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Zely and Ritz Reviews List
Zely and Ritz
Zely & Ritz is all about fresh, organic, locally grown dishes served in tapas style small plates in an upscale, casual, yet hip and smoke-free environment. Named as one of the Top 20 Organic Restaurants in America by Organic Style Magazine, the ingredients for over half the menu come directly from the restaurant's own organic farm. Chef Sarig's food is intensely flavorful, beautifully presented, and simply delicious. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spices are combined in unexpected ways to create fantastic culinary works of art which are then skillfully paired with a Wine Spectator Award winning boutique wine list to create the perfect meal.
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55 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Rating Breakdown 55 reviews
5 stars
(22)
4 stars
(19)
3 stars
(6)
2 stars
(5)
1 star
(3)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(43)
- special occasion(32)
- great for outdoor dining(29)
- neighborhood gem(26)
- notable wine list(16)
- romantic(14)
Zely and Ritz Reviews List
Review 1 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
too late
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We had a late reservation. The food was good, but there was no one else there and our waiter would not stop talking to us. It was uncomfortable and we won't be back."
Dined on 5/25/2013
2011
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Review 2 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Always a pleasure
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Zely's staff is so friendly, and the food is so fresh and tasty. New art up on the walls every time I go. New patio is fantastic w/ live music.
Love this place."
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
good things take time
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food is wonderful and worth the wait which is good since service can be a little slow. Fresh organic local yumminess!"
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 4 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful experience
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We had a wonderful meal and a great server ,Tim. We enjoyed all but one veggie dish. Tim was very receptive about the dish that our friend didn't enjoy and promptly removed it from the bill. We had such a good time with our server and several other employees. i look forward to returning in the near future."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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Review 5 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We went on a Friday night when they were grilling on the patio. The ribs were outstanding off of the grill!"
Dined on 5/17/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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Review 6 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Give it hours to eat
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Went there during the week. Place was twenty per cent full. I had to find my waiter any time I needed anything. The appetizer took forty five minutes to arrive. Then got it by finding my waiter who was standing around the bar to ask him to look for it. The main meal another forty five minutes.
The food was good. The meat has about one third gristle. One of the vegetables was totally woody.
We were going to stay for more but did not have another hour to eat. The staff seems totally indifferent to this."
Dined on 5/08/2013
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Review 7 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The pate' made my heart patter
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We celebrated my cousin's birthday at your fine establishment on Tuesday. Thoroughly enjoyed everything--the food, wine, desserts and Matt, our waiter. His sense of humor made the whole experience a perfect night out."
Dined on 5/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 8 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Always a good experience, w menu choices providing good range of options, food prepared well, and nicely presented. Interesting staff who are always eager to please and accommodate diners. Reasoably priced for a good restaurant meal and experience."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 9 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Waitress was very friendly,
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Waitress was very friendly, but did not check back after bringing food and we had finished our meal before she came back to take our order for a second glass of wine. Chocolate Creme Broule Was heavenly!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 10 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
This was an awesome find while
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was an awesome find while traveling for work - the chef asked the types of things I liked, disliked and created me a tasting menu from scratch."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 11 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
We really enjoyed our night,
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We really enjoyed our night, but the food just missed a little in our eyes. We had the chefs tasting menu and the chef was unfortunately more interested in dietary restrictions than was we really liked. We had a great waiter and enjoyed the evening and will be back. Next time we'll just order off of the menu which looked inspired enough. We love the organic ingredients!"
Dined on 04/25/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
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Review 12 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful, fresh food. Not
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wonderful, fresh food. Not your run-of-the-mill menu items.
Always a great dining experience
Server very nice and knowledgeable about menu.
Always a great dining experience
Server very nice and knowledgeable about menu.
Already looking forward to next visit."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 13 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We actually saw a show on
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We actually saw a show on the Food Channel about the restaurant which triggered us making the reservation. The meal and the service was very good. Looking forward to coming back again in the summer when local vegetables are more plentiful."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 14 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Eclectic food, slow service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Portions seem smaller, for the price. Service a bit slow, waiter was running to take care of outside tables, forgetting about us much of the evening. Apologizing because they were busy. 20 minutes to get our bill(costing us another dollar at the parking lot)"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 15 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The food was disappointing--not
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was disappointing--not a lot of different options--too many carrots in the dishes. What we did order was not at all outstanding."
Dined on 04/16/2013
2009
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Review 16 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
Misses the Mark
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"My son, his girlfriend, and I had dinner Saturday night at Zely and Ritz. I can't say it was a great experience and we likely won't be back. Service was good but the food really lacked something. We let the waiter talk us into a couple of appetizers. None of us liked the house made pickles...way too salty and uninteresting. Everything is ala cart, but we were all surprised when our entree came out on a plate (a small plate) by itself. It would have been much more appealing with some risotto or starch. The shank was palatable, but there was nothing about it that made anyone at the table say "this is SO good!". Portions are small. My son left hungry and went up to Snoopy's at the corner for a hotdog. $77 bill, wishing we'd gone elsewhere."
Dined on 04/13/2013
2005
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Review 17 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Absolutely wonderful food,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Absolutely wonderful food, as always. Not the same old dishes found in many restaurants.
Waiter was very knowledgable in explaining dishes and did a great job throughout the evening.
Looking forward to our next visit.
They have never disappointed us."
Waiter was very knowledgable in explaining dishes and did a great job throughout the evening.
Looking forward to our next visit.
They have never disappointed us."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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Review 18 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We really enjoyed Zely and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We really enjoyed Zely and Ritz. The staff was friendly and the food was excellent."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 19 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
The food we had was sparse
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food we had was sparse (braised ribs), and lacking in flavor(butternut squash soup). This meal was vastly overpriced"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2008
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Review 20 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent and knowledgeable
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent and knowledgeable wait staff; great food; comfortable atmosphere that allowed for conversation without shouting! Will return!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, romantic, special occasion
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Review 21 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food is very good, local and
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food is very good, local and organic where possible, portions a little small."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 22 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Special Features: good for groups, notable wine list, special occasion
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Review 23 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent service. The wait
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent service. The wait staff was very attentive and answered all of our questions. The food was good, especially the fresh beet salad."
Dined on 03/13/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 24 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent food napkin please!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Was nice took a bit to get silverware, bread to be brought over (seemed a bit late). Little loud w certain people being loud and small place. But the food was excellent!!! Fresh and good combos on dishes. Sharing was great to sample several things. Wine list nice but not a lot for the beer drinker. Cocktails seem to be very nice as well."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list
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Review 25 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food was very tasty and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was very tasty and served in portions that are more European than American. Being married to someone from there I am saying this from a factual standpoint rather than speculating. The server was very nice and they definitely take their time getting your food out to you allowing you to enjoy your time there and not feel rushed. The food also seemed to be prepared more along the lines of using minimal salt and we really appreciate that style. Most places kill the food with too many spices and often that is waytoo much salt."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 26 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Wonderful food, great serviceA
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Wonderful food, great serviceA favorite place to go"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2007
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 27 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
This was our second time here.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This was our second time here. The food is amazing. However, they seem to continue to have problems with their wait staff. Our table was late, even with a reservation, because they did not have a waiter for the table and then the service was a bit slow. However, we were in no hurry, so this was not a problem for us. The food was excellent and we throughly enjoyed the night and experience."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 28 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointed Diner
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Disappointing experience. My reservations were for the Personalized Tasting Menu. When we sat down at our table and got ready to order, I was told by the server (the only positive about this restaurant for me was our server who was very pleasant) that the chef would not be providing us with the tasting due to the fact that they were hawking their Valentine Special menu. The day after Valentine's Day. VERY disappointing as I had been looking forward to this dinner for a quite a while. I ended up choosing beef stew off the regular menu, which was a very tiny portion for the price, and I felt the owners were a bit aloof only greeting the regulars; I wish I could say I would try the restaurant again, but I wouldn't waste my time."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2010
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Review 29 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
A Must in Raleigh
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"You must get the chef's special if you go! A three-course meal for $35, customized and created just for you. My wife and I frequent Zely & Ritz on date night, and have never had a bad experience yet."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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Review 30 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The food is always great and
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food is always great and unique. The portions are just right and not too big. We always get great service too."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 31 for Zely and Ritz
Overall rating
(Poor)
1
/
5
We had high expectations based
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had high expectations based on reviews and were very disappointed. The staff seemed very unorganized in regards to reservations/seating, the food was below expectations and the ambience didn't make up for the other faults. The only good part was the dessert, sadly. Not the best farm to table in the area at all. Certainly not worth the prixe fix cost on our valentines holiday. We won't be dining here again."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Zely and Ritz
Based on the average of (24) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
12 out of 13 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic