We went to dinner at Zazios in Birmingham the other night for Chef’s Table. Guests sit in a pseudo stadium style area and get to chat with the chef while watching him cook. It’s like “dinner and a show”, and adds a really fun element to the dining experience.
Zazios has a bright and cheerful feel. High tech. Lots of colors, and floor to ceiling windows. The bartenders, waitstaff and yes, even the chef, are extremely friendly and personable.
This month, the featured 5-course menu is “Spring in Tuscany”. Here’s a sampling: Dinner started with Crostini Assaggini—grilled local breads, topped with a spring fava bean salad, and a Florentine chicken liver pate. When I was a kid, my grandma made chopped chicken liver. I refused to eat it. A little older and wiser, I tried the pate and was instantly transported back to my grandma’s kitchen. And guess what? It was good!
Executive Chef Matthew Schellig
Our second course was a delicate pan seared halibut in a Tuscan bread broth with mushrooms. The fish was tender and perfectly cooked. At our request, Chef Matt even added a little extra spice/heat to the dish. The evening’s third course was a housemade ravioli stuffed with spinach, ricotta, and fresh egg. Cutting into the ravioli produces a warm yoke that adds a yummy richness to the fresh tomato sauce below. This is the kind of dish you see on Top Chef– I think Dale did something like this earlier this season.
Next up we were served a grilled NY Strip Steak with green beans, shitake mushrooms and shaved truffle pecorino. Grilled to a perfect medium rare, the steak and earthy mushrooms combined for an amazing taste. All the while, we got to chat with the chef about food, Italy, kids, and wine. Speaking of wine– we opted for the tasting package, in which a different varietal is paired with each dish. A brilliant idea.
Our final course was two scoops of dark chocolate and fig gelato with biscotti and a vin santo cream sauce. A rich and refreshing end to a delightful meal.
I’ve seen some pretty harsh reviews of Zazios on Yelp. Our experience was excellent—and I did not let on that I blog about food. I’ll be back for another Chef’s Table.
Zazios is located at 34977 Woodward Ave. Birmingham, MI, 48009 – 248.530.6400
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This post is brought to you by the fine folks at Paragon Apartments, offering apartments across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, and the Paragon Patio, where residents connect. We’d love to talk with you on Facebook and Twitter!
