01/21/07

To Be Enjoyed

by salts

This quaint, cosy restaurant is one of our favorites and we can't wait to go back again. How can y.ou go wrong with all-organic ingredients, simple yet sensational recipes, professional/personable service, and beautiful ambience. We will be there as soon as they re-open.

• Pros: Food, service, wine list
• Cons: No credit cards, can get crowded

05/13/06

Price/quality discrepancy

by quackdbt

A meal for 2 with a bottle of wine is over a hundred dollars at this neighborhood restaurant that, while cute and cosy, serves up thoroughly midbrow food for bay area palates at big city prices. There was nothing wrong with anything we tried, but nothing wrong just isn't enough at $20+/entree. Shaky service.

04/27/06

Long wait, cold food

by mcabee1980

I was incredibly dissapointed with this restaurant. We had hear from a friend that the food was good and so we passed on our tried and true restaurant Pizzaiolo to try something different. Service was mediocre at best, but the worst part was that we waited almost 2 hours for our food. We were seated at the community table at the same time as another couple. Same waitress, but for some odd reason all of their food just kept coming out about 1/2 hour before ours. The worst part was that when they brought our meal, mine was cold. My husbands of course was hot and steamy and in retrospect it was probably a dish that required more preparation, however, there is never any excuse for one persons dish to be completely cold. We ended up paying $100.00 and I have never felt more cheated

01/18/06

Wonderful Experience

by brendon

Truly a unique little place. The owners are clearly have an unrelenting commitment to quality, and the restaurant has some very impressive aspects (such as the use of home grown vegetables & herbs). It is a bit pricey, and some of the items on the menu could stand some improvement (i.e. the salmon), but overall this place is truly a gem.

• Pros: Intimate Service, Very Good Food, Tasteful Decor
• Cons: Somewhat Pricey, Small Menu

01/15/06

Terrible Service with Poor Food

by variance75

As a long time user of Citysearch, I was finally moved to register and write about my poor experience at Zatar. It took over 1:30 minutes for our meal to arrive. The kicker is that while we were waiting the chef came out and chatted with some friends who were appearantly dining. It wasn't until the waitress gestured to the chef (I use this term loosely) before she returned to the Kitchen. This was about 1:15 into our wait

The food was medicore. My prawns were a bit dry and my rice was cold. My wife's chicken was dry and overcooked.

To be fair, the atmosphere is nice and cozy. Overall I would not recommend Zatar. There are literally dozens of better places within walkin distance.

• Pros: Atmopshere, Location
• Cons: Service, Food, Price

10/11/05

nice place, small servings, big prices

by realdeal08

This is a nicely decorated place.

The appetizers are good and very unique.

Now...the entrees are good tasting, but way over-priced for the portions.

I ordered the lamb entree at ~$22.00 and recevied probably less than 4 ounces of lamb. This place is know for it's organic ingredients, but I think this was taking it too far.

I suggest wine and appetizers. If you feel money is no object, more power to you. Service was good!

• Pros: decor, service
• Cons: small portions, high price

08/06/05

Wonderful Environment and Food

by demwjj

Service was perfect, each dish well presented and excellent and the environment is such a respite from big noisy busy rooms.

• Pros: Food, Environment, Service
• Cons: None apparent

04/27/05

Tiny, colorful Mediterranean oasis specializes in premium, organic ingredients.

by Joanna Currier

In Short
Iraqi and Eastern European specialties at this small, bejeweled Berkeley favorite feature vegetables and herbs plucked from the restaurant's own half-acre garden, blended with exotic spices like sumac, cardamom and coriander. The results are impeccably fresh, fragrant, Mediterranean-style platters, grilled lamb, chicken and vegetable dishes. Meats are free range, breads fresh baked, and all dairy and oils are organic.

04/21/05

A Truly Unique Experience

by kcaprino

I was blown away when I discovered this extremely charming restaurant right in the "Bermuda Triangle" of Berkeley. Creativity, tradition, love, excellent service, and top quality ingredients go in to the recipe for this fabulous restaurant. The portions are generous, but not overwhelming, the wine list superb (finally-something other than Chardonnay!) and the ambience is more than one could ever hope for. Don't pass up the chance to experience Zatar, the smells alone are enough to make my mouth water!

• Pros: Ambience, Organic ingredients, Amazing service
• Cons: No plastic

02/09/04

intimate local restaurant

by djchase

i often don't find myself sitting down to write a review of a restaurant, but our last few visits to zatar has inspired me to do so. the wines are eclectic and are chosen to pair with the amazing organic menu. this is the type of restaurant to eat slowly, enjoy the company you are with and be pampered by the knowledgable owners and staff. this is why my wife and i have become regulars. you can truly sense the dedication to making your experience at zatar memorable.