgeable, attentive, and proficient. I liked the atmosphere too.
(5)Gary S.
Maybe it's because the chef worked in Chicago, but as a long-time Chicagoan I really appreciated the approach to food taken at Zazio's.
(5)Chris E.
Bright interior, but a bit noisy. The waiter called us, "you two." That irritated me for some reason. The soup was extremely rich (with pools of oil visible on the surface) and the entre was tasteless. The only good part of the meal was the vegetable side of brussel sprouts. I've had better.
(2)alejandro p.
They played Tom Waits when I was here. How cool is that? This was one of the most enjoyable 'fancy' dining experiences I've had in Kalamazoo. My pasta dish was bursting with flavor--and, since I had asked the waiter about the vegetarian appetizer options he made sure the sauce on my dish was also meat-free. Sounds like they're sourcing from local farms and keeping things fresh. Sure, the prices add up when dining with a family but your money is better spent locally than at some chain like Olive Garden, and the difference in quality shows.
(4)charlie a.
Cool atmosphere, lively service. Interesting menu.....WORST FOOD I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!! I tired it twice and both times it was brutally bad!!!! Can't believe they are in business
(1)Heather R.
I loved the atmosphere at Zazios! GREAT Italian food. My boyfriend took me to the Chef's Table for my birthday dinner and it was the perfect present. So cool to see a cooking demonstration by Chef John. I had the Potato Gnocchi which was melt-in-my-mouth AMAZING. They also have a great selection of wine. I would definitely recommend Zazios for a fun night out in Kalamazoo!
(3)Kit C.
Good food trumps slow service. Varied modern Italian menu, with everything from salad, pizza, to steak. The butternut squash ravioli is heavenly. I highly recommend it. Roast chicken was dull and dry. Braised short ribs were huge and hearty. like homey pot roast. The service and hostess staff are very very nice and welcoming. The problem is you will wait a long time to get your food after ordering. It can also takes a very long time to get serviced while waiting for your meal.
(4)