Comments on: First Taste: Zanaro’s in White Plains

By: Mo

Mo — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 06:44:46 +0000

Bill, they are owned by Apple-Metro. The owner, Zane, may be a millionaire but he started off as a busboy and is a very down-to-earth, no-nonsense kind of guy. He is so committed to Zanaro’s that he comes in twice a week, speaks with the kitchen and waitstaff, walks around, and has a meal—he once said “Even if my other restaurants go down the drain, even if I lose every penny I have in the process, Zanaro’s is going to be one of the best Italian restaurants in New York.” And he obviously meant it. He closed the restaurant for almost a week to perfect the menu and re-train (imagine the profit he lost?), and brought in an expert chef. I don’t work there anymore and I don’t gain anything from saying this, but it is insane to me that people would go to Antipasti or Via Quadronno when they can get delicious food at Zanaro’s for so much less.

P.S.: Liz, you’re right, the bartender’s name is Kris. He’s a good guy.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:02:43 +0000

So does this mean they’re no longer owned by the Apple Metro group that owns Applebee’s in Westchester and some of NYC? Or they just brought someone else in as a partner to get it above Applebee’s level?

By: Irina

Irina — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:59:18 +0000

Hey Liz!!!
I was so happy to read your review. My husband is the Ultimate Italian and he would not even consider Zanaro’s after a bad experience there last summer. We went Friday after our neighbors assured us it was different. Wow, my husband was elated with the “Grandma’s Sunday Sauce”, it reminded him of his Mom’s as a child. I had the Pasta Fagioli and it was so sophisticated, we ordered one to go. What was most impressive is the prices, who would of thought right here in our backyard, Zanaro’s is surely better and we will be great supporters..

By: Julian

Julian — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:40:19 +0000

Thanks Liz,
I had also had a bad experience there several years ago and swore it off, but after the Crains review, we decided to give the place another chance. We ate there last week with 8 friends and we had one of our most memorable experiences. Then again on Sunday for brunch. It was AMAZING, Chef Joe D was Fabulous, we asked him to do a 6 course tasting OMG..I don’t know what Jan R is talking about oversauced pasta, ours included 2 pasta courses that were the best we ever had, there’s a reason they received 3 Stars and it was obvious in the food we tasted. I never had a Chocolate Souffle Omelet before (moaning the whole time), I want it as part of my last meal on earth!!!

We are now part of the converted.

Jules & Manny

By: Rinku Bhattacharya

Rinku Bhattacharya — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:35:01 +0000

We actually tried their Sunday brunch. It was actually a lot of fun. One of the highlights was a chocolate fountain.
Lots of good custom made eggs, carving station, pasta, and friendly wait staff.

By: Jan R.

Jan R. — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:16:23 +0000

I might have to go to try the pizza purgatory. But the pastas look oversauced, which is typical of mediocre Italian American restaurants.

By: Liz Johnson

Liz Johnson — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 02:07:03 +0000

Cool Michael. Please report back!

By: Michael S

Michael S — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:16:32 +0000

I’ll give it another chance based on this review.

Thanks Liz

By: Dina

Dina — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:02:20 +0000

We ate here at Restaurant Week and really enjoyed it.
Glad you gave it a second chance!