Zinfandel Grille - Sacramento

Recommends

fulcrum777

Joined 6 years ago

Decent restaurant, but ridiculous mark-up on wine. I have eaten here a number of times, it is right down the street from my firm. I generally have been impressed with the food and service, but have noticed the wine is really on the high side. I often notice 3x markups over retail cost for bottles, however today I was blown away.

They had a wine on the menu they referred to as Jillaroo Syrah from Australia, for 10 dollars a glass (I should add I am an avid oenophile). After tasting it, I was convinced that it was not 100% Shiraz, but instead what the Aussies call GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mouvedre). So I found the botte on the wall, and double checked it with the wine list and 2 servers. In this case it was a GSM but the M stood for Mataro not Mouvedre. I then proceeded to google it on my phone, because I had never heard of the wine and it did not seem like a 10 dollar glass.

What I found blew me away, this wine was RETAILING for 7-9 dollars a bottle. At the most 1 dollar more then I had just paid for a glass. It was one of the most expensive wines on the list and they were drastically overcharging customers, with an average 4 glasses (little over 6 ounce pour) this wine was marked up by almost 600%. Worst of all, from my perspective, they were passing of a 7 dollar bottle as "premium wine", just because no one had ever heard of it before. I noticed a similar mark up on a bottle of Rioja. But at least in that case they were not "fudging" on the name of the wine.

Moral of the story, not a bad place but bring your own wine. Even with a high corkage fee, you don't have to worry about being passed cheap wine for high prices.

Doesn't Recommend

groundeducd

Joined 7 years ago

Pretty sad day in Sacramento. I had a dream that one day I could go to out to eat in Sacramento and possibly have a decent meal. This was not that day. I was further disheartened by the positive reviews given this resteraunt on this and other sites. Not only does it leave me questioning the resteraunt and the horrendous food but also the utility of site like this.

Food was of an unbelievably low quality. The roasted chicken was dry, polenta was greasy, salmon was like a eating a brick. The potatoes lacked flavor but my date couldn't even try them becasue they were so hard that her fork could not be inserted. Lastly, for any upscale resteraunt that would have their bartenders suggest Kendall Jackson Chardonney as a highlight of thier wine list makes me blush with embarrassment for the establishment as a whole.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Using the Paragary's moniker for 12 years, this upscale, eclectic eatery has come into its own.. The Scene
Not many people know John Hankard has owned the Paragary's on Fair Oaks Boulevard for years. In fact, it was a well-kept secret until August 2000, when the name change was announced. The restaurant now relies on the reputation it has forged to stay afloat. Hankard assures that it's business as usual and that nothing but the name has changed.

The Food
The menu celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients. Offerings include wood-fired pizza and calzone, pasta and meat dishes.

What to Order
The Caesar salad-lemony and sprinkled with shaved parmesan-is a refreshing prelude to dinner. The butternut squash raviolis, with hazelnuts and brown butter, are little pillows of perfection. The contents are rich and robust with flavor.

What to Skip
If you order the crab cake appetizer at lunch, beware that only one diminutive cake will appear on the plate. Its taste is pleasing but will disappoint a hungry crowd.

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scottmillis

Joined 10 years ago

Trendy and tasty. I am from out of town - went here for business lunch. Food was great. I had the recommedned special (seafood lasagne). The service was really good; attentive but not obtrusive. Atmosphere is bright and clean, not too loud in the dining room.

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pocketcano

Joined 11 years ago

great experience. my husband took me here for valentine's day. we didnt have a reservation and the wait was 30 min. we waited outside in front of the fireplace which was sooo relaxing we didnt want to leave. the wait staff was absolutely excellent! i thought i lost my diamond ring while washing my hands in the bathroom and before i knew it, there were three waitress in the bathroom (even looking in the trash) trying to help me locate it. i was so impressed that they would take the time to help me considering the restuarant was packed. we had the mushroom brushetta and it was terrific. i had the short ribs and my husband had the steak, both were perfect. we dined outside and the weather was a little chilly but the heaters surprisingly kept us very warm. overall, a very romantic and enjoyable night.

Doesn't Recommend

sfwonder

Joined 10 years ago

rude bar staff. I waited front and center seated at the bar for at least 15 minutes before being served by the bar staff. Although there were three bartenders, they were unattentive and basically ignored me as they served others that came after me. When they finally served me, another person (a middle aged man) popped up next to me and was served within 15 seconds. The long wait at the bar didn't deter me from having dinner. The food was decent and worth the price. Despite the food and pleasant decor, I won't be going back because of the bad service. There are other restaurants with both food AND service.

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tri_girl79

Joined 11 years ago

Mellow Mood and Delicious Food. I eat here regularly and have found that service is attentive, with excellent timing. Food is a little pricey for my usual taste, but the fresh ingredients and inventive seasonal approach is refreshing. This is the food I would cook at home if all I had to do was shop cook and eat!

Doesn't Recommend

sarah72

Joined 11 years ago

So so food. Had heard lots of good things about this place, but found the food not to my satisfaction. The deep fried calamari came out quick but soggy and oily. Compared to the one at Piatti's, it was not as tasty or crunchy. I also order that fish special, a grilled flounder that came out oily and tasted like it got burned on the grill. Service, however, was very attentive and wonderful. But if want great service and in addition, tasty dishes for the same prices, go across the street to Piatti's.