Zucca Ristorante

Sat at the bar for lunch. Food iss top notch. Drinks are cold and refreshing. Service was excellent. I am bringing my family here in the next couple of weeks to sit outside on the patio.

Pros: Bartender and staff super friendly

Posted 07/29/09

Great place!! We go every week. The food is wonderful and the staff is very fun and polite. Everyone knows us now and seems glad to see us when we show up. You know... just like the show cheers! The manager even comes over and greets us and offers complimentary drinks or desserts. We love it!!

Also if your not familiar with this style of food. Order the lamb with Greek tzatziki cucumber yogurt with pita and dill. It?s sooo good!

Posted 04/05/08

We went to Zucca Friday night and had a group of 9. We were seated on time, and had a wonderful waiter, nephew of the owner. We ordered wine, first one was not available, alternate was not a good choice. Then when it came time to order another bottle our first choice was also not available:-(

Some of the food was cold when served, taken back with a smile, but should have been hot before reaching table. We could only talk to the person directly to the right or left. To talk across the table you would have to yell, which would have been OK as everyone has to yell with the awful acoustics.

The food was OK, but exhausted by the time we left from yelling, cold food, second choice on wine and noise. Perhaps a quiet weeknight is the right time to come, but forget Friday nights.

Posted 12/08/07

If nothing else- go for the champagne mojito. I have never had anything so tasty in all my drinking years. Had I not been driving, I would have had a pitcher all to myself. Yes, my friends--that good. We had a very personable waiter; he was very attentive and helpful. I had the fillet and asked for medium rare with the risotto. When I cut into the fillet it was purple and the risotto was under-cooked. The waiter asked how everything was and my friend explained that my food was underdone. He was very apologetic as he remembered how I had asked to have it cooked. A new steak came back a few minutes later and was cooked perfectly; the risotto was wonderful. The tapas were delicious and dessert as well.

Pros: Food, service and ambience

Posted 10/20/07

I have been here many times before and though the food is overrated, the ambience makes up for it. However tonight, I was extremely disappointed with the hostess who was not very personable. We wanted a table for 3, she offered one on the side walk where all the people pass by or wait for a table at the step down side walk free of the pedestrians. I opted for the step down table and she said that we would be next one seated. After 15 mins she came back and told us that the table at the sidewalk was ready. I reminded her that I wanted the step down. She denied she said that and I tried to remind her of our conversation. She started having an attitude and I touched her arm as a gesture to chill and she really went off on me. I spoke to the manager but at this point, I was too annoyed to enjoy the night. Went to the Shabu-shabu restaurant instead.

Pros: Very nice outside dining specially in the warm months

Cons: Food is overrated and service can take forever

Posted 09/13/07

This is one of my favorites in Mountain view. I go for special occasions. (The price being an issue) I have had consistently good experiences with Zucca. I appreciate the menu because it is simultaneously traditional, yet it avoids the Italian American food stereotype. They offer sweet desserts, or a cheese course, (which is much more traditionally Italian) My favorite was a red wine poached pear served in a cream sauce. Though they do have the old stand-by's; tiramisu, plenty of pastas, and pizzas, I usually order the specials which are always excellent. Last time I went I had an absolutely lovely sword fish kebab with perfectly prepared zucchini and squash, served over an expertly seasoned, and very moist cous cous. My boyfriend had a rabbit dish that is better than any I have had (even some in Italy) I feel that the chef is very skilled, and they present a very refined menu. The drink selection is very large, though I often order a Campari and Soda (very well made), they have extensive wine selections, as well as fine whiskeys, and cocktails.
The atmosphere is romantic, sotftly light, and serene. It is a bit small for larger parties, but I fit a party of 12 in, and they were perfectly accommodating.
I really love this refreshingly traditional restaurant, and I feel that the cuisine is only made even more stunning by the middle eastern accents.
Hint, order the mezze, pricey, but worth it.

Posted 07/30/07

This place is very pricey and the food is mediocre at best. The food is bland and dry. The lamb wrap is chunky and leaves a bad after taste. he vegetarian wrap has no real taste (imagine lettuce and tomato wrapped in thin pita bread). But real issue is the service. The hostesses is amazingly rude, the waiters have no clue what good service is. They do not entertain even teh slightest variation from what is in the menu. Last week on a Wednesday when there were a total of 4 other people in the restaurant, our party of 8 had to wait 40 mins to get food. Zucca is definitely a place to avoid.

But the bread is good:-)

Posted 04/09/07

Did they change owners, or chefs? I have been going here for years. I have always loved there food, ambiance, and especially the chocolate desert. But sadly they have gone like others in there prime, crushed under the pressures cutting quality to gain profit. Right off the bat they arent serving the fresh bread with an oil dip, but a tacky basket with bread and butter. Presentation of food is not what it used to be. The food felt like it was just thrown into the plate with no thought to the garnishing. The cream sauce for my ravioli was water. They were out of my chocolate desert which is my whole purpose for going, and this was still at 6pm, with a very small crowd. Over all it was fine, but nothing like it used to be. Next time I will have to try the "Pasta?" place down the street.

Posted 08/20/06

The Hanger Steak is a must order. I do not have anything negative to say about this place. I highly recommend eating here.

Posted 03/03/06

Been going to Zucca's for years now. They really know how to to properly prepare both Italian and their Mediterranian/Middle Eastern dishes. I'm someone really into the food first, then the atmosphere is second. Zucca's really has great food, and the ambiance is a wonderful added bonus. This is a great place for romantic dinners, family dinners, and also group get togethers. Excellent place for great dinner and afordable too!

Posted 10/04/05

wow, my bf and i have nothing but good things to say about our early bird dinner experience. we both got 3 courses for about 15-20 bux each. I got the tomato soup, salmon and tiramisou. and he got the salad, steak and sorbet. Salad was just OK, but all the other courses are exceptional. after tax and tips, it was under $50 bux. That was the best meal we've had for $50 anywhere.

Pros: early bird special, generous portions, great service

Cons: none

Posted 09/12/05

This place is average at best. The wine list, the food, the appetizer -- all very average.

Posted 07/06/05

3 of us went there for lunch last week, and the service was terrible. I think the place was too busy for the few # of people working, but that's no excuse for getting 2 of the 3 orders wrong, needing to ask for water refills more than once, and no attention to service whatsoever. We all agreed the food was average--the scallops in the risotto were too rubbery and the falafel in the wrap was undercooked and mushy. I will not go back there again.

Pros: reputation, bread

Cons: service, customer appreciation

Posted 06/26/05

We have known of Zucca since it first opened. It brought life to a section of Castro Street that had been dead and run down. Zucca has a great night life without the horde of low lives. I love the food, the owners are good people, and the food is bar none. We love the food especially their Hangar Steak its our favorite.

Pros: Food, Wine, Atmosphere

Cons: Limited seating, limited high chairs

Posted 06/19/05

Terrific food and ambience. Period. The service can be diffident at times, but they're very nice. And one of the owners, a jolly "Zucca" of a man, is as affable as anyone I've encountered while dining out. Go w/ the hangar steaks, the meze platter and have them whip up some dessert for you. It's all great stuff.

Pros: food, ambience, wine list

Cons: parking, spendy

Posted 06/17/05

It's a little spendy here. However you will walk out of there very happy that you were there. Their Martini list is huge, and of excellent quality. Their bar is increadibly stocked, even with rare Grapas. Do yourself a favor and order the wildest thing on the menue, or actually the beef is super well. The rabbit is nice too. The owner and higer level staff treat you like someone special. It's a really great place to visit.

Posted 07/30/04

The food and ambience were good, but not great. The service was okay; I remember we weren't too happy with it, but it's been a while so I can't be more specific. I had the rabbit, and my boyfriend had the linguine with crab, and we shared calamari. These were all pretty good. They have a pretty interesting drink menu, which was cool. We went on a Saturday night, and it was quite crowded, so I would recommend a reservation. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. Overall, though, I think there are other places that are better for the price (or the same for less :) ). Worth trying if you are looking for a new place though.

Pros: Ambience, Food, Drink Menu

Cons: , Value

Posted 07/01/04

I have been to Zucca a few times and each time the food and cocktails were delicious...HOWEVER, the greeting hostess was incredibly rude and ungracious. Last time she was so bad, we left the restaurant before being seated and went somewhere else.

Pros: varied menu, lively ambiance

Cons: rude hostess

Posted 01/01/04