Zo Ca Lo shocked people when it showed up in Central Place (that’s in the central part of the Downtown Mall for the unenlightened).
“WHAT? A trendy place not run by Coran?… And it doesn’t serve French Cuisine?”
We loved it back then (it started 3.5 years ago?). I can remember many a night and many a Mojito sitting at the bar. Ted (now at Maya) used to serve us drinks, the Bar was accessible even on crowded nights and the atmosphere was dark enough that you could feel like you were in a big city. People actually dressed up for Zo Ca Lo. But, the problem that irked all of us was the menu NEVER CHANGED…
The food was like Opium. Soon it had no effect on me; and I died in my Lo den
How many times can you eat a Drunken NYC Strip or Cheese Fritters? These things are good, but the paucity of the menu killed my interest…I recently rediscovered Zo Ca Lo. While the menu hasn’t dramatically changed since my days of addiction, it is still fantastic.
They serve heavy fare, and even the Grouper was accompanied by a bed of corn. The Tuna Tartar is unbelievable; the dark, aged vinegar has a certain sensual appeal when matched with Tuna and a little bit of spice. I’m going to find some in town if anyone knows where to get it. The mojitos were good, but they weren’t Ted quality. I’m not so much a fan of the bread they serve. Recommendation: Just succumb to the power of Albemarle Baking like all the other restaurants in town.
The other fantastic thing about Zo Ca Lo is the refreshing lack of underdressed folks. From what I’ve noticed in the last few weeks, the bar sits attractive singles who, even if they aren’t attracted to my horse drawn chariot, are nice enough to strike up a conversation.
I would certainly recommend Zo Ca Lo to Charlottesville, despite its small, unchanged menu. You can OD on the food and the hip atmosphere, but it’s worth it, so long as you culminate in the ecstasy induced death. Your interests will always come back to life and your belly will be craving more and more.
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Tagged as: Bars, Charlottesville, Restaurants, Restaurants/Bars, Reviews
I tried ZoCaLo several times about a year ago and was really turned off by the service. Slim menu, and their desserts were unspeakable. How can you go wrong with dessert? But they did. Their “cheesecake” was a plop of froth. How can that be? The entrees were well prepared, though.
Ted has already left Ten? That was quick! Also, shows how often I go to Ten.
I’ve always gotten good service and food at Zocalo. But the menu does stay rather similar, although it does change at regular intervals. I remember when they used to have green chili grits as a side for the grouper. After that, I basically chased the grits to whatever fish now came with it, after each menu change. Then they’d change what kind of grits, and shuffle THAT around among the fish. But they had better keep that tuna tartar on the menu forever. I love that!
That tuna tartare is the best. I’ve had two perfect meals there recently. It’s pretty impressive if we’re as excited about the sides and garnishes as the entrees. I love the polenta croutons, avocado salad, grits, and carmelized onion bread pudding. They’re really nice about letting you switch out sides, too, which is rare. (Usually, sides are prepared to match the amount of meat or fish portions available, so chefs don’t like to do that.)
Zocalo has amazing interpretations of the Mojito clan: Mojitos, Caipirinhas, etc…But, if the menu is as old as Thor says it is….change it. Perhaps they are too afraid like little sissies that a change in menu will repel their current clientèle?
if you people calling for a menu change cause them to remove the Relleno, I will hunt each of you down and do unspeakable things to you. Seriously. You have been warned.
(I’m fully prepared to force feed each of you $50 of food from McDonalds. From the dollar menu)
oy
Hahahahahahahaha
Downtown, oy, are you in some way responding or related to “Belmont, yo”? While I’m not a frequent CL reader/poster, I noticed that label on a number of entries over there.
[…] Zocalo was filled to the brim on Friday and Saturday nights, leaving me (inevitably) to wonder if Thor had anything to do with it… […]
Oops, never saw this - yeah, I assumed the ‘oy’ handle to respond to ‘yo’’s original “Bear” post on craigslist.
-gary
Nice etymology, there.