Rooms with a View

Zin Bistro

By Julie Stankowski

If you think you have to trek to Malibu to find a waterfront dining experience, think again. You can get that right here in Westlake Village at Zin Bistro Americana, an upscale yet cozy neighborhood restaurant.

The sound of crashing waves is replaced with views of ducks and boats gliding along a tranquil lake. The setting provides for a romantic, relaxing and satisfying meal. Add the unique menu which puts a chic twist on old-fashioned comfort food, a friendly and attentive staff, and a specialty cocktail and you won’t miss the waves for one minute. Running the gamut from juicy steaks and fresh seafood to rack of lamb with ratatouille and southern fried chicken, Zin’s menu is sure to please any palate. And if you like a fine glass of wine with your meal, Zin (short for Zinfandel) offers an appealing albeit limited selection, including a Stella Pinot Grigio, a Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay and a Leticia Pinot Noir.

Zin’s décor and layout are also distinctive. You may be drawn to the “Velvet Room”, which has an old-world Men’s Club feel, with oversized booths upholstered in a chocolate brown velvet fabric, perfect for a power lunch or private meeting. Or the main dining room may be more your style. It is a romantic and airy room with an artistically hand-made concrete floor, a dark wood ceiling made to resemble a capsized boat and elegant track lighting which creates the illusion of candlelight. Each table provides a fantastic lake view through the floor to ceiling wall of glass which can be rolled completely open and hidden away for the ultimate in indoor/outdoor dining. With ceiling fans, heaters and a tall round fire pit, the outdoor patio is also a great choice. Wherever you choose to sit, the many candles and little white lights strewn around the restaurant’s perimeter provide a peaceful ambience.

For those who want just a cocktail and are in the mood to mingle, you can head to the restaurant’s U-shaped bar equipped with a flat screen television, an upbeat mood, the ever-present lake view and a long list of fun specialty drinks. If you prefer more anonymity, there is a second bar area, separated from the main bar by a dual-sided fireplace, with pub tables and stools and its own flat screen television.

On the short list for our next visit:
“Zin Surf & Turf” Maine Lobster Tails & Medallions of Filet Mignon Towered with Sauteed Spinach

Our meal began with the Spicy Ahi Tuna Tartar appetizer, elegantly prepared tableside. This dish, fresh and flavorful, was among our favorites of the evening. The Caesar salad, also prepared tableside, was crisp and crunchy with a zesty homemade dressing. The Onion Ring Tower served on a silver platter is also quite popular. What we liked most, however, was Zin’s Americana comfort food. Some must-haves are the creamy Macaroni and Cheese baked to perfection with a golden brown crust of crispy parmesean, the unique Chicken Fried Lobster (a little heavy, but very tasty) and our top choice, the Steak and Ale pie. The ultimate in comfort food, this “pie” is made with tender pieces of Angus beef and is reminiscent of a stew that has been simmering in your grandma’s kitchen for hours. It comes topped with a flakey puff pastry shell which tastes as good as it looks.

Last, but definitely not least, are Zin’s decadent desserts. End your meal on a sweet note with Zin’s signature Bananas Foster. Another tableside creation, sit back and watch the flames erupt from the pan before enjoying this classic, but ultra-sweet dish. Or, try Death by Chocolate, an enormous piece of molten chocolate cake which will appease any discriminating chocoholic. And save room for one of Zin’s creative after dinner drinks like the Black Truffle Latte, a sumptuous combination of Godiva Dark, Seagrams Vodka and Café Latte. A dessert in itself, it is a perfect way to end your evening.
While tasty cuisine and professional service may keep you coming back, Zin’s serene lakefront setting is reason alone to try this local American Bistro.
So, save your gas money and avoid the L.A. traffic. Instead, savor a glass of “Zin”-fandel right here in your own backyard.