Zanzibar Blue (CLOSED)

Personally, my experience was pretty bad. Maybe I chose a bad day, I don't know. My best friend and I were on a mini vacation and wanted to dine somewhere nice. We liked the place, but the service was bad and the dinner wasn't superb. Our cocktails didn't arrive until we were ALMOST done with our dinner! So I thought maybe my Martini would save the evening... NOPE. Even though, we wasn't happy, we're going to give it another try. more

Jazz dive. crazy chill atmosphere, but do dress nice. more

Came for the brunch without reading any reviews. The ""Basket of the Best Breads"" was so much less than that, barely enough for two people (2 slices of each bread) at $7.95, missing some of the advertised breads and definitely not warm. The Challah bread was hard as if stale, not pleasurable. In the starters the ""Mixed Greens"" were minimal and the Overflowing Melon Bowl was anything but, the equivilent of one slice of unripe melon and a dollop of yogurt. The waitress was not even aware that certain items were not available until she put the order in and we had to reconsider our orders. The main dishes did not arrive until we had been there one and a half hours. In the mean time the band was loud, not together (a member was learning the tunes), and played motown soul cover tunes not jazz. When the food finally arrived Huevos Rancheros and Poached Eggs Oscar it was cold. The side of bacon was only 2 slices, and the homefries side was barely the equivilent of a 1/3 of a baked potatoe at $3.95 each. Finally it was time for dessert. The ""Homemade Godiva Chocolate Bread Pudding"" was replaced by a Brownie, and the ""Peach Crisp"" by peach cobbler. Neither were good. We came in with an open mind and average expectations, but left disappointed, disgusted, and hungry. Pros: Easy to find, Good Location Cons: Inattentive staff, Disappointing Food more

Though the atmosphere is nice and the jazz for the Sunday brunch is great, the service at this place is atrocious and the food is mediocre at best. The brunch offers a drink, starter, main course, and dessert. 1 hour and 15 minutes after ordering... no starter. No waiter to be found either. We found the manager, they admitted that the waiter cancelled our order in their system, and promised our food would be up right away. Another 15 minutes went by, and we received the starter. Another 30 minutes went by and no main course. We asked the manager again; they promised it was coming. Almost 30 minutes later SOME of our food came out. By the time the rest of the food came, everyone else's was cold. Everything was overcooked and bland. Then we got the bill.... and never received the dessert. We spent 2 1/2 hours there. What a waste of time and money. more

I went with a few friends on a Thursday night during restaurant week. The bar has a nice layout, and the jazz was excellent. Our server was also very nice and attentive. However, the food was awful. The cuts of steak consisted of 50% gristle, and the red snapper tasted like all the moisture had somehow been sucked out of it. More disturbing than the bad food, however, was the belligerence of the bouncer/maitre d' who came rushing over to our table and menacingly screamed, ""you need to calm down, son"" to me, as I was responding to an amusing story told by a friend. The use of the term ""son"" when addressing a 28-eight-year-old was particularly appreciated. The hostess then ran over, bewildered, asking whether anything was wrong. For the rest of the night, the bouncer/maitre d' glared at our table. If you plan on smiling and laughing DO NOT come here. Perhaps they took Ari Gold's admonition, ""Silence is golden,"" a little too much to heart. Cons: Angry Bouncer/Maitre d' more

Had a romantic dinner Friday night and really enjoyed the whole experience. The staff was very friendly and helpful, the entertainment was fantastic, and the food was great. The shrimp tempura, with bits of fried asparagus, was quite tasty. For dessert we tried the sweet potato cheesecake, which was amazing, and the chocolate cake, which was also quite good but was stood up by the cheesecake. I never would have thought to make cheesecake with sweet potato, but after trying it, it makes perfect sense. Meanwhile, the service was well-timed and the atmosphere cozy and comfortable. It's an experience that's well worth it! Pros: Entertainment, sweet potato cheesecake, atmosphere more

We celebrated a romantic anniversary at ZB last weekend ~ food was glorious, service was exceptional, and the Jazz was Hot! I always come here when I'm in the city, and I will continue to do so!!!!!!!! Pros: Romantic, Great Atmosphere, Hot Jazz more

My boyfriend and I visit Phildelphia twice a year and each time we go we always stop at ZB for the music and the food. The Short Rib and the Salmon is out of this world. The prices are just right, and if you are not a heavy drinker, or wnat to save a few bucks they offer half bottle, even on the expense champagnes. The Price for the depends on the band for the evening. This place will always be a favorite Pros: food, service, music more

We went for dinner during restaurant week, so menu was a little different than regular. The food was pretty good, but the desserts were excellent! Our server was a little slow and inattentive, but she was very nice and apologized every time she forgot something (several times). The mood here is very hot, very sensual, and the decor and food go right along with it - I would definately recommend Zanzibar for a special date. Pros: good atmosphere more

Went for dinner, at first the service was good, then a few more people arrived and our server seemed disoriented, we asked for drinks three times and all three times she said she would be right back, and we waited, and waited until finally we wrapped up our food and went to the bar area. Cons: faster service more

I was there Sat. Night and the Drinks were great and the bartenders were very friendly to talk to and i love their dining area and Jazz stage . If i lived in Philly i would go back every Sat. night. Pros: drinks, Crowds, Service more

While the country breakfast I had for Sunday Brunch was ok, the Harry Connick, Jr. concert I attended the night before was fabulous. This is a great venue and the acoustics are good too. Even though the place was filled, it was not cramped or uncomfortable. Definitely go there when you visit Philly. more

I went with a group of friends for a birthday dinner and we all enjoyed the jazz. And the decor is great. It really reminds you of a lush club from the 50's. Unfortunately, the food and service were much less than desired. 2 diners ordered a special filet entree. Both were overcooked and had to be returned. Unfortunately, their replacements were even worse. While the management rightfully agreed to remove the entrees from the bill, our server was not to be seen for the rest of the meal. He had to be flagged down for dessert and coffee. All in all, we were disappointed... Pros: Great Jazz, Nice Ambiance, Good Crowd Cons: So-So food, So-So Service, A bit Pricey more

I have had dinner and drinks here many times and always enjoyed the food. Had brunch yesterday and was not really impressed-too much money for only average food. Cons: too much money, limited menu more

The service here is excellent with very knowledgable staff. The food was excellent. If you like seafood this is the place for you. The crab cakes are absolutely delicious. The land menu needs some additions. From what I saw there was one chicken dish and one steak dish. Keep in mind everyone can not eat seafood. Other than that the atmosphere was great, the food was outstanding, and the staff is impeccable. One other thing, if you offer discount parking with validation, then patrons should receive discount parking. We parked in the Bellvue as the recording instructed and had our parking ticket validated and we were stilled charged $16 dollars for parking. If that was the case we would have valet parked for the $15. Pros: poor parking Cons: Very Good Food, Fair Pricing more

I went to Zanzibar for jazz one night and go back repeatedly. It's a friendly though casual place with the right mix of entertainment, a helpful and very top-notch staff and innovative menu. Where else can you get Eggs Zanzibar? Fantastic Sunday brunch. Outstanding menu in general, shows flair and a nice mix, nouvelle Cajun. The Bartenders always outdo themselves in making you feel welcome, as do the rest of the staff. Drinks are always made as requested, delivered with a smile. Great mix of clientele, younger crowd on Latin nights. Go for the jazz. You'll go back again for everything! Try Zanzibar in Wilmington, too. It's a knockout. Pros: well priced, hospitality, menu Cons: parking more

I enjoyed my very first visit to Zanzibar...My good friend was performing there the particular night I went...the atomsphere of jazzyness and sophistocation is all in the air...the perfect place for my friend's performance...the food was excellent also...as far as what we ordered between the group...the house salad, bufflo wings, leg of lamb...all very good and hospitable too Pros: atomsphere, location, food Cons: parking more

My wife and I, loved the show, but the service was less than desirable. My server Chris had to reminded about, drinks, and got my order wrong, and when I asked to have it corrected he seemed puzzled. This is a cozy jazz spot that has great posiblities. The food was good, portions are small,and served just above room tempature, but however it was good. Dont order to many Mimosa @ almost seven bucks a pop. For brunch it was pricey, and service fell short. Pros: Show more

It's small enough to hear from every facet of the restaurant but large enough so that the music doesn't drown out diners' conversations if they don't want it to do so. Usually, guaranteed venue for talented talent. more

A truly exquisite experience. A place that made dining out truly brilliant! Pros: Good Parking, Superb Music, Great Service Cons: Pricey more