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Ask the Critics:
Mediterranean Finds:
Zare on Sacramento: Hoss Zare' creates
food as lusty as his name. Bold flavors and bright presentations are the
backbone of his cuisine, which includes an assortment of grilled roasted
vegetables topped with goat cheese and fillet of sole stuffed with
Chardonnay-and-lime-marinated crab. In addition, he always has two or
three vegetarian main courses such as stuffed artichoke with basmati and
wild rice. The room has a warm, cavelike feel that suites the nature of
his food combinations.
2002 Zagat Survey |
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"Host-with-the-most"
Hoss Zaré sets apart this "little jewel box" from the
other "uptight", "overpriced" "options in
the Financial District"; his "personal touch" is
evident throughout, from the "homey Med" fare to his
regular schmoozing with customers; N.B. the new billowy decor has
breathed new life into the dining room.
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Click here to read other Zagat reviews of Zare'
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A well-appointed cave in the canyons of
the Financial District, Zare is the kingdom of chef-owner Hoss Zare, a
hulking, personable man sporting beard and ponytail. The low,
copper-plated ceiling makes for an obnoxiously loud dining experience,
but other than that there's much to like at this power luncheteria.
Chef Zare infuses dishes such as foie gras with smoked salmon and
lentils with a baroque energy. There's a riot of flavors and
textures in each of his creation, and many lead the diner to wholly
unexpected places: try smoke pheasant and port- marinated fig salad and
you'll encounter minute silvers of bell pepper, tiny chunks of goat
cheese, and pomegranate seeds scattered throughout. Nor does the
chef skimp on dessert: chocolate souffle with a dab of mascarpone is a
guaranteed head-turner. A thoughtful wine list and gracious
service only sweeten the pot.
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Need
Pampering and Food?
Try Zare
Bill Citara
Examiner Food & Wine critic
There may be more elegant restaurants in
town, restaurants with more cachet and even better food. But no
restaurant does a finer job of pampering, taking care of and making its
customers feel that their dining pleasure is actually important than
Hoss Zare's cozy, 8 month-old Financial District eatery.
Before the dinner crush, the restaurant's
6-foot-plus, movie star handsome chef/owner works the stylish dining
room with practiced ease, like Michelangelo painting church ceilings or
Joe Montana splitting the three-deep zone. Zare's a pro but he means it,
taking the time to describe a particular dish, answer questions and just
chat. That attitude -- the polar opposite of the aforementioned 'Tude --
percolates down to the entrie staff and lasts throughout a meal, when
the boss is but a blur of motion, turning out dish after elaborately
crafted dish after elaborately crafted dish from his tiny open kitchen.
Click here to read full review.
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