The Bottom Line
My friend and I stopped by Zest Spirited Dining for dinner mid-week. We shared an appetizer and a dessert, and we each ordered an entree. The bill, excluding beverages, tax and tip, came to about $37 per person.
Pros
- Intriguing menu
- Fresh, 'zesty' flavors
- Pleasant dining room with open kitchen
- Displays artwork from local artists
- One-of-a-kind restaurant
Cons
- Chairs were terribly uncomfortable
- Not an extensive menu
Description
- Zest Spirited Dining is classy but not pretentious. Servers wear white collared shirts and blue jeans.
- Only one salad/one dressing is offered at Zest Spirited Dining, but it is excellent -- 'zesty' -- and prepared tableside.
- Bread is herbed sourdough with a nice crust, warm and oh, so suitable for dipping. No fresh pepper offered for olive oil.
- Zest Spirited Dining offers one pasta dish for vegetarians.
- I wouldn't bring young children to Zest Spirited Dining.
- There's no problem parking at Zest Spirited Dining.
- Zest Spirited Dining serves dinner every day but Monday, and lunch M-F from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Guide Review - Zest Spirited Dining
Zest Spirited Dining is located in central Phoenix on a busy thoroughfare of an older neighborhood. The exterior might not draw an upscale crowd to this establishment, but the interior is welcoming, with colorful original artwork in the dining rooms, and large candles in 'zesty' greens and yellows glowing opposite an open kitchen.
The patrons were well dressed when we visited; we noticed business dinners, diners eating alone, and a date night. Tables are far enough away from each other to have some privacy space, but I was able to hear nearly everyone in the room, so I might not recommend it if you want your conversation to stay private.
The menu at Zest is unusual--no straight meat and potatoes here, no Cobb salad, no coconut shrimp. We ordered the Shrimp and Goat Cheese Melt appetizer ($9). Plenty to share. With a citrus zest mixed into the gooey-warm-cheesy-shrimp and lovely bread and chips on which to enjoy it, it would be difficult not to order it again next time. I hard a tough time honing in on what I wanted to order as an entree. There are not a lot of choices and items that typically attract me are not offered. I rarely order non-shellfish, but I took the server's advice and had the Rainbow Trout ($23). Delicious! Accompanied by a mixture of potatoes and veggies, I highly recommend it. The Filet Mignon ($35) is the priciest item on the menu, but it was tender and very tasty, accompanied by piles of sweet potatoes and veggies.
We didn't have any trouble selecting a dessert to share at Zest Spirited Dining. The Chocolate Bread Pudding with Bananas Foster ($8) was decadent. Thumbs up.
I must have used the word 'zesty' 5 or 6 times during our visit to Zest Spirited Dining. From the decor to the citrus offerings for water to the menu, I'll bet you'll say it, too.
All prices and offerings are subject to change without notice. (10/07)
