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Zelko Bistro

MY REVIEW: Strong Points: Decent food though not outstanding. The Outdoor patio is nice for brunch and much better suited for converstation than indoors. Service has been good on both visits.

Weak Points: Overall the food is just not that great, seems to be a lack of flavor in many of the dishes.Had Bloody Marys at brunch that were pretty much watery and tasteless.

NAME: jrmack
SUBMITTED: 6/13/2012   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2012
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: Brunch:

Strong points - Fresh food, good service and nice location/ambiance. Liked the starter (bruchetta). Glad to see St. Arnold beer on the menu and some decent wines.

Weak points - Wasn't impressed with the flavor or texture of the burger meat, and the parmesan fries could have used a bit more flavor. Lamb tacos OK but again not bursting with flavor.

NAME: jrmack
SUBMITTED: 9/5/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: Sept 2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Another Heights gem! A tiny, comfy, lovely room with pretty darn good food. Attentive wait staff and creative, tasty food. Whatever you order here will have a "twist" to it. For example, the Reuben has tomatoes on it. The quality is excellent.

NAME: Happy Eater
SUBMITTED: 9/5/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: September 2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: We went there for the first time today and throughly enjoyed our visit. It was wheelchair friendly - no problems getting in the restaurant or to the ladies. The service was prompt and friendly. My The Boss hamburger was one of the best I've ever had. They fixed a veggie plate for my husband that was a very nice mix of grilled veggies - nicely seasoned and not over cooked. I have the chocolate mousse cake for dessert - nicely sized, not too large and you didn't need much as it was CHOCOLATEY to the max. We didn't have wine but the list looked reasonably priced and varied, and Dennis enjoyed his YETI beer. We will go back when we are back in the Heights.

NAME: Texas Yankee Red
SUBMITTED: 8/7/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: August 2011
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: "We stand behind our food, never in front of it," states Zelko's website. Funny then that a whole week went by after I e-mailed the restaurant with an honest recounting of a terrible experience there, and nobody could be bothered to respond either by email or phone. Seriously? So I picked up the phone and called Zelko in the hopes that there would be some completely logical explanation. Perhaps a wrong e-mail address was linked on their site? A death in the family? No. The call was answered by co-owner Jeb Stuart who immediately recognized my name via his caller ID. He told me that he read my letter to his entire staff and that he isn't sure why "Dalia" didn't get back with me. He then said he was waiting for me to "get back with him"..."in case there was "anything he could do." Maybe I'm crazy, but if a customer takes the time to write a fair and detailed letter about a bad experience, wouldn't you think the ball is now in the owner's court? Beyond a non-specific "I'm sorry" and that he "fired 7 people" afterwards, Mr. Stuart couldn't be bothered to tell me how they were fixing the breakdowns that happened that evening, nor did he offer to play host for any future visit. We have been regular patrons of Zelko since they opened. On the last evening we dined there, we waited 45 minutes to receive cold congealed meals delivered in phases such that half our group was watching the others eat. Apparently Mr. Stuart's "Let me know what I can do" approach rolls downward. Our server never asked how things were. It took someone in our party to point this out when the rush quieted down enough to get her attention. My guest told her that the kitchen wasn't doing her any favors and that although she was efficient keeping the beer coming, it was obvious the rest was falling apart. Our server acknowledged that Jamie (Zelko) had left earlier in the day. It seems Zelko cannot run without her there?

Mr. Stuart thanked me for letting them know rather than "posting on yelp." If Mr. Stuart had taken any initiative or responsibility in the matter, I wouldn't be posting this post. On a good night, Zelko does some amazing delicious comfort food built on locally sourced ingredients. It's ridiculously loud in the dining room and they don't take reservations. If you're game for waiting 90 minutes for amazing (on a good night) short ribs over polenta while picking from a well edited and reasonably priced wine list, and shouting with your friends, then by all means go! Just call and make sure Jamie is there that night. If it doesn't go so well, let us know here. Nobody at Zelko wants to hear about it.

NAME: festusbodine
SUBMITTED: 2/25/2011   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/11
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Strong points;
Party of four. Service was good. All diners were satisfied with their meals which included: fish & chips (special), crab cake, corned beef & Cabbage and spagetti bolonaise (pasta not drained well or the bolonaise was very watery) not sure which. Portions were adequate and the bread was very good.

Weak points:
Conversation is not possible inside, so if you want to visit with your diner companions sit outside. Cheese tray was not at all good value.

Will return again and try lunch. Hopefully it won't be to cool to sit outside.

NAME: JMS
SUBMITTED: 12/3/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: November 3, 2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: We just ate there for the first time. I liked the feel of the place, small and clean. I loved that I could see the kitchen while I ate. The Soup du Jour was delish. It was a lima bean with greens soup, it lacked nothing and the crusty bread on the side was perfect to soak up all the lil bits at the end. I got the Ruben Sandwich, the bread was good and crispy with russian dressing and chunks of homemade corned beef. It was a bit dry and I would of preferred more sauerkraut but I still ate almost the whole thing (I left a couple bits of bread cause I was full.) The french fries were delish and were perfectly salted, they did not need any ketchup cause the parmesan added just the right something something. My Boyfriend got the Shrimp and Grits and I got to sneak a bite. It was the perfect combo of salt savory and sweet. I might have to get this next time but I might try something new. this place was also great cause its right around the corner the next time I go I want to dive into the wine list! YUMM

NAME: zahava
SUBMITTED: 11/27/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/27/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Strong Points: Quaint, typical Heights atmosphere. Great service. No bottle of wine over $40. Some good food (see below)

Weak Points: Yes, it's hot. Portions are small. I got the meatloaf because of other's suggestions and I am a meatloaf lover. It had great flavor but it was hard and I like meatloaf to be soft. The sweet catsup topping was great. The mashed potatoes were also great. The "sauteed" spinach was basically raw spinach soaked in olive oil. There were no leftovers, which I was disappointed about since it was a $15 meal (again, small portions). Go to S*ullivans where you can get a great meatloaf and a lot of it, for the same price if not cheaper. My husband had the short ribs. Imagine our surprise when there were only 2 small pieces of meat on the plate! He ate it in two bites. Flavor was okay, too heavy on the root beer though. The cheese polenta lacked flavor. The greens were a nice surprise, they tasted like they were sauteed in peanut oil. Nothing I've ever tasted before and we liked them. The $38 bottle of wine we got was just okay. Don't know if we'll be back but maybe we'll try it again and get something different. I really do want to support my neighborhood places!

NAME: KT
SUBMITTED: 11/13/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The food was really, really good. I had the fish tacos and my husband had the meatloaf. Unfortunately the restaurant was very loud and the air conditioning non-existent. I don't like restaurants that blow you away with A/C but I also don't like sweating while I'm trying to enjoy my dinner! Unless they can fix that problem, I won't be back.

NAME: MD
SUBMITTED: 7/13/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 7/6/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The Reuben was great! Also loved the FF's with truffle oil. Addictive. Had their version of funnel cake for dessert. Outstanding. Will return soon.

NAME: Connie Hopper
SUBMITTED: 6/30/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: June 2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Food was smoking! Short ribs were as good as anyone's. However the A/C problem is obviously permanent. It was very hot and uncomfortable. Too many places you don't have to sweat to enjoy.

NAME: Wynnman
SUBMITTED: 6/27/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 06/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: The food was very good..Nice flavors and great service but the noise level is really unacceptable! Pots and pans banging from the kitchen.. our talble of 4 had to shout just to hear each other. Very small place. A/C vent dripping down my back and onto the table. everything was about to 2 to 3 dollars overpriced!

Like I said the food was very good but the lack of amibance will keep us from returning any time soon!

NAME: J.C.
SUBMITTED: 6/24/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 6/24/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I'm thrilled about this addition to the Heights restaurant scene. The food here is absolutely delicious! On my first visit, I had the Homeless Joe (meatloaf with tomato sauce, mashed potatoes and spinach), which was so comforting and satisfying. The lemon icebox pie was cool and creamy, with just the right amount of lemon. Service is great, very personable staff. The ambiance is very charming; however, the noise level makes it difficult to carry on a conversation with even just one other person. Instead of feeling relaxed, I felt a little stressed, and by the end of the evening, I was hoarse. Also, I second the review about the temperature -- the AC must have been broken because I was sweating onto the leather seat. Everything else is fabulous, but please put up some curtains or something to absorb some of the noise!

NAME: AY
SUBMITTED: 6/11/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 6/10/2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I got the corned beef & cabbage, the food was outstanding! The base of mashed potatoes were probably the best potatoes I have ever eaten. My husband got the shrimp and grits and he lo Ed them. The food was fresh and hot, well presented. Will definitely go back soon .

NAME: Kathybeast
SUBMITTED: 6/11/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: June 9,2010
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: food was good, fried green tomatoes and meatloaf yummy! but atmosphere and space made it hard to enjoy. the a/c was not low enough and our entire party was sweating. do not get the table next to the bar, there is not enough room for people to get through and you are constinatly being pushed by people trying to get through.

NAME: cr
SUBMITTED: 6/10/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: 6/10
FREQUENCY: Visited once

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