Chez Zee

Went here for an anniversary dinner, everything was just ok. Service wasn't poor, but wasn't great. Felt the same way about the food. Had Salmon and hubby had their signature dish. Did I mention there was a fly in my husband's beer? UGH! It was replaced immediately and I suppose it could happen anywhere. \r Would probably return for the atmosphere, but wouldn't rush back. Pros: Atmosphere, location easy to find Cons: Moderate food more

Since the 80's, this spot has been hitting the mark... When it was Chez Fred it was good, and now, it's a little ""houtie toutie"" but still dang good...\r Sort of hidden in Northwest Austin, a great place to get dinner. Don't listen to folks that say just get dessert or coffee there. Do the whole thing.\r Friday and Saturday offer prime rib that cannot be missed. Pros: Mmm. Good Food. Cons: Pricey, but worth it. Crowds on the Weekend. more

What happened? Back in the day, you could go here for not only guaranteed delicious, unique food every single time, but fabulous service and a wonderful, lovely atmosphere. Now, for what ever reason, it seems you must have extra attitude to go to be a part of this gig. The food is still great most of the time, but the portions are smaller and the prices higher. As a frequenter of Chez Zee, I took the time to send a very polite Email through their website to tell them of my disappointment - that was a year ago - I never heard so much as a response of a care in the world. Pros: Such potential. Cons: Potential is lost on attention to attitude. more

I love going to Chez Zee for happy hour. Their drinks are cheap and the appetizer list is huge and cheap! The food is good and the ambience of the restaurant resembles a funky decorated house. The service can be off and on; the first time I went our waitress was on top of things and did everything right, but the second time we went it seemed like the waitress didn't know what she was doing and we had to wait awhile to get the right menus, drinks, etc. Overall however, I would definitely recommend this place for happy hour. Pros: Great happy hour prices, ample parking Cons: service more

Chez Zee has done a wonderful job of keeping up with my ever-changing reservations and accommodating a very large group. The atmosphere is unique, romantic, and friendly to groups. The food and desserts are wonderful and the service is timely and friendly. It's definitely a one-of-a-kind Austin restaurant that, unlike many typical Austin restaurants, will take care of you. more

Oh, Chez Zee, I used to love you, but it seems like we're growing apart.\r \r Your desserts are still scrumptious and some of your entrees are still quite tasty. I can't really afford most of your menu because it continues to reach for the heavens in price, but some of the low-priced sandwich options are quite flavorful.\r \r But your service? My god, your service is terrible. Last night, I think I finally decided to break up with you. It's inexcusable to make me wait five to ten minutes to get my drink order taken. It's inexcusable to make me wait ten minutes more for a glass of wine and some water. Why didn't you pick up my table's plates after we finished? Even waiters at huge, soulless chains do that... And certainly, it's inexcusable to make me wait thirty minutes between picking up the check and giving back the receipt to me. For a while, I was worried that you'd run off with my credit card. \r \r If I ever decide to return to you, Chez Zee, it will be to pick up a piece of cake to go. The relationship is over. Pros: Great desserts, good sandwiches, interesting decor Cons: Terrible service, overpriced more

Enjoyed the brunch choices - Sirloin Benedict and Creme Brulee French Toast were delicious. Service was pretty good - waiter was friendly but not overly attentive. Like the fun atmosphere. Overall, a fine restaurant. Pros: Great brunch, piano player some nights Cons: Some items overpriced more

I agree with the previous review. I've been to Chez Snob several times and I have not been able to find worst service in the city. \r \r The owner obviously is going for the all American customers are annoying and disgusting attitude. My last visit was several months ago and I won?t be back. The Owner, the Hostess and the Waiter were all disinterested in my families visit. Once time I did have a friendly Waiter but apparently he left, the Owner must have fired him for being too nice or too Austin.\r \r With the exception of the fried pickles, the food is decidedly mediocre. The last time I was there I had the worst Pizza I?ve ever eaten. Can?t remember what it was called, It was chicken based. I do remember it had way too salty. I was thirsty for the next few days.\r \r There are too many good Austin fares to waste my time with Chez Snob. \r Pros: Fried Pickles Cons: Everything else more

Consistently poor service- I kept going back because the location is convenient to my home and my son likes the fried pickles...but no more. A few days ago - my son and I stood at the hostess stand waiting to be seated as waiters buzzed around.....there were diners, but it was not crowded at 3:30 on Sunday afternoon. The owner, nudged past us with a friend, and then stood behind me describing her Christmas tree decor to her companion.. ""Aren't these ornaments cute! I should sell them but didn't know how to display them....blah, blah""...and we wait. The owner's friend is eyeing me; we're all together in a tight space, and her eyes send me a polite ""Sorry"". As I turn to interrupt the owner to see if she might possibly wonder why we're standing there, or might want to seat us or ask someone to do so, a hostess appears and, before I can say anything, the owner's FRIEND blurts out to the hostess ""These people are waiting-"" The owner is blah, blah oblivious. This experience is after months of my not going to Chez Zee since the last time I swore them off for poor service.....the waiters consistently have too many tables to provide the basics of seating, order-taking, water-filling or bill service and are often snobbish (huh?)...I don't take it personally....the work morale is obviously low. The menu has highlights with just as many disappointments; the salads and dressings are nothing special, the chicken dishes are generally a no, the pasta is ok (as in, you could do it as good at home). The brunch is superior as is the bread, olive oil and fried pickles...but one can't escape the poor service. Last year I decided only dessert take-outs from Chez Zee (it's so close to my home!)...but then waited 20 minutes (no exaggeration) at the bar to pick up a pie that I'd ordered two days prior...and the Manager, who was waiting on me, returned to ask me twice ""And you're here to get....?"" Low service, spotty food with consistently high bill and attitude: Chez Zee. Pros: convenient location, brunch menu, soups, cute decor Cons: noisy atmosphere, consistently poor service, spotty menu more

I really Love this restaurant! I take all my friends there on their Birthdays. Its perfect, really quiet and cute, (Unless your there for Brunch, then you might as well be at Ryan's). The food is OK but you really go for the ambience and dessert not necessarily for food and Drink, their Bellini's taste like Peach Crystal Light with Vodka. We Love the Piano Man. Try the Orange Fluffy Cake (I forget what its called but its a party in your mouth). \r Pros: Orange Fluffy Cake Cons: Water Downed Drinks more

I love Chez Zee! I have been there at least twice when a marriage proposal has been made ( and twice accepted! ) and like going on weekends after a movie or a theatre production because they have their entire menu until midnight. Nothing like a great Filet Mignon nice glass of wine and sumptuous dessert at 11:30pm! Overall I would say this is definitly a must visit restaurant if you live in Austin or will be visiting. It's ecclectic cuisine, funky decor, live piano music, great wine list, great full bar, and cool new courtyard seating make it unique, interesting and memorable! Also, Chez Zee does a LOT of charitable work around Austin and we try to go to restaurants that support the community which Chez Zee gives more than their fair share too! They also have lots of vegetarian option and the BEST desserts and complimentary valet ! Pros: great food , great service , great ambiance more

Fun ""Austiny"" neighborhood bistro. A place for all occasions: I can take clients to lunch, I can take my wife on a romantic dinner, and take the kids out for crème brulee French toast at brunch. With a huge menu to suit most tastes and a dessert selection to die for (Mocha Fudge tort) and a fabulous wine list, not to mention the new court yard (think half prices app during happy hour), Chez Zee has got it going on. Plus they will really cook you a steak at 11:59 on a Saturday night after a show. Pros: great dessert, reservations accepted, wine list Cons: Parking, north Austin, Near Mo Pac more

I swore off this restaurant 5 years ago, after a horrible experience there involving bland, overpriced, dried-out chicken breast. But, for brunch with a party of 12, I thought I would give it another try. The parking situation is horrible. Our group had to form in the 'gallery' until we were all present, which was OK, but the staff there were unhelpful and rude when asked if anyone had turned in some eyeglasses that were left behind. The dining room was crowded, and very noisy. The food arrived in spurts, and no one had his /her entire entree served at the same time. This was lousy at best, and the food was disappointing. I'm not sure why $12 egg dishes should be continued when most people don't finish the servings. The creme-brulee French toast looked interesting, but no one who ordered it finished it, nor took home the remainder. Pros: location Cons: parking, bad value, marginal quality more

Chez Zee is continually one of my favorite spots for two. It has a great atmosphere, wonderful brunch, and the best dessert in all of Austin. Even if we don't have time to eat the creme brule french toast is available to buy and fix at home. The coco leches cake is my favorite. I would definately recommend this restaurant to anyone having a party, wanting a delicious, unique brunch experience, or for a great date. Pros: dessert Cons: parking more

My husband and I anticipated dining at Chez Zee after reading reviews in the Chronicle and viewing their brunch menu online. I especially wanted to try the Creme Brulee French Toast. We were seated in a corner even though the restaraunt was not crowded. We enjoyed the croissants and strawberry butter but were not impressed with the quality of our food. Our bill was around $50- which was way too much to pay for the quality and presentation of our meal. Pros: tasty butter Cons: mediocre food more

I've been here for brunch a couple of times and lunch once. They try hard to be chic, and I guess they pull it off. But for some reason the ""SCREAM AND YELL"" sign must be lit as soon as they open the doors, as everyone converses as though they were sitting in chairs across the street from one another (with a freight train passing in the middle.) I've never experienced any restaurant so noisy. Bring earplugs if you can, as the food is pretty good. Pros: deserts, brunch foods Cons: noise more

We have eaten a Chez Zee many times in the past year hoping to have a good experience (based on the citysearch rating of 9.2) but it just hasn't happened. The food is mediocre at best and the service is flat out terrible -- every time we go. Chez Zee is a very poor value, especially for brunch, because the prices for what you get are really out of whack. I am happy to pay $40-50 for brunch for 2 people is the food and service are good, but at Chez Zee they just are not. We won't be eating here again because everytime we do we are disappointed with the food and service and then when we get the bill it just adds insult to injury. Cons: Value, Service, Food Quality more

The food at Chez Zee is pretty standard and somewhat overpriced. It's also extremely noisy. However, there are times when it's a good place to go. I highly recommend going on Wednesday nights just to chill out, meet with friends, have just dessert and coffee and listen to the piano player. I wish the piano was in a quiter area so I could hear more, but Jacinta's not bad on the eyes either! Pros: Jacinta, Desserts Cons: Noisy!, Busy more

I've heard some good things about Chez Zee, but my personal experience was disappointing. Their famous pancakes turned out to be chewy, flavorless, and cold. My girlfriend's omelet was good, however the home fries were cold and chewy. The croissant seemed stale, although the warm strawberry butter was excellent. I suspect that half our food had been cooked hours before. The ambience could've been nice, if they weren't constantly rearranging tables and dragging chairs around us. They weren't busy, yet it still took about 20 minutes for our food. I was expecting a lot more for a $12 pancake platter, and frankly I would've had a better dining experience going almost anywhere else. I may try Chez Zee again one day for their dessert, but I'll never go back for a meal. more

I've been here a few times for brunch & have been nothing but impressed. Croissants w/ warm strawberry butter, yuuummmm. Mimosas with the girls, lovely! Just remember to make a reservation. My only complaint is that the host was a little snooty when I called to make my reservations. However, the experience I've had with service in the restaurant has been good. Pros: mimosas, brunch more