Zanzabar

[Robin Garr]

$1k grilled cheese.

$1k grilled cheese.

was only $10 hard currency...and thats WITH fries.
what a bargain!

I went the other night and came away with the funniest story:

Ryan, evidently, arrived back from an off-premise event just as we showed up after an event of our own. I was with the bourbonblog.com crew and my fiance'. Per tradition, we threw ourselves on the chef's whim. He arrived with some beautifull plates!

I didn't even take a bite, having too much fun talking shop with chef. He gave me a tour of the kitchen and I got to meet his sous. They certainly have some exciting stuff planned for the future in both food and beverage.

Good times- I always have fun analyzing kitchen and bar layouts. It's my favorite game of 'what can you get away with, physically?'

Upon returning to my table (and empty plates, lol!) the groupthink had then moved to 'let's go clubbing.' Doh!



Guess I'll just have to go back again, shucks.

I could go on for some length about what a FANTASTIC time the guys and gals at Zbar provided for 2 adults and 2 kids out for a Mother's Day dinner last night. OUT OF SIGHT on all fronts!
But I want to get down to brass tacks here.... we had many plates and ALL were excellent (as usual).
The all-stars, though, were 2 of the nightly specials.... Suckling pig tacos with tomatillo salsa verde, cabbage, peanuts, and cilantro... and...are you ready?...
for dessert, KY ice cream trio... 1 scoop each of Bourbon Ball w/a hard chocolate shell, Mint Julep w/ a sprig of fresh mint, and Country Ham w/ a pinch of smoked sea salt. Of course, the 2 'sweet' ice creams were excellent, but the country ham was phenomenal. As adventurous an eater as I am, I still had a '?' in my brain about that one... but had to try it nonetheless. One bite allayed all my doubts and fears. A PERFECT balance of mostly sweet with enough savory that both elements sang in concert. The smoked salt just put it over the top. From now on, I'm not even looking at a menu when I eat there. I just want those guys to bring me what they want me to have.

GREAT JOB ZANZABAR! I rarely go anywhere that every experience is AT LEAST as good as the one before it. This is definitely THAT place!

Ryan,

Do you have leftover any of that Country Ham ice cream leftover? It's our anniversary Tuesday night and I'd love to surprise my husband with some. Sounds like it's very worth a special trip.
Thanks,
Deb

Ryan,

Do you have leftover any of that Country Ham ice cream leftover? It's our anniversary Tuesday night and I'd love to surprise my husband with some. Sounds like it's very worth a special trip.
Thanks,
Deb

I absolutely do. Technically Tuesday is my day off, but I'd love to sell you a quart if your interested in that or if you'd like to come in I'd happily come in as well and serve you all the ice cream. And the staff I have in place now is fantastic so when I'm not there I am fairly positive that everything is put out to my satisfaction.
Besides I'm always here on my days off anyway.

Suckling pig tacos? Awesome!

I know where I'll be going soon.

Ryan,

We will definitely come in! I've been wanting to since you blew me away with your chowder at the Throwdown. If you are going to be there, we'd love to see you- but I'd hate to take away your day off.

Ooh- I am so looking forward to this.

Deb