ZuZu
November 17, 2007| 5770 N. Mopac, Ste. #500 Austin, TX 78731 (512) 467-9295 & 6317 Bee Cave Rd. Austin, TX 78746 (512) 732-2117 |
Mon-Thu: 8am-9pm Sat-Sun: 8am-10pm |
ZuZu
There’s an old saying about how things come back around. Well, for Russell Arnold and ZuZu’s, the restaurant he began on Bee Caves Rd quite a few years ago, things have come full circle. After moving that restaurant north to Mopac and 2222 10 years ago, a second location of ZuZu’s is back in the Westlake area, this time just outside the 360 Loop across from the County Line and still on Bee Caves Rd. And, always a pleasant surprise in restaurant-curious Westlake, the place has been packed since they opened the doors last month.
ZuZu’s is not your typical Tex Mex restaurant. They don’t use lard. Vegetable oil is the prevailing solvent. You can actually chow down here, enjoy wonderful flavors, and not come out having consumed 8,000 calories!
The Guacamole is light and has a decidedly mellow flavor. I love it. I like to have it with one of their homemade corn tortillas (half the calories of flower tortillas) and some of their fresh salsa on the side. And I can’t resist the Tortilla Soup. The flavor is vintage and the ingredients are pristine. Want a second cup? Go for it. You can inhale more calories just staring at the Lemon Squares at Sweetish Hill. And I love the ZuZu Grilled Chicken Salad. The anejo cheese, roma tomatoes and a sparkling rosemary lime vinaigrette elevate this simple dish to the pantheon of green goodness in Austin. Another recommendation is the Grilled Shrimp Salad. Shrimp lover that I am, the combination of the freshly grilled shrimp on a bed of romaine lettuce with the requisite dollop of guacamole fires up my taste buds.
ZuZu’s has a variety of entrees that range from burritos to grilled chicken platters and flautas, gorditas and enchiladas. And they all rock! My wife likes the Big Bean Burrito that’s packed with blacked beans, mozzarella cheese, grilled veggies, lettuce and corn relish. This will delight all vegans and carnivores as well because it’s got great flavor. The Cheese Enchiladas are another favorite. Covered with a creamy salsa rosa, their is a succulence to this dish that continues to compel me to mutliple orders. Try it and see if you don’t agree.
And you’ve got to try the sizzling Steak fajitas. This is all smoky, seared goodness with the right blend of veggies and just a hint of oil. The meat is wonderfully tender and lends itself to the intercession of a corn tortilla. Another dish that draws me back is the Grilled Chicken Platter. I prefer the dark meat which is marinated overnight in an original blend of herbs and spices. The first bite confirms the meticulous preparation: the taste is at once comforting and equally engaging. Add some corn relish and black beans and you have a feast that is calorically reasonable, yet like everything at ZuZu’s, wonderfully flavorful.
You’ve heard of Hillary Clinton’s oft quoted homage to humanity, “it takes a Village.” Well, at ZuZU’s, the village, namely Westlake, is out in force.They’re a fickle lot, hard to win over, but Zuzu’s has the secret. Good, healthy food at prices that still leave room for a massage or facial.
