Zeppo

08/07/09

Worst food I have ever eaten

by trah

Four adults plus 2 children and none of us had anything that was good. The calamari was almost inedible, the steak, spaghetti and meatballs, and salmon dinners were terrible. Even the pizza for the children was below par. We will never eat there again and would give negative points if we could. They are way overpriced for what they serve. How are they still in business??????

• Pros: none
• Cons: bad food

05/06/09

Great for breakfast!

by PBOregon

I enjoyed a very, very good breakfast at Zeppo this past weekend. Simple, almost provincial egg/meat/veggie dishes; busting with flavor and, most importantly, stomach filling. I'm not sure what brand of coffee they served me, but it was really good!

• Pros: Very tasty Italian-ish breakfasts, excellent coffee, fast
• Cons: Cold inside

03/19/09

Elegance, Value, Friendly People, Great Food! One word ZEPPO

by Wajeallapaem

We go to Zeppo once a week and love it. The atmosphere and food are second to none. The friendly staff only add to an already fabulous experience! The menu offers great selection and value at a time when eating out is now a luxury for most of us.

• Pros: Great Value and Service. Elegant Atmosphere!
• Cons: What are the drawbacks?

03/06/09

NEVER ORDER FROM HERE

by KEB13

My boss orders lunch from here at least a couple times a week; he has ever since Zeppo's opened. They've continually forgotten parts of the meals; I honestly can't remember a time I haven't had to go back and pick something up that they forgot. Finally, this week was the last straw. I spoke with the owner (who acts very pretentious) about this, and he said that next time we ordered a meal from them, it would be on the house. Today I called and ordered my boss's lunch and told the server what the owner had said. When I got there, she said that they had only subtracted the cost of the (last) meal they had messed up, not the entire meal. She called the owner only to apparently have him say, "That's like ordering a hamburger, not liking it, and asking to substitute a fillet mignon." Excuse me? It was only $4 extra, not to mention this was through no fault of OURS, but THEIRS. Ridiculous and rude. Never going here again, and I suggest you don't either if you like being treated well. We're in a recession, and they're throwing away consistent business!

• Pros: Decent food, close-by
• Cons: Worst customer service I've experienced in a long time!

02/14/09

My new favorite restaurant!!!

by jenna1988

Joined my sister on Friday for her 40th birthday and was BLOWN AWAY! The service was impeccable; we were seated immediately and our wait staff was knowledgeable and personable. My scallops were prepared to perfection and the presentation was so beautiful I was loathe to mess it up by actually consuming it but was I ever glad I did! My family had the filet, the garlic shrimp Retto and the Pollo de Orrechiette and each dish was better than the last. My family has been in the restaurant business for years and give ample kudos to Doug Lee and his staff for a job well done. Zeppo's is a GEM!!!

• Pros: Amazing service and unbelieveable food.
• Cons: I can't eat there every night!

01/13/09

The Only Italian fous!

by TheCouveChick

My husband and I live in Vancouver and frequent Zeppo quite often. They have the friendliest staff and of course excellent food. We do not cook but fancy ourselves to be very knowledgeable about food as we go out for almost every meal. We have gone to just about every Italian place in the Portland area and have found none better. They make all of their sauces to order as is evident in the freshness. They have a wide variety of items to choose from including Pastas, Pizzas, Steak, and many more options. If you want to have fresh, great tasting Italian food served by a friendly people at a very reasonable price, visit Zeppo, You will never be dissappointed!

• Pros: It is an entire experience from beginning to end!
• Cons: There is not one in Vancouver. Maybe someday???

12/08/08

unedible pasta

by hooleywho

This place is close to my mother's house, so I thought, "Why not give it a try, how bad could it be?" Oops, it really could be that bad. If you like the Olive Garden, then you will love this place. If you like food that is made fresh and has taste then stay far far away. Yes, they do actually cook here (unlike an Olive Garden's method of open-a-bag-and-nuke). However what is the point if the pasta is so overcooked the kitchen could have saved the time and energy and opened up a can. The rest of the menu seems like it is based on trying not to offend anyone with flavor or originality. As a business model it seems to work, the lemmings keep coming. As an indepentent restaurant, they should be ashamed.

• Pros: in lake oswego
• Cons: the pasta

09/06/08

Consistently good

by romaagain

Tonight was our fourth or fifth visit over 18 months and as usual the food and service were great. We arrived at 8:30 pm found that they offer an evening menu with very reasonable prices. The staff was highly attentive and we felt well served without being pestered. My wife and I ordered a selection of very well done dishes from pasta to chicken and salads including a very tasty caprese. Even with a drink each, and a good tip, it was only $40. A great value!

• Pros: fast well trained service, good food
• Cons: not in my home town

05/21/08

Watch the service charge on a small party at this place

by robert2235

We went out to lunch with two friends, myself and my wife and child. We were immediately informed as we sat down that a 18% service charge would apply on our party which seemed very excessive. I am willing to give 10-15% based on service level, but this presumption that I was to fork over 18% for four adults and one 11 year old seemed way out of line. Indeed, the service was slow and very spotty and I am guessing that since the waitress knew she was getting 18% anyway, why bother. The restuarant was fairly quiet and I can understand it with a larger party but setting the cutoff at 5 people appears very cheap. The server even wrote it the tip on the bill so there was basically no argument. I don't know if I will return as I have been a constant customer over the years and enjoyed the food and the service. To nickel and dime people like this is way out of character for the area and atmosphere of Zeppo's. Or at least was.

• Pros: Food is good, interesting menu
• Cons: High service charge on small parties,parking

12/16/07

Great Italian restaurant in LO

by nobsts

This is a pretty cool Italian place located in downtown LO right next to Five Spices and Manzana.

When you first walk in, it's hard not to notice the curtain that you walk through to get to the waiting area. That was pretty cool. Right next to the wait area is a full bar and behind that is their kitchen. So far so good. We were promptly seated at our table for lunch, and immediately brought out warm bread. This place scored major points with me from the get-go with their bread being warm. Typically at most (Italian) restaurants I go to that's not the case. They had the olive oil and vinegar already at our table and that again scored points with me. No butter in sight. Very nice.

For starters I had the pumpkin soup which I actually wouldn't recommend. It didn't taste like pumpkin at all and was less of a soup and almost more like a thinner paste. I'm glad I only got a cup then and not a bowl. The entree I had was Retto which was shrimp and angel hair pasta. It was cooked to perfection and for an extra $1 I was able to get it glutten free which was a nice touch.

The ambience is really cool. They have tables where a curtain drapes above so it you wanted privacy at those specific seats you could have it. Their lights were pretty interesting. They were your normal lights and instead of a glass light or shade around them they had a collander around some and a cheese grater around others. A very clever thought, especially for an Italian restaurant.

The total meal was around $31 for lunch and that included tip. My friend had the burger and it was pretty good as I had some of hers. So they were a little on the pricey side, but the service was friendly, the food was great, and the ambience was well thought out. I'd have no problem coming back to Zeppo's. They were a nice change of pace from going to Manzana's.