ZiaLaLa Latin cafe

Does anyone know anything about a place at 12220 Shelbyville Road called ZiaLaLa? I saw an ad today where it bills itself as "a Latin cafe with a European flair." The menu (http://www.zialala.com) seems unusually wide-ranging, from arepas and empanadas to cheese ravioli and souffles.

[Robin Garr]

That would be almost directly across Shelbyville Road from Highland Fish Market, maybe out just a block. Funny, I was out that way yesterday to pick up fish and check out La Botana, a little Mexican place near US 60 and Juneau, and I didn't notice a thing along the south side of the highway.

I got a flyer today in the mail with a $5 coupon. Googled the address and it's across the street from Pauls Fruit Mkt. I haven't noticed it either and I drove through Middletown about a zillion times this past weekend. Very strange, they must not have obvious signage...

[Robin Garr]

it's across the street from Pauls Fruit Mkt.

Which is one door west of Highland Fish.

It's actually in the plaza and the other side of the road right next door to Fat Jimmy's, sort of behind the KFC.

Mark's got it! ZaiLaLa Latin Cafe is in the Middletown Plaza. Like Mark said, on one side is Fat Jimmy's on the other side Casual Living and Patio Center.

I had lunch today at ZiaLaLa and thought it was pretty good.

It’s a nice-looking place inside, with upholstered chairs, but rather small: There are only five tables, plus a few chairs by the front window. (I believe there’s a back room that’s available for groups.) You order at the counter, and they bring the food to your table.

When I got there at 1:15, they were out of what I had planned to order: pinchos de carne (beef cooked on a skewer with onions, peppers and mushrooms, topped with chimichurri sauce). However, the lunch special was virtually the same thing, but with chicken instead of beef, so I tried that. It came with black beans, rice and plaintain chips, and everything was very good.

They had six or eight types of empanadas displayed at the counter that looked interesting, so I’ll probably try some of them on my next visit.

ZiaLaLa Cafe is a most welcome to the Middletown dining scene. The dining room is small, but bright and cozy, with a mixture of tables and chairs, counter/bar and sofas. One orders at the counter, but my food was brought out to me at the bar where I was sitting. on our visits staff members (and Zia herself) have brought the finished dishes directly from the kitchen to the table.

The menu includes soups, salads, Latin dishes, pastas, pizettes, sandwiches, paninis, empanadas, Latin breakfast items, arepas, Latin breakfast items, souffles and a small selections for the younger set. Additionally, there is the "flex menu" which lets the diner mix and match soup, salad or fruit with a salad, 1/2 panini, 1/2 sandwich, pasta or empanadas.

This evening I tried a Jamaican empanada (ground and chopped beef, onion, potato, curry and other spices) and the Puerto Rican empanada (shedded chick with sofrito seasoning, ionions, garlic and tomatoes). Both were savory, crisp and non-greasy. I also tried a Queso Blanco Arepas (moist, ground corn dough fillled with white Spanish chese). Each of my items was $3.00. (The most expensive items on the menu are the paninis at $7.50.)

This is also a bakery selling breads, tarts, flans, cookies, etc.

I'm thinking I may have to go there for breakfast in the morning!

Yes, I had the same feeling about the drink cups, a tumbler would have been more appropriate.
Less waste, and expense.

I made a choice from the "Flex" menu, and I am glad I did.
The meal came with two empanadas, and side salad (the small side) I chose the Chilean, and the Puerto Rican.

AnneMarie is right about the salad, it was small and because the roma tomato and cucs were so fresh I would to have like a little more. Not a big fan of iceberg lettuce, and I picked through what I wanted.
Thanks for a delicious lunch Annie!

I want to try the flan, so I will go back.

This is kind of old news now, but I noticed today that ZiaLaLa is closed. I assume it shut down about a year ago, which is when the restaurant last posted something on Facebook. It's a shame; I really liked their empanadas.

[Robin Garr]

This is kind of old news now, but I noticed today that ZiaLaLa is closed. I assume it shut down about a year ago, which is when the restaurant last posted something on Facebook. It's a shame; I really liked their empanadas.

Rich, I hate to hear of any closing - well, most closings - but I'm afraid it says something that they've been gone for months, apparently, without any notice.