Zelo

The food was very poor. It was cold and rubbery. Also to be noted is the fact that their online menu is inaccurate. Most of the items are $3-4 more than they are listed for. The menu has about half as many options as are listed as well. Don't expect to find an entree (even a burger) under $15. I'm happy to pay $20+ for a plate if if the food is good. This was not worth it. The service was excellent, but it isn't worth dealing with the horrible food. I would avoid this place. more

Our experience with Zelo was far less than satisfactory. We had made a reservation 2 weeks ahead of more

My review is based on a walk-in visit on a Saturday night. I feel it's necessary to post after reading the bad reviews here. My boyfriend and I rarely make reservations, which often finds us in a bind, especially on a Saturday night in downtown Minneapolis. We set off towards Nicollet Mall to find a place to eat before our play at The Orpheum. Zelo is on the corner and looks interesting, so we walk in. We check with the hostess and they are all booked for the night, BUT... the lounge (bar) is seat yourself. So we find a couple chairs looking out on to the street. Our server comes over (I wish I could remember her name now), and is as sweet as can be. She asks if we want drinks and suggests their new margarita (which uses grapefruit juice, St. Germain, and pure agave nectar), I opt to try it as I love me a good Marg. This drink was so amazing and refreshing... I had to have two! After looking over the menu a bit and asking our server what she would suggest, we opt to try out a few small plates and try many things. The food was absolutely delicious!!! The Ahi Tuna on Sesame Crisps ware amazing; flavorful and full of texture with the seared tuna, avocado, and the crunch of the crisps, MMmm! Again, the food was delicious and our service was above par; attentive, helpful, friendly. We inquired about the St. Germain used in the margarita and she told us about it and even offered a little sample of it. I'd say going above and beyond is a sign of good service. I love this place and I can't wait to go back!! Pros: Location, Service, Food, MARGARITA! more

I had an absolutely aweful server, and this is coming from someone who used to be a server. I am very understanding of mistakes and forgetfulness, but this server was rude, neglectful (even though she only had 1 other table!), and actually made me and my guest feel like just getting up and leaving. We ended up leaving cash and bolting in silence. Leaving her a VERY SMALL TIP. Pros: multiple exits in main dining room Cons: SUPER BAD SERVICE more

The hostess had attitude. The server was drunk, and rude. The food was small on portion. We started with an appetizer, and the salad was rotten--I mean black and slimy leaves drenched in dressing. We got a hold of the manager, who apologized, and offered to replace the salad. We refused. If they treat their greens so badly on a Friday night why eat there. We left and ate at the Dakota instead where fresh food is de rigeur on a weekend night. It is the second time we have tried to eat there and had such rudeness foisted upon us. That and a drunk waiter. Gross! Pros: bland food Cons: service more

I had a reservation for a small group and really wanted a special place. The ambience was good. Too noisy until some of the people left. The food was good, but the waiter was incredibly aloof. Someone else used the word ""snooty""in another review, so I wonder is this is the same person. If you want a place to converse, son't go during peak times. Make sure youask for the non-snooty waiter! Pros: Food was very good Cons: Waiter acted like he was doing us a favor to wait on us more

Went to Zelo for our anniversary, every moment was perfect...got sat in a beautiful booth (without having to ask) Wait staff (Jeff) was attentive and friendly. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is in search of a delightful evening. Pros: Best Sea Bass Ever Cons: None, seriously, none more

Even with a reservation, we waited 15 minutes to be seated. The food was average, but you're definitely paying for the atmosphere. Service is very good. It's a very nice-looking place, especially the bar area. On weekends, the bar is so busy it's very hard to get through to the restrooms. I'd go back, but only if I had plenty of time to wait. more

Food average, wine average. Waiter snooty! Wine list does not carry cocktail list. Expensive for the overall value! more

They have the best tomato basil and chicken wild rice soup you will ever have! The lasagna and chicken parmesan are wonderful as well. Pros: Ambience, decor, soup, food more

Visited Zelo for an 8:30 reservation on a Sat night. The host staff was quite nice and the bar seemed active. We were promptly seated but that is where my compliments end. Pros: Ambiance Cons: Bad Service more

I dine at Zelo frequently and am never disappointed. The service is among the best in the twin cities and the food is fantastic. The Ahi Tuna Springrolls are amazing and the fresh seafood is so very good. During my most recent visit I asked my server for wine recommendations and she was very knowledgeable about what paired well with my food. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone who has a real appreciation for good food and wine. Pros: Service, menu more

My husband and I live in Los Angeles. We are visiting Minneapolis for business. I have warm, wonderful feelings regarding the Twin Cities as my mom is originally from here. We were excited to try Zelo as the concierge at our hotel highly recommended it. We had reservations and walked in the door. We were not greeted at all by the hostesses. We stood there for a while while the lead hostess was busy chatting with two men on their way out the door. We finally said to another woman standing there that we were here for dinner and had reservations. She said something to the effect of ""You'll have to wait."" We were struck with the fact that were were not even acknowledged and by the overall rudeness. My husband and I ended up dining at McCormick and Schmicks across the street. We were warmly greeted and immediately shown to a fine booth. The food was delicious and every one in the restaurant was ""Minnesota nice."" My recommendation is to avoid Zelo and go to McCormick and Schmicks right across the street. Cons: unfriendly and uncaring more

My wife and I have eaten here twice. On both occasions we were extremely dissatisfied with the service. The food and ambience was splendid. However, our servers were dreadful; among many things they were slow and rude. We have dined at numerous upscale restaurants and have always had excellent service. Zelo definitely missed the mark. Pros: Ambience Cons: Attitude, Service more

My fiance & I stopped in on Saturday afternoon for an early dinner. Since we were shopping earlier and dressed casually, we decided to sit in the bar area. We ordered calamari for appetizers, rissoto w/wild mushrooms and a sicilian sausage pizza. The risotto was abosolutely the best I'd ever had and cooked to perfection. (Most places I've visited for risotto can never cook it right, its either still hard or too mushy) The portions were also a good size. The only thing that could have been better was having another waiter in the bar area. It was just the bartender and 1 waiter so he was running around from table to table and seemed kind of flustered. All in all, the food was delicious and restaraunt decor was interesting. Definately will be back for more! Pros: Valet Parking, Food, Decor more

Very rarely do I give a wow when it comes to dining here in the cities. I can say that there was really nothing missing. The service was spot on, and the food was great. I have to recommend the ahi tuna appetizer, and the halibut, although my husband had the fettuccini with asparagus and that was great too. From start to finish, Zelo really impressed us! Pros: Service, Food. Setting more

The atmosphere at Zelo is just fantastic. Walking in past the bar and into the spacious main dining room, I was thoroughly impressed by the beautiful lighting and paintings. The food was absolutely delicious. I had the seared diver scallops, miso-marinated Alaskan halibut with soba noodles, and the molten chocolate cake with Tahitian vanilla gelato. The service was warm and pleasant. It was truly enjoyable!!! Pros: Delicious food, lovely atmosphere, pleasant service Cons: Somewhat pricey more

Overall, Zelo's is a great experience. Lovely food with great wines and a serious drinker's bar. Their cesar salad needs to be greatly improved. The romaine was fine, the dressing was all right, but the parmesan was not fresh and the croutons were minimal. The veal scallopine and the squash, on the other hand were amazingly delicious. Coffee and gelato are always classically tasteful. Pros: lunch prices, great pasta, outdoor seating Cons: crowded, noisy at times, dinner/drink prices more

This is a great place - its sleek, sexy, and a great atmosphere. They have great food and the atmosphere is very cool. I recommend it. It is not the cheapest place however. A meal for 2 (including a bottle of wine) would run around $80-$120, Pros: food, atmosphere Cons: prices more

For all the guys looking to impress a special girl on a first date, this is a good one. The atmosphere is romantic and chic. The ravioli was awesome. Service is good. Make reservations!! Pros: atmosphere, food more