Z Bar

Firstly, the bartender Stacy was excellent. She’s very friendly and attentive.
The décor is pleasant and comfortable and people at the bar seem to be having a good time.
The menu is painfully small. I was here two years ago and it was larger. Reading through the other reviews, people describe items that were not on our menu. maybe they scaled back? If so, big mistake. Also there is no drink menu, which is odd for a bar. However Stacy created a nice martini which was very good. Although I found the martini glasses on the small side ie less to drink.
Here’s why the review is 2 stars (technically the food is a 2). Besides the very limited options, the size portions are EXTREMELY small. I came away hungry after finishing my penne with roasted chicken. I’ve been to restaurants all over Providence, and the owners of Z Bar are pulling a fast one by giving such small portions while charging higher than average prices. And to be honest, it was ok, but nothing to write home about.

I can’t review the food for this restaurant because I was so appalled by the horrendous bartender and her attitude towards us. Firstly, she was rude. I was waiting for a friend and she seemed to be annoyed that I was waiting in the restaurant for him. Then when my friend showed up we discovered that they wouldn’t be honoring the Groupon we bought due to a «typo on the website».
So when we finally told her we were ready to sit, she said «sit anywhere». She appeared to be irritated to have to sit us — there was ONE table in the restaurant with customers. When I asked her if it was ok to sit outside, seeing as she was the only one working, she shot back with a «I said sit anywhere!» and walked away. We went outside and three tables were still covered with dirty dishes and glasses. There was no excuse for this being there was only ONE table. She was so rude and ignorant to us that when we finally sat down, we were both so put off that we got up and left. She didn’t even seem to care when we told her we were leaving — she replied with a «K bye!»
I will never go back to this place as long as this woman continues to work there — but then again when youre the owners niece I’m sure its ok to treat people like that.

Not sure why they are not lining up at the door. I forget everytime I go back how great the Z Bar is.
The food at the Z Bar seems to just get better over the many years we head north. The food was fresh, delicious, cooked perfectly and everyone at our party loved everything. When does that ever happen! Not to mention the great service, friendly and comfortable.
We love Paolo who always makes you feel at home. And the chef Joe Magna came out and met us which was so appreciated becasue we got to tell him how wonderful his cooking was.
We eatout multiple times a week and try many restaurants all over RI, but this little gem never disappoints.

This place has a towing scheme! The service was horrible on top of it! They forgot my date’s beer and my overpriced drink was terrible!
Now back to their towing your car scheme. They have a parking lot that says parking for z bar only. To my suprise when i came outside my car was towed. I called the # and i was told because its not the section for z bar??? I went back into z bar and the bartender told me they have not owned that lot for over a year and gave me the owners # since it clearly has the sign it is their parking lot (btw # was fake)
I go to pick up my car and the man who towed my car said the door was locked and he asked the bartender outside if anyone was in the bar and he said no, Then when i questioned him he changed his story and said he did not see me in zbar i said well i have the receipt with the time. He said you will have to dispute with the owner of zbar.
so why do their stories change and why was he so mad when i told him i was recording with my phone his refusal of my receipt.
$ 140 later i been getting the run around. I really feel zbar and the tow company are in on this together and I am not the only one this has happened to from the responses I got a my facebook post. I mean which story was it and why the fake # to the owner of zbar, it just seems fishy!

My girlfriend and I decided to take our mothers to Z Bar for a mothers day late-​lunch. We were sat outside and greeted by a rude and careless waiter. The waitstaff was arguing in front of other customers, as well as drinking at the bar.
I can appreciate that we arrived at 2:30 for a late lunch, and I am sure they were swamped with Mother’s day brunch crowd. Regardless, we waited for 40 minutes for our entrees, received ritz crackers with our «cheese and crackers» plate, and our waiter was slurring his speech and was clearly drunk. The staff was unfriendly.
I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

It’s always D-​E-​A-​D at the Zbar. I don’t know how they stay open the atmosphere is soooo boring and mostly because there are never more than 3 or 4 people in the place. And it’s a shame because it’s a great location. The current owner ought to sell and give it up to people that know the restaurant business.

I was heading out to dinner with friends — we had wanted to go to Red Stripe because of their ‘something for everyone’ sorta menu but the wait was too long. So — Z bar it is!
We had a few orders of calamari. I didn’t think I was a calamari snob… but I did not find this lightly breaded. Also — calamari comes 2 ways: with marinara, or with banana peppers (IMO). At Z bar, you get 2 banana pepper rings and if you want marinara it’ll come with a surprise $.50 charge on the bill.
Our table of 6 had an assortment of entrees, including the Salad Nicoise (which, for some reason, doesn’t come with tuna as is standard with the traditionally prepared version), burgers, and a chicken sandwich. Across the board we all felt that it was sort of blah. The burgers weren’t amazing. The chicken was a bit dry. I liked the dressing-​to-​salad ratio on the Salad Nicoise. Overall, just ‘eh’.
The one thing that I’d add which would have brought this down to a 2-​star versus 3-​star was the odd service and crazy sleepy music. By the end of the meal, I would have been napping… had it not been for the waiter, who buzzed around the table like a hummingbird, never staying long enough to catch all of the drink orders or to answer a question that someone was trying to squeeze in.
Overall rating: there are better places in Providence for food, ambiance and service. Try those instead.

$ 9 Sangria… methinks not again.

2-​stars on Unilocal means «meh. I’ve experienced better.» And that is certainly true. The décor and environment of this place is good… And that was about it. Food was mediocre, drinks mediocre, service mediocre.
My biggest complaint is their menu. They do what some other restaurants do and create several different meals/​apps that are basically the same thing. If you were to condense their menu down so nothing was repeated, it would be a VERY small menu. And it would be admissible if the food was really good– but, it’s not.

I liked Z bar until I had my meal. It’s a nice little corner restaurant with a genial old host and friendly staff. The interior, including the bathrooms, patio and palatial booths reflect a nice throwback style.
The menu is standard restaurant fare. Pretty unremarkable with nothing that stands out. But the wife reported what she had was well made. I think the calamari is probably the best in town. So what’s the problem? It’s the fact that i’m scared and nauseated after eating here.
I ordered the burger and specifically asked for it to be cooked medium. I took a couple of bites and noticed the consistency to be a little too smooth for my liking. I look down and notice the meat to be neon pink. I inspected it with a fork, only for it to clump off in little smooth pieces. I nearly threw up right there at the thought of eating something raw and poorly prepared.
It’s been a couple of days, but I am dreading catching a food borne illness like ecoli or salmonella because some incompetently run place couldn’t cook a burger properly. I am figuratively shitting my pants as I type this. I only hope that the figurative does not turn to literal.

I couldn’t decide whether to give this place 3 or 4 stars. If it was just about the food I would definitely give it 5 stars. All of us eating (3 in total) loved our meals. I got the ratatouille which tasted super fresh — I couldn’t imagine it being any more delicious! My sangria was amazing as well!
There is just something about this place that makes it a little weird. It could have been the fact that there were about 3 groups of people in the restaurant on a prime Friday night (during restaurant week). Or it could be the slow service (despite the aforementioned 3 groups). Or maybe the slightly awkward decorations that don’t really match in the restaurant — some of it looks like they are trying to be super trendy and other things look like it could have belonged in my grandmothers house. I cant really put my finger on it…
Either way, I will be back to try more of their tasty dishes!

Ate here on a whim last night, as I have been dying to try the food here and it was well worth the wait! I started (yes, started.) with the homemade pumpkin cheesecake and it was absolutely amazing! I wanted to share it with everyone at the bar considering they were asking me how it was and drooling over it themselves. Next, the boy and I ordered drinks and food. He had striped bass with eggplant over rissoto and I opted for the pasta with homemade sauce and fresh basil since I couldn’t decide between the delicious sounding pizza or a juicy burger. My standard dish was very tasty and the fresh basil really made the dish, something so simple that places should do, but don’t. When I tried the striped bass, time stopped, or it seemed to at least. The fish was so fresh that I am almost certain they personally went fishing when they heard it was ordered, caught it, and cooked it. That’s how fresh the striped bass tasted!
Overall, clean place, friendly/​attractive waitresses, and a hilarious bartender that made sure to ask how to food was and keep our drinks full. Outdoor seating seemed like a good option as well for a nicer night, very roomy.
The patrons are also friendly. Chatting at the bar, talking about the food and everyone I overheard at the bar raved to the bartender about the food, which I don’t always overhear everywhere I dine …
I cannot wait to eat here again and try something new everytime I am here.

I stopped in here for a late lunch and was greeted by an awesome bartender and a small, slightly older crowd. The bar was airy and bright, which made having a few beers that much more enjoyable. I went with a portabella burger and a side salad, which is actually on the salad menu. Basically, you get a bun-​less burger and a caesar salad. It was really good actually, the portabella and cheese combo complimented the burger quite well. I don’t necessarily think I would have stopped in here normally, but it happened to be the only spot open at the time. For this, I’m glad I did.

I wonder what Manny Almeida (promoter of boxer Rocky Macriano, among others) would say if he could come back and see what’s become of his Ringside Lounge, now perhaps the most chichi of eateries on Wickenden Street — Z-​Bar. Long gone is the raucous bar, loud with the chatter of Portuguese residents of Fox Point, where I used to drink as an undergraduate and upon which it is said that Meredith Vieira once danced. There is still a prominent, attractive sky-​lit bar and an open dining space with tables nicely distanced in an apparently random way. But there is a new focus on food, reflected in the diverse menu from which we drew our lunches.
I was here with my wife and two business acquaintances. My wife picked a salad of Gorgonzola, walnuts and apples atop a fluffy pile of mesclun. Our companions chose a chubby tuna panini (with one-​half interestingly stacked on top of the other) and a large (though billed as an appetizer) portion of ravioli. I raided the appetizer listings, too, for a very generous crabcake, packed with genuine crab, on a small bed of greens, graced with snippets of Portobello mushroom. An economical, satisfying lunch for all.
We all departed satisfied and well-​served by a waitperson who tended to our needs unobtrusively and who also researched the name: the place is named for Elizabeth … but now a new mystery: who was this Elizabeth and why this claim to culinary fame? Something to work on next time, when we dine once more at this casually sophisticated spot.

I’m still a Providence «rookie,» but Z-​Bar is, by far, one of my favorite spots thus far. I would recommend this place to EVERYONE. I have been three times, and every time leaves me hungry for more.
This tiny restaurant on Wickenden is cozy, romantic, comfortable and unique. I’m dying to sit in the window seat, but the rest of the place is nice too. The service is friendly and as prompt as you want it.
Oh, and the menu. Let’s talk food. The food is delicious. They have a small menu, but there is generally something for everyone: a lil steak, some seafood, an offbeat entrée or two, maybe even a vegetarian option. Everything is prepared to perfection, and the flavor combinations are inspired.
There is a full bar with your typical beer, wine, martinis, cocktails, etc. On my last visit, however, I discovered their Dark and Stormy, and boy was it worth discovering. For $ 9, they serve it up just like in Bermuda… but in a pint glass! A whole 16 oz. of dark rum and ginger beer heaven.
During the warmer months, there is an outdoor patio behind the restaurant with umbrellas.
In Providence and looking for something off the beaten trail? Please go to Z-​Bar… and tell me how you like it!

Easy location, late hours, decent service, a-​ok beyond pub food.
My friend and I loved it here.
We were expecting younger crowd no such luck (older couples, and a huge party that looked like high school graduation. grandparents types)
Food was pretty good.
Had some different selections other than your standard cheese burg.
I had calamari with sparkling wine (fancy at z bar)
While my friend dined on a chicken type dish (I forget)
We both enjoyed ourselves.
Plenty of seats, patio out back, good for a quick late casual meal if in the area of wicken.
Plus, z bar had availability for us
(we first tired to go to duck n bun., which was full.)

I love going to Z-​Bar for drinks and dessert. They have a great dessert menu including on average 3 – 4 that are gluten free. The food at lunch is good and reasonably priced, making it a great place to go for a burger. However, the menus at both lunch and dinner are VERY light on vegetarian options.
There is never any problem getting seating — in fact the restaurant is often almost completely empty, to the detriment of the overall atmosphere. Despite the lack of clientele the service is never amazing.

UPDATE! —- new review! 4−7−13. went back to a staff that would do backflips to accommodate you. Manager even called a local liquor store to get a new «bacon» vodka for a bloody mary! then offered to make fresh iced tea for an Arnold Palmer. my fillet was perfectly rare, Caesar salad tops! Bread pudding OK (sauce a bit scorched) but chocolate moose would launch you into orbit! word from staff is all in-​house made except for ice cream. looking forward to weekly specials on fixed price menu $ 19.99! I think the awesome bartender told me they have a new french chef — good move!
OLD REVIEW — this place used to be moving and shaking. Lately, the past few years I think they are resting on their laurels. Nothing new, nothing innovative, nothing has changed. food is OK but that is just it — OK. It leans to the expensive side and I don’t think the quality is there. Never sure what is fresh or made on site. Usually get a burger or split a few apps with friends. Really nothing I can say «Wow, gotta try it!» The wait staff is very nice after all they are working for tips. Bartender was awesome. I just wish they send the chef to a few JW weekend classes to relight the fire, or look for a chef with enthusiasm and passion. Both of which are lacking in the menu.

I went here this weekend with my fiancée while we up in RI on a trip. There were a number of very interesting looking shops and resturants on Wickenden Street, but we just decided on this one on a lark. And what a good choice it was!
Z Bar has a welcoming atmosphere from it’s décor to its attractive and polite staff. Very chique and classy, but with none of the pretensiousness often found in such places in RI. The food and drinks were excellent. A bit on the pricey side, but it’s a great place for a nice meal out with friends or a date.
For drinks, I sampled the peach martini, the dark and stormy and an irish coffee. The martini was delcious, but the dark and stormy blew me away. Goolsing rum and ginger beer. Great drink. And their Irish Coffee was hands down the best Irish Coffee I’ve ever had. Not to strong, not too sweet. Fresh cream. Perfect after meal drink.
I ate the Ahi Tuna wrap and it was wonderful. We split the Banana Foster cheescake — another delight.
I would definately come back here if in the area again.

The food is nothing spectacular, but I love Wickenden street, and this is the lone up-​scalish (even if not fine dining) establishment therein. I love the patio, it has an urban yet beachy feel. They do fine light fare, and I have had exclusively good service. Looking at the other reviews, maybe ive been lucky, but this has always been a well above average experience for me.
What the fuck is with the dead hornet pic, Bryce (Elmer)?