Ziziki’s, located on the corner of Preston Road and Forest Lane, lives up to its Mediterranean food description. Unlike most “Mediterranean” restaurants around, Ziziki’s food is inspired by Spain and Italy with predominant influences from Greece. Unfortunately, the focus of the establishment seems to be their image. With professional business cards on display and their logo plastered on any logical surface, Ziziki’s seems to overlook the meaning of a true Mediterranean dining experience.
The exterior of the building matches the surrounding theme. Light beige painted walls and a tile roof give the appropriate feel. The building can easily be missed due to its location in the center. It is directly behind the corner building and adjacent to a Chase Bank. The small, blue Ziziki’s sign doesn’t help notify future guests of its whereabouts. The shopping center in general is a very ordinary area, consisting of a handful of small businesses and a vacant grocery store. Their convenient parking is a positive, forgetting the hassle of valet or long walks.
Entering the building, you are greeted with tables in the foyer, possibly confusing to first time guests. The host podium is directly in front of the doors, just five steps in. Airy curtains, white and beige tablecloths, and mirrors give the front of the restaurant a very bright and open mood. The interior dining area has a dimmer ambiance, providing a better evening dining experience. Detailed accents on the windows play up the interior design, while contemporary art and fabrics confuse it. Ceiling fans and sturdy chairs provide a necessary touch of detail to the space.
The restaurant is owned by the Arabatzis family. They are of Greek decent, donating their cultural knowledge to the food and style of Ziziki’s. The name, Ziziki, is actually a Greek sauce that is used in Greece as commonly as ketchup in America.
Currently, two locations exist, one on Preston Road and the other on Travis Walk. There are plans for an additional two in the near future.
Ziziki’s image is not the only thing the owners take pride in; the food is always the best quality and a top concern. U.S. foods are their main supplier, delivering fresh twice weekly. They also have their seafood flown in from Hawaii. To fully serve their customers, Ziziki’s provides catering and take out options.
Ziziki’s cuisine does not disappoint either. Their large but concise menu provides the right amount of options for any patron. There is also a nice variety of vegetarian options. Good menu choices include the Ziziki Bread, a nice mix of Greek and Italian herbs on a pita with Ziziki Sauce. The Artichoke Humus is also a tasty appetizer. The Greek Island Chicken and the Rack of Lamb are delicious options for the main course. Don’t forget to order the Spanikopita or the roasted potatoes, both of which are done to perfection. To finish off the mean, a piece of Baklava Ice Cream Cake serves a happy few.
Lunch specials are more than $10 while the dinner menu easily exceeds $20 a person. Ziziki’s overall rating is certainly good enough to land them on my list of restaurants to return to.
