Zinc Bistro - review by Christopher Gross

      This restaurant is truly one of my favorites. It’s located at 15034 N. Scottsdale Road in the center of the Kierland Commons shopping center. Zinc Bistro is a replica of a Parisian bistro that you find on every street corner in Paris. They truly create an ambiance that makes you feel like you’re in the famous French city rather than in Phoenix.

      When you walk in, you’ll see a long communal table that invites you to sit down and order a big seafood platter! The patio is a great place to sit as well to  enjoy the weather or people watch. I go to this restaurant frequently just to snack and have a glass of wine at off hours. One of my favorite items on the menu is the “Macaroni and Cheese” with the French ham served super hot right out of the oven. It’s a little brown and crispy on the top and with a nice glass of wine it’s truly wonderful.

      Zinc Bistro’s style is really simple. One may think that of the food as well, but it’s really sophisticated and the quality is unbelievable. For my appetizer, which is another one of my ‘Zinc’ favorites, I had the “La Belle Farms Squab and Foie Gras" served with chippoline onions. The sautéed Foie Gras and the breast of the Squab are really tasty and beautifully presented. This is one of those dishes that you’d think you were eating at an expensive upscale restaurant. The next item I chose was the “Moules Marinier Matchstick Frites”. Chef Matt Carter prepares this dish a little differently by putting leeks in the moules while they are cooking, then garnishes the top with little matchstick potatoes. For dessert I had the “Zinc Chocolate Soufflé” made with Bernard Callebaut Chocolate.  It is very rich, very dense, and very delicious. Plan on saving some ‘room’ to try this!

      In the bar area there is always cool music playing. Zinc has a nice selection of wine and beer. They only feature foreign wines for example French, Italian, and some Spanish. Matt Carter has been in the valley for a long time, and he’s a very accomplished chef. He’s traveled and worked in Paris. He has worked for Thomas Keller who owns French Laundry, in Napa Valley. Zinc Bistro is open seven days a week from 11am to 12am. It’s a wonderful place. I highly recommend it.