Ga-Ga For Za'Za'

There is a new hot spot in town, emphasis on the hot. Za'Za', which just opened, is where trendy and downtown cool meet authentic and traditional Italian cooking. A wonderful aspect of this extremely welcoming eatery is that it is comfortable for all age groups. The crowd consisted of families, young and old gathered together along with younger people on dates and all were treated to incredible food, music and ambiance.

Za'Za', which was originally Rustico, had a major facelift. The interior is best seen at night when the blue fire-like lights  grace  the bar scene and the red illuminated walls glow with bottles of wine employed in a decorative pattern.

Going to Za'Za' is a bit like going to an event or a show. There was music, and one of the co-owners even sang. The entire restaurant broke out into song. But despite the infectious energy and lounge-like atmosphere, the food ultimately steals the show.   

Purp 'a Trumbett' (12.00) is fresh octopus grilled to perfection and marinated in a virgin olive oil, with red onions, celery, chopped tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs. The octopus was perfectly done and gargantuan in size. This is a dish suitable for sharing, but trust me, you're not going to want to. The dressing that is made from the above ingredients is heavenly and everyone at our table raved about it.

To continue the squid theme, we were sent an "off the menu" Fried Calamari that was out of this world. The portion is very generous and suitable for the whole family. The rings were perfectly fried.  They were delightfully tender, with just the right amount of chewiness and a welcome change to the rubber-bands that generally grace my plate and palate.

Lingueni ro' Marenariell' (19.00) is a classic Neapolitan linguine with sweet baby clams, garlic oil and fresh herbs. Simple ingredients mixed with brilliantly cooked pasta created a dish that made even the most critical foodie buckle at the knees. There were clams everywhere and they were sweet and succulent. The pasta was truly al dente with is precisely how it should be prepared. Fresh, fresh, fresh.

Gnocchi Torna a' Surrient (15.00) is home made potato dumplings in a light tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella and basil. The basil was fragrant and flavorful  and clearly picked that day. Each bite released a powerful and robust symphony of flavors. The gnocchi were slightly more al dente than I am accustomed to but the dish was a winner. The bread on the table which was frequently replenished went to good use soaking up the tomato, basil and mozzarella sauce.

No review would be complete without trying the pizza. The Sorbillo (19.00) was mozzarella, Prosciutto di Parma, arugula, cherry tomatoes, Parmigianino cheese, truffle oil, and basil. The dough was different from the average restaurant pizza.  Lighter and doughier than one would expect, it was reminiscent of Indian naan. The consistency of the dough mixed with the cheeses, the fresh tomatoes, and the slightly salty, amazing Prosciutto , created a dish which might well turn you into a regular customer.

One of the mistakes I generally make is skipping out on dessert.  This time, I wasn't allowed. Zeppoli arrived to the table in all its golden, fluffy, fried, delicious glory. Drizzled with chocolate sauce and powdered with sugar, this fried dough creation delicacy was beyond. Zeppoli for me, means the 2nd avenue street fair in New York City. The dessert was so light and flavorful that it was the ultimate end to our meal. There is always room for Zeppoli and Za'Za' knows how to make it even better.

Za'Za' is a good time. There is simply no way that you can go there and not end the meal in a good mood. The music, the lights, the food, all of these components work together to create a joyously memorable experience that will have you coming back for more. Enough with the stuffy and the pretentious, all we want is good food, good music, and a good time. Za-Za delivers the whole package.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner: 914-472-4005