Zig Zag Cafe

07/13/2008 Posted by eskercurve

My wife and I had just started watching a japanese animated series called Bartender and it actually got us interested in cocktails (dorky, I know, but that's how we roll). We wanted to find a place that had wonderful drinks made by a man who knew what he was doing. Doing a search on google found Drinkboy, which is an excellent site run by a man who knows his drinks. So my wife and I went out on a limb and went here. The location is somewhat hard to find. The bar is located on the second terrace of the Pike Hill climb, which is about half a block south of Pike st., and then you have to find the staircase doing down to Alakan way, and then you have to remember to look beyond the mexican restaurant. We both missed it on our first try. But boy were we rewarded for our searching! We came in on a Sunday afternoon about 30 min after it opened and at the time the bartender is conversational, and wanted to learn who we were. He seemed genuinely interested in us and made us an excellent Hemingway Daiquiri, a nostalgic Manhattan, then we tried the menu. We had the foccacia, which was superb, if American-ized. I ordered a Black Velvet, made with champaign, which is VERY difficult to do, but he executed it flawlessly. When I said I first had it in Japan, he asked how often I went there. He then brought back a Violet based liquer which isn't exported! The man is a genius. He even made a couple free drinks for us! We will definitely make this a weekly regular thing.

Pros: Everything ... even the regulars!

Cons: a little hard to find, but that could be a pro

05/15/2008 Posted by billycar

Murray is a wizard behind the bar. This is my top recommendation for delicious, sophisticated cocktails and just a great place to go to unwind and for conversation. It's tucked away in the hillclimb of the Pike Pace Market and it makes you feel like you're part of a private club since not everyone is in the "know" because it's off the beaten path. They have the biggest Whiskey and Brandy selection that I've found since I moved to Seattle. The menu is simple with sandwiches, salads and light snacks but they are really tasty.

10/11/2007 Posted by katyl8y

I love to bring my friends here when I'm showing off how great the nightlife can be in Seattle. As my friend put it, "Murray is God." He's a great bartender, makes any drink you can think of (contrary to the review by tummyphat...you can order any coctail you want, it doesn't have to be on the list to be made), and he's a great conversationalist. Some days, I just walk in and tell him my mood, and he will make the best drink to fit it. The food is so good! Try the calamari. And make sure to at least go once during Happy Hour. This way you can get a large assortment of the appetizers. My favorite drink is the Moquito. Everthing is made from fresh ingredients, and the drink turns out to be the best thing you've ever tasted and the most beautiful drink you've ever seen! Nothing compares! (Just keep in mind that you may never be able to drink a Moquito anywhere else.) Check out their web site!

Pros: Variety, Knowledgeable Bartenders, Happy Hour

Cons: Slow Table Waitstaff, Price if not at Happy Hour

10/01/2007 Posted by tummyphat

All the reviews boost that they are the spot for "Best Martinis" but I was disappointed when there's only a short list of drinks (I'm a regular at Chapels, which has 2-3 times Zig Zag's list) and only 1 (the daiquiri) is drinkable. The rests are mostly bourbon, whisky, and gin. We went their as a big group celebrating a friend's birthday but only the guys like the drinks, so we weren't too happy even at their happy hour (martini's $4+ and minimal food items, which weren't too tasty either). The crowd is more suitable for 40+ than our 20-30 y/o group, so it didn't exactly work very well for us.

Pros: presentable (good if u have guests)

Cons: disappointing martinis

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

09/13/2007 Posted by malsquad

The Zig Zag Cafe is one of those great little gems that, if you didn't know where to look, you'd walk right by it. Located between Western and the water, we walked right past it the first time we went there (and we had directions and an address!). Once you find it though, you'll be greatful you took the time - it is fantastic. I went with a group of 4, we each got a couple drinks and food. Usually when one orders food from a bar, its either really greasy comfort food or tiny little gastro-plates. Zig Zag offers the best of both worlds. I had a grilled cheese sandwich that was too die for, while the others in our group got a large caesar salad, a calimari dish, and some sort of spicy panini. All were amazing. The drinks were good as well, although nobody ordered any of the speciality cocktails (although I've heard they're good, except for the Devil's Soul Patch). Our server was also very nice and very helpful, and I loved the interior of the bar as well as the relaxed atmosphere.

Pros: Great food, great atmosphere

Cons: Hard to find

05/31/2007 Posted by trippindasiy

When we arrived we were pleased to see that there was an open deck where we could sit out side and the establishment was not over crowded. To not much of our surprise the deck was full of people chain smoking and drunk people begin very loud and spilling their drinks. When we ruled out the deck we decided to sit inside.The menu had no organization or theme. The food was all over the place from seared albacore tuna to lamb burger to chips and dip. The menu looked like it had no consistent thought to its design and no creativity just the same old same old. Nothing about this restaurant/bar differenced itself from the other establishments in that waterfront area. After about 20 minuets our waitress came back and asked what was my drink and my partners drink order. We then proceed to order our food. I order the seared Tuna and my partner order the high anticipated linguini with clams and my friend order the special the salmon. few minutes later our waitress brought out our drinks to our table. My drink order was incorrect and when I asked the waitress to send my drink back she lied and told me that was the correct drink. I didn’t want to be a bother About 15 minuets later the waitress come back and tell my friend that they are out of the salmon special so, not all of our meals are not on a timely manner. After about 10 minuets our food had still has not arrived I decided to notify the owner, I told him that our waitress has not check on our table in awhile my drink was empty and another friend who join us later that night wanted to order and my partners drink was empty. He then caught this unnecessary attitude really made me loose my appetite. When our food finally arrived my tuna was ice cold full no flavor, my partners linguini noodles were over cooked and my other two friends were waiting on their meals, we could not have eaten together. Our entire bill was over 250+ dollars more on drinks

Cons: Customer Service, Owener, The Food, Atmosphere

05/25/2007 Posted by mjkc

The Zig Zag has a nice menu of cocktails to try, and pours a good drink and if that was all one wanted when they went out that would be great but this place lacks what most places in Seattle lack, atomsphere. The place lacks the friendly, warm feeling that a bar should have, meaning, unless you are with people to talk to, you won't find any good, friendly conversations. Of course, if you like to drink alone, this place will be perfect for you. Still, this place does do a good job on cocktails so I would recommend this place to others.

Pros: Good cocktails

Cons: poor atmosphere

04/13/2007 Posted by rajgom

Have been a regular here for a couple of years now. My wife and I are big fans of Murray the bar tender. Its a pleasure watching him make his Mojito and other creative concoctions. The cocktail list is extensive and creative and served up in a great Its a great place for after work meet up and their happy hour food is awesome (havent tried the other stuff). If you havent been here, you should definitely check this place out

11/17/2006 Posted by cheriwan13

After years and years of coming to the Zag, I'd have to say that recently I have been really impressed with their food as well as their amazing talent with the Spirits. The specials have been warming and comforting on these rainy days, and the new bread salad is one of my current favorite additions to the menu. It's nice to know that my favortie place to be, and partake of the beverage, also believes that the food should be of high quality. Way to go!

Pros: Ben, Casey, and Murry, All cocktails, food menu

Cons: the stairs don't even bother me

10/11/2006 Posted by kcwaldbauer

simply put, this is THE place in seattle for cocktails. kacy, ben and murray are expert craftsmen and enthusiasts and we are lucky to have them in our city. their research into classic and forgotten cocktail recipes is what i love most. as a bartender, i usually sit at the bar and just soak up everything i can from them, and i'm not the only one. every bartender in the city should make it a point to sit at the bar and see how it should really be done.