Zola + BarZola

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1. S

   Shabby

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   the food was amazing, the dessert was fabulous, the server and hostess were wonderful.

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2. F

   Foodie

   San Francisco

   172 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   172 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   I just love the petrale sole here. The sauce is yummy, and the slightly crispy carrots and green and white beans. My husband had the special, a stew with scallops and shrimp and crispy potatoes in a slightly spicy tomatoey sauce. The prices are quite high, with the least expensive entree around the mid-30s, so we didn’t order anything else except for a “Bad Boy” cocktail and wine. The service was excellent, and we had a nice outdoor table.

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3. S

   Sparrow57

   San Francisco

   36 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   36 reviews

   Dined on October 10, 2021

   overall2food3service1ambience2

   I had been looking forward to trying Zola's new format for months -- what a disappointment! The outdoor seating had no heat lamps, service was inattentive and slow as molasses, the waitress was not familiar with the wine list, and a group of 5 very inebriated men was moved from the bar indoors to at a table right next to us by the manager who kept plying them with alcohol despite their clear intoxication and increasing use of loud profanity. The food was the only saving grace in the evening, but not worth a return visit.

   Zola + BarZolaResponded on October 13, 2021

   Hi Sparrow. We're forgoing heat-lamps for the time being since they are a terrible waste of energy and in addition to wasted heat, they produce a fair amount of carbon dioxide. We hope people understand and can be prepared by bringing a sweater or light jacket. Sure beats polluting while you're dining!

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on October 9, 2021

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Top Notch food, service and atmosphere. I’ll definitely go back!

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   San Francisco

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on October 7, 2021

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Reminded us of the Pulitzer bar in Amsterdam! Loved everything about it

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6. MM

   MarMossBeach

   San Francisco

   41 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   41 reviews

   Dined on October 3, 2021

   overall2food2service3ambience2

   Zola is hip but hip does not equal delicious. The food is perfectly adequate but nothing special and the cost is rather steep for what is given. We went on a Saturday at 6:00, thinking that we would be too early for the in-crowd. Wow, were we wrong! PA was mobbed, streets were packed with maskless people milling about, and oh so casual, as if COVID never happened!

   Zola + BarZolaResponded on October 6, 2021

   Is this a review for us or just Palo Alto in general?

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7. SC

   SharonC

   San Francisco

   17 reviews

   4.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on September 26, 2021

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   The duck was perfectly seasoned and done to perfection. Loved the french onion dip with the Bretzels. I think the tables are a little "close" because you get to be involved in the conversations of the next table.

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8. F

   Foodie

   San Francisco

   18 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   18 reviews

   Dined on September 24, 2021

   overall4food5service5ambience3

   As always, Zola never disappoints! Excellent food - inventive bretzel appetizer, perfectly cooked duck w/crispy skin, melt in your mouth petrale sole followed by scrumptious desserts. Thoughtful acknowledgement of our Anniversary w/attentive service - love the option of outdoor seating. Our most favorite restaurant in PA.

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9. A

   Annie

   San Francisco

   1 review

   vip
   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on September 23, 2021

   overall3food3service4ambience4

   Zola used to be a really good restaurant - a great place for a leisurely meal, carefully prepared with good ingredients. Now I think they're trying to recoup their Covid losses. Our dishes were too salty, one of the vegetables undercooked, and service was paced too briskly. Prices haven't changed, though.

   Zola + BarZolaResponded on September 28, 2021

   Really appreciate the feedback. Always good to recalibrate the cooks salting levels. Just want to make sure guests understand that although prices haven't changed for you, they have changed for us. Beef prices alone have gone up 30% in the last two weeks. Just keep that in mind when dining out at other places. Thanks again for your honest criticism.

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10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 18, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great appetizer and service. I want to say sorry for only leaving 18% gratitude.

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11. C

    lucianaC

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2021

    overall2food2service1ambience2

    No service and cold beef plus reheated french fries. Lazy service.

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on September 17, 2021

    Thanks for your review. We're not sure what re-heated french fries means, but the fries at BarZola are made from fresh potatoes from scratch every day! Hope to see you soon.

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 11, 2021

    overall3food2service3ambience3

    Wanted to try this place due to its good ratings, but the Food and drinks were subpar for the value. The tuna tartar was over seasoned, if you have good tuna let it shine not overwhelm it with sauce and spices. Also there was barely any tuna on the plate. The tomato salad was the only dish that I liked, it was simple and refreshing, the feta was the highlight. I ordered the steak and frites and it was ok, nothing to rave about. My husband ordered the sea ash special, it was good, he liked the taste. The prices are too high for the amount and quality of food and drinks. Their wine list is limited (at least by the glass), we didn’t get any other list except cocktails. My glass of cab was $24 and it was just fine, nothing to get excited about. Their cocktails were sweet and they come in tiny glasses. Overall it was ok, but won’t be going again.

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on September 14, 2021

    Hi Anonymous, Thank you for the constructive criticism. In an effort to always improve, we were wondering which cocktails you had? Thank you, Guillaume

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13. E

    Eatoutalot

    San Francisco

    52 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    52 reviews

    Dined on September 4, 2021

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Have been going to Zola for years, now redone with a nice outside area and an inside bar (didn't go in). Menu is quite limited, food is very good.

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 3, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A chic spot for cocktails!

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15. b

    bigfella

    San Francisco

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2021

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Zola offers unique combinations of flavors in both their dishes and their drinks. Both are outstanding and highly recommended. The service? Not so great. We waited too long to get our drinks ordered, waited far too long to get our appetizers, and waited too long to get our entrees. Our waiter would disappear for minutes on end. The check was the one thing that arrived quickly. The waiter gives you the handheld device for you to add the tip and sign the screen. Get this -- the tip has already been calculated for you, and displayed as 22%, 20%, 18%, or Other. The waited hovers over you as you check the appropriate box. Arrgh. The dining room has no soft surfaces, so the noise level ratchets up to annoying levels. Certainly annoying, if you would like to hold a conversation with the other people at the table -- which is to say everyone. It doesn't help that they keep the music throbbing in the background, adding to the chaos. (Why do restaurants do that?) Bottom line: Go for the food, but leave a lot of time for it.

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on September 3, 2021

    Hi bigfella, We really appreciate all of the constructive criticism and the 4 star review despite what seemed like a less than ideal dining experience for you. Please make sure to say hi next time you come in and we'll make every effort to make it more comfortable for you. Thank you. Guillaume

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16. M

    Matteo

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The food was great and service was on par. It was a bit chilly seating outside with no heaters, but the food made up for it!

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 2, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious food!

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18. JW

    JaneW

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Relaxed atmosphere, sitting outdoors with friends. Good service but not intrusive. Food was excellent. Will definitely do this again!!!

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19. RD

    RichardD

    Los Angeles

    7 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Superb. Terrific bar scene and quality drinks Great service and food is superb

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 27, 2021

    overall4food3service5ambience3

    Server was quite friendly attentive. The bottle of wine that was recommended was very good I had the duck. It was just ok and a bit tough/chewy, but that’s probably just luck Their bretzels where pretty tasty (think pretzels rolled into a ball and served with a Gorgonzola spread) Had the chocolate mousse for dessert. Nice and light

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21. RR

    RRP1

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 26, 2021

    overall5food4service4ambience4

    Dinner at Zola’s was convivial and pleasant. The food was excellent, as were the cocktails and wine pairings. The only snag was that our party of 5 were somewhat delayed (~ 25 mins) in being seated as earlier diners were slower in vacating their tables than planned. This is clearly out of their control and the wait staff at Zola’s did the best they could to set us up as soon as possible. One of the perils of Zola’s rising popularity I suppose. Overall an excellent dining experience once we got underway.

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22. HT

    HugoT

    San Francisco

    28 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on August 22, 2021

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Food and drinks were excellent. Service was a little slowish but we were having a great time. Outdoors. The staff ably finessed my wife’s bizarre drink order.

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23. P

    Princess

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2021

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    Liked the service. Outdoor seating, all things considered, was nicely decorated and thankfully not using plastic sheeting. Menu could definitely be more extensive. Really surprised no coffee available which along with dessert is the final ending note for when I leave a restaurant. No coffee made me forgo dessert. Prices too high.

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Gnocchi and Sole and Tian were exceptional.

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25. RR

    RRP1

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent evening. The bar was superb with well made and balanced cocktails. The restaurant handled a mixup on the cocktails very graciously. We had the tomato salad followed by gnocchi and eggplant tian. We paired the salad with a nice crisp Sauvignon blanc and the gnocchi and eggplant tian with an excellent Burgundy Pinot. The food, service & wine pairing suggestions were superb. Will definitely go here again. Recommended.

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26. R

    Roberta

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 19, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Zola has always been one of our favorite restaurants on the Peninsula. We went for dinner for my birthday and we were treated so wonderfully. The food reminds me of France. Highly recommend this restaurant.

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent across the board ! Delicious food, excellent wine and cocktails, service par excellence …. Keep it up team !

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 15, 2021

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    I went to Zola 6 years ago and it was a quiet upscale French restaurant. I went with my family to celebrate my son’s birthday and I was seated inside. There is a bar with many seats next to the bar and the people were quite loud. I ordered the special that the waiter recommended, scallop and shrimp dish with bread. For $48 I expected a large dish but it only came with 2 scallops, 2 shrimps, a few small clams and 3 small pieces of bread. It didn’t even fill me up. My son got the gnocchi and the serving size is small too as an entree. What a disappointment for mt son’s 18th birthday celebration!

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on August 17, 2021

    Hi Anonymous, We apologize for not having met your expectations for your sons birthday. So many things have changed in 6 years, including the price of food and the layout of the restaurant. We will hopefully re-open the dining room this fall assuming regulations don't stop us from doing so. Thank you, Guillaume

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29. DB

    DavidB

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2021

    overall3food4service2ambience2

    $50 corkage to start, service was super slow, food was good, so disappointing all in all.

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on August 14, 2021

    Hi David. Thank you for the constructive criticism. Regarding the corkage fee. We base it off our gross margin from our average bottle sale. With an award winning wine list and our overall need for revenue after a rough couple of years, we would hope that guests would be understanding of what we need to charge. The fee is posted both online and on our menu, which would allow you to make a decision ahead of time as to whether to bring your own bottle or not.

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30. JG

    JonG

    San Francisco

    33 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on August 12, 2021

    overall3food2service5ambience4

    Expensive and food underwhelming. Go to Iron Gate instead.

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on August 13, 2021

    On behalf of all restaurant owners out there, the food is not expensive, we've just all been desensitized to the true cost of food and service. If you patronize establishments that pay their employees well and serve sustainable meat and seafood please be prepared to pay the true cost.

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31. a

    aerilx

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 7, 2021

    overall2food4service2ambience2

    Reservation means nothing here , arrived at 7:46, our appointment is at 7:45. Got seated in a temporary small table at 8:20. Really mad

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on August 14, 2021

    Hi Aerilx, We're terribly sorry you had to wait for your reservations. Unfortunately we have no way of controlling other customers' promptness and respect for their time at a table. We did everything we could to make you feel comfortable and apologies that it wasn't enough.

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 7, 2021

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    Excellent variety of cocktails. Attentive and warm service. Great ambience and food was delicious. We are definitely going back!

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33. JM

    JohnM

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great creative food and solid service. We love the ambiance of Bar Zola.

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 1, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great service great food great ambiance 💕

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 31, 2021

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Service was ok, we enjoyed the food especially Gnocchi was great but there was little flies flying all over the place and it was pretty annoying.

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36. A

    Anne

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on July 30, 2021

    overall3food3service3ambience4

    I liked Zola “ok” but things that put me off: a passive (boarder line rude) greeting at the front desk that continued through out the service. Our server softened and was charming after a while. My husband had the duck which was done perfectly and I had the sole that was nice but lacked something (bland even for a beurre blanc). The semifreddo was frozen solid. Additionally we were told about the corkage fee of $50 at the time of the check instead of letting us know at the beginning. I’d expect a corkage fee anywhere we go but $50 for this restaurant was really surprising and not worthy of. All and all it was fine but not sure I’ll return. Great cocktail list though. I’m sure that’s there audience

    Zola + BarZolaResponded on August 12, 2021

    Hi Anne. Thanks for all the constructive criticism. Regarding the corkage fee. We base the fee of off our gross margin on our average bottle spend. We have an award winning wine list and truthfully would hope that after the worst 18 months since the great depression people would be a little more understanding of our need for revenue. I write this in the hope that you consider buying a bottle from the next restaurant you go to as much as in defense of our thought out policy.

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 30, 2021

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    The gnocchi is a must try!

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38. EK

    EllenK

    San Francisco

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on July 29, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was delicious. Excellent cocktails too.

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Los Angeles

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 25, 2021

    overall3food2service3ambience3

    If you want to have a date, it is good option, not too much option to eat, menu is value of money. But if you are going to regular dinner with family as per me, it’s not an option… not enough space for groups. The host is super unfriendly, all our requests was trying to fix the situation was a server, thanks for that. But in general, good place to have some drinks and snacks.

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40. K

    Kevin

    London

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 23, 2021

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great food and service. The new Bar is really well appointed. Exceptional.

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