Recommends

em307

Joined 6 years ago

We loved this place!. Zeno has the best desserts and great coffee drinks! Our party tried 4 different desserts and all were phenomenal. I recommend this to anyone who has a sweet tooth.

Doesn't Recommend

saleen

Joined 6 years ago

Zeno gets a 'Zero'. By far the WORST wait service I've had in the Twin Cities metro area. Our waiter had two tables of three persons on a non-busy Tuesday eve, so he was not time-challenged. Our main course selections did not arrive together (two of our party had finished their main course when my main course was finally served); a request for a soft drink was forgotten; a request for a side of sour cream was forgotten; the waiter did not clear the table of dirty dishes (appetizer and main course plates sat there through dessert and coffee); desserts did not arrive together (I could see my dessert sitting on the counter waiting to be delivered, and I had to ask for it to be brought to the table); and we had to ask for coffee three times. And as a finale, he forgot to charge us for items, so we were undercharged about $12. Zeno advertises its desserts as a specialty, but the Lava Cake and Cheesecake were ordinary. I did enjoy my white Cosmo martinis, and could be talked into going back for the $3 martini happy hours.

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

First thing or late-night, this stylish cafe lures crowds with fabulous sweets, designer coffees and gourmet snacks.. In Short
Located on the hip and happening corner between the Lagoon Cinema and Uptown Theatre, this sleekly designed, minimalist space offers its own theater of life, with prime people-watching right outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Cafeteria-style ordering fits the early crowd, while later, a relaxed energy, low lights and friendly table service add romance. From early-morning bagels and lattes to late-night creme brulee and French sparkling wine, the cuisine here is as varied as the clientele.

Doesn't Recommend

jtrain12

Joined 8 years ago

The Wine List could Use Work. Usually when I go to a place that considers themselves a wine bar, they should have a good wine list or at least offer the wines on their list. Everyone understands that wine is where the money is and a 3 or 4 times markup isn't out of the ordinary for restaurants, but 6 times markup is insane. Realize that people do know how much YOU pay for wine and tell sell a $12 bottle of wine for $60 is a bit obsurd. Then when your server opens the wine you should maybe consider training them in on correct wine service. Give the person that ordered the cork, then give a taste, at the very least pour for the lady first. The little things people do notice. Take five minutes with your staff and train them in. The concept is great and their should be more places like Zeno.Justnot Zeno

Recommends

AHPerkins

Joined 8 years ago

Great lunch spot. My first visit to the Zeno in LaSalle Plaza was surprisingly good. Had a grilled panini sandwich that was one of the best I've had downtown. Service was prompt and pleasant, and the food was ready in about 10 minutes. The lunch prices were also very reasonable. I would definitely recommend Zeno for lunch.

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gnosism

Joined 8 years ago

High price for average place. For the stacks of wine they like to display they didn't have what I wanted ... just reisling, nothing out of the ordinary. The bartender offered something similar, I said ok ... he replaced a $7 or $8 glass with a $15 one! I had no idea until I got the bill. The food was average. Nothing to rave about. Tried the dessert on another occasion ...the chocolate caramel something... tasted like a plain brownie. Overpriced for average food. Watch out for the tricky bartender.

Recommends

hafn0019

Joined 9 years ago

Unique and Fun Uptown Experience!. On 11/12/04, my GF and I finally made it over to Zeno and enjoyed the experience. We were seated at the longer "cafeteria-style" tables after a short wait during a busy Friday evening. At first, I was turned off to the tables with which you sit typically sit next to your companion in order to share deserts and conversation; however, it proved to be a fun experience being at the same "table" with other couples as dessert comments were passed around. Service was prompt and we received our drinks and dessert very quickly. The truffle cake was excellent complete with a sampling of different chocolate ingredients. The creme-brulee was even blowtorched right in front of the table -- a surprising feat considering the busy hour and proximity of other tables. The coffee drinks were great. I recommend this for a cozy evening finish.

Recommends

hans1247

Joined 10 years ago

Mmm, truffle cake. My friends and I had lunch on a Sunday after seeing a film. The food was hard to choose from, it all looked good. We tried the roasted veggie quesadilla, the apricot chicken salad, the chicken salad sandwhich. The quesadilla was hearty and flavorful, had good sauce. The salad was huge and the apricot dressing was unique and sweet. The chicken salad was ok, nothing too special as far as tase or style goes. The sourdough bread it was served on was dry, but still tasty. For dessert we got the carmel chocolate truffle cake, very rich , creamy and tasy. I needed to order a glass of milk to help savor it.

The service was slow, especially considering the staff to customer ration (numerous people standing behind the counter chatting). The meal prices were reasonable, the desserts are spendy but well worth it.

Recommends

4jhalper

Joined 9 years ago

Critique. I had an awesome brunch at Zeno this weekend. We went in before a movie to have dessert (raspberry almond dessert was the best thing that I've ever put in my mouth) and decided to have brunch. The food was terrific. The french toast was terrific, but the granola really was "famous". The champagne brunch was worth it!

Recommends

dlareme9

Joined 9 years ago

Fun Night!. Went to Zeno on a Saturday night for a friends birthday. We expected the seating to be a long wait but it was only about 20 minutes. Our waitress was very friendly and the manager joked around with us as well. Service was prompt for a busy night. We ordered four different desserts, all were good but the chocolate pecan dessert was amazing. Atmosphere was very fun. Great place for the end of a night out.