Zoë

[Rail Paul]

Wilfrid's excellent list of 50 restaurants reminded me I haven't been to Zoe. Walked past it, looked interesting, but I had something else to do.

Anybody have experiences or suggestions about Zoe?

Thanks

[Wilfrid]

I must have gone there around late September/early October last year, because it was just after the area below 14th Street got opened up again, and I felt like supporting a downtown restaurant.  They had very recently installed a new chef, overhauled the menu, and - I think both because of a certain re-launch mood, and in response to adversity - were really working hard at hospitality, service and everything else - so I had a good time.   It's a lively place, with tables fairly close together, but not too noisy.  A rough description of the cuisine would be traditional American dishes, but with interesting and unusual accents.  Example:  short ribs (of course), but with a garnish of rock shrimp.  Kind of surf 'n' turf.  I found it very successful at first, but by the last few bites I was pushing the shrimp aside and eating the beef.  Nice try though, and it's certainly a place I mean to go back to quite soon.

[Bux]

I was pushing the shrimp aside ... it's certainly a place I mean to go back to quite soon.

Okay, a little out of context. ;)

[jeffperez62]

Has anyone been to Zoe since the new chef has taken over??

[tommy]

while i generally find zoe surprisingly decent, they have more chefs in the past 5 years than i've had posts on egullet. and that's a lot.

who's the new one?

[tighe]

The new chef at Zoe is Tim Kelly. I only know this because up until this year, he was the chef at The Painted Table, here in Seattle. One of my absolute favorite places in town. I'd love to hear what people have to say about his work at Zoe.

[jeffperez62]

Going to dinner there tomorrow, I'll keep notes for all.

[Wilfrid]

Yes, I have, but it was a few months ago. I''ll try to dig out my notes and compare with Jeff''s experience. Good luck.

[jeffperez62]

Sunday Night Dinner at Zoe: Squash soup with cilantro oil and tamari infused pumpkin seeds: nice soup with a zing from the cilantro oil which may have been made with chilie oil, the tamari pumpkin seeds added a nice contrast.

Entree: Seared skate wing with creamy lentils: nice dish but perhaps just a little too much butter in the entire dish as a whole. I'm sure the fish was seared in clarified butter and with the creamy lentils it was a bit heavy on the palate. But it all went down well with a '99 Zin from Rocking Horse Vineyards.

Dessert: a scoop of each: concord grape and quince sorbet and butternut squash ice cream. Zoe has always done a nice job in my opinion. May Chef Kelley and the Zoe team "live long and prosper" !

[Suzanne F]

Gee, doesn't sound all that different from Kevin Reilly's food.