Root & Bone

Decent food; terrible atmosphere, service was great. The food was overpriced for the quality, casa mias is far better in taste and price. This resteraunt could use some renos, for the price of the food you'd think they'd make it more classy. I will not return for a second meal. The head chef there never shuts his mouth, I don't pay $100 for my wife and I to indure such ingorance. He should tone down his voice and realize how expensive the resteraunts meals cost, quite unenjoyable.

One of Our Favourites

My husband and I are so lucky there is a restaurant in Fonthill of the calibre of Zest. It is as good as a "Toronto" fine dining. The service is wonderful from the time you enter the front door, and until you leave. There have been times I've been thrilled with the menu, and other times not so much, but still be able to find something that pleased me well. My only criticism, people who have Celiac disease really get left sitting by the curb. Although at Zest they make an effort for those of us who need a gluten free dinner, other steps could be taken. If there are appetizers that are served with bread, rice crackers could be substituted for gluten free diners. Also, there is a wonderful gluten free bakery in Chipawa, that makes wonder bread and glutten free cakes.They even deliver to Fonthill. I just wish more restaurants would educate themselves in gluten free dining. It's not rocket science, and more people by the day are being diagnosed. When my husband and I want to celebrate, we go to Zest. I'm thinking of holding our 25th Anniversary Party at Zest, and inviting 30 of our friends. I know, Zest would not let us down.

My Favourite Restaurant!

I noticed the last reviews for Zest were from a year or two ago and I wanted to assure people they are still an amazing restaurant! We are never disappointed here. It's definitely a "special occasion" restaurant...at least for us, but it's worth it each and every time! The service is incredible. Your water glass is never empty, your bread plate always full. They make a fantastic martini and the food comes out quickly, but still with incredible care. You won't be disappointed.

The food is of excellent quality. Great taste and...

The food is of excellent quality. Great taste and very enjoyable. The main chef was a bit of an ignoramous. Verbally abusing his workers. I hope to see an improved display of manners from him the next time I go, I did not enjoy hearing that garbage when I'm spending $100 on a meal.

Niagara's best cuisine by far!

Zest is a simply a gem. It has an open kitchen concept where you can watch the culinary team in full action. Leigh is the owner and host. She always remembers our name, favorite drink and special anniversary dates. Chef David creates the most wonderful dishes, that not only look great, but make my lips yummy! There are alot of great restaurants in Niagara, but nothing as personal, fabulous and private as Zest. Look for it if you are visiting our area, you WILL NOT be disappointed.

Incredible service, incredible food, great...

Incredible service, incredible food, great evening out. The restaurant was busy, but we were never rushed. We took our time with cocktails and a complimentary starter. The Pate was bar none the best as were the mains! We will return over and over again!

i love this place... the food is incredible...

i love this place... the food is incredible, inspiring & consistant. the service is unlike any restaraunt i've ever been to. i have been going since they opened 3yrs ago(?) and look forward to my next meal there.

My first time to the restuarant and I definately...

My first time to the restuarant and I definately know I will be back. We were greeted at the door by a very polite and freindly lady and brought to our seat immediately and offered a cocktail, we waited to decide on wine but were offered water in the meantime. We promply recieved the water and the waiter then informed us of the features that evening. They were unfortunatly out of the rack of lamb but it was replaced with a unbelievable cinnamon and cumin Ontario Lamb curry, that I couldn't resist, I was not to be disappointed. We started with the calamari which was probably the best I have ever had. Very tender and crisp and the sauce was just spicy enough. I had the lamb curry, which I have already mentioned was unbelievable and my guest had the tenderloin which was cooked exactlyas requested and served with an incredible scallop potato. We finished our meal with the bannoffee pie, what a treat. I would have liked to try the ice cream as well, which they make in house. Not a time during our visit to this restaurant did we wait for service, our bread wa replenished our water glasses were kept full and our wine was poured for us. It was a treat. I really felt that we were appreciated and they were glad we had come to dine with them. The topper to the evening is on our way out, both the servers went out of there way to say good night and thank you, even the chef, David, said good night. Worth ever penny and more! See you soon.

We go there regularly.The flavours are...

We go there regularly.The flavours are incredible. I am sure the chefs spends a lot of time experimenting. Portions are reasonable. Just delicious.The service is also outstanding. The atmosphere is pleasant. It is nice to see the action in the open kitchen.

What an experience. A beautiful restaurant...

What an experience. A beautiful restaurant, wonderful staff and the food was a culinary adventure. Every course was simply amazing, and the wait staff were extremely attentive, professional and kind. I will definitely go back again and again! Ps: the bathroom is pretty too!

The first thing I noticed when walking in was...

The first thing I noticed when walking in was that the ambiance was perfect. We were seated promptly and treated like royalty. Leigh, the Maitre'D, and our server whose name I have regretfully forgotten, were attentive and helpful, without a hint of being intrusive. The entire meal felt very relaxed; there was no sense of being rushed. While we were waiting for the fourth member of our party, our drink orders were taken. I took this opportunity to watch the kitchen staff at work. They were incredibly skilled. Once we were all seated, we perused the menus. My father and I both had the calamari to start. I chose the roasted duck breast and took Leigh's suggestion that it be cooked medium-rare. We were served a beef spring roll either before or after our appetizer (I've forgotten which). Though small, it was just the thing at the time and the presentation and taste were amazing. The calamari was tastefully breaded and cooked to perfection. One member of our party, a former chef, commented that his appetizer of mussels was the freshest he had ever had. The main course was divine. The meat was the perfect taste and texture, the vegetables were crisp and delicious and the flavours mixed very well. There were several options for dessert, including a lemon cr?me brul? (or it might have been cr?me caramel), hand-made ice cream and a rhubarb crumble. My dessert was quite tasty but the main course stood out as my favorite part of the meal. I suspect I would have been more pleased with dessert if I had ordered the ice cream but that's really my own fault since I've never been crazy about rhubarb but I ordered it anyway. Re-reading my review I realize how many times I've used the word "perfect" but there is no other way to describe my experience. The meal was expensive but worth every penny. This isn't a restaurant I would eat at more than a few times a year but I will definitely be coming back.

I was surprised not to see 20 rave reviews. Are...

I was surprised not to see 20 rave reviews. Are people trying to keep this gem to themselves? The restaurant was filled to near capacity (about 3 dozen)for lunch last Thursday so I was glad I had made a reservation several days earlier (that was confirmed promptly). We ordered the Summerfest three course luncheon specials: Asian calamari, quesadilla stuffed with pulled pork and peach crumble with vanilla ice cream for myself; Asian noodles with prawns, curried pork and the same dessert for my spouse. It was nice to be able to chose wine by the glass (only $6)from the wide selection of local Niagara wineries. The two friendly lady servers worked efficiently as a team ;one or the other always seemed to sense when I was ready for another slice of the wonderful fresh baguette. Their professionalism certainly added to the enjoyment of the ambiance. We also consider that we had the best table in the house, next to the open kitchen, because we could observe Michael and his team do their magic with such skill. Was the food so flavourful because of the extra touches like corn and peach salsa or was it due to the obvious freshness and expert presentation? There really ought to be a 10+ category for when "this is as good as it gets" or "I've never had a more enjoyable meal" because Zest deserves it. I must confess to two complaints: first, that the Summerfest menu special is now over and second, that we have a 3 hour return drive to get to Fonthill. Needless to say, we will be back asap. Thanks Zest for a most memorable meal.