Get Clazzy, Z Grille: New Menu Falls Short of Old Favorites

ST. PETERSBURG - “Maybe my wine went to the wrong table?” I wondered, amazed by my long wait.  ZZZZ.  

An onomatopoeia for snoring. ZZZZ. The sound your brain makes when you hit “snooze” in the morning. ZZZZ.  The sound of the servers at Z Grille.  

No matter the meal,  Z Grille routinely provides “zzzz” slowest service in St. Pete.

The new menu leaves much to be desired.  The lobster and shrimp nachos prove a soggy mess of (mostly chips) with a sporadic shrimp and fishy lobster.  Nacho much a favorite.

The “beet it” salad may have a clever moniker, but reveals a pile of peppery arugula, a few beets, overly breaded goat cheese, and corn nuts that taste like stale Fritos.

Stick with the old--the asparagus and red pepper salad remains strong and, topped with your favorite protein, makes a meal.  Former menu items, such as the smoky pork quesadilla (replaced on menu with the escargot quesadilla named after Will Ferrell's Anchorman character Ron Burgundy) can still be ordered.

Whenever possible, stay with old favorites.

Like Anchorman, Z Grille thinks it’s “kind of a big deal.”   Unfortunately, the price point, sluggish service, confusing image, and inconsistent entrees prevent Z Grille from being “z” top in downtown dining.  

Still worth a visit? Definitely. Go for brunch when a slower pace is more tolerable. Order a mean Bloody Mary and crunchy chicken and waffles.  Or go for happy hour and sit at the bar. You’ll enjoy the restaurant’s fastest and friendliest wait-staff behind the counter.  Plus, signature Cali eggs are dirt cheap before 7pm, while drink specials would satisfy even Anchorman himself.

Once Z Grille stops zig-zagging around and straightens out the concept, menu fare, and staff training, “zey” will be be able shine above “z” rest.  Until then.... “Get clazzy, Z Grille.”