It’s been very rare in my experience for a casual dining restaurant to overcome being part of a chain. Corporate kills character, so it is very hard to overcome the commercialized menus and the “modern”, otherwise known as “soulless” decor.
I’ve never really heard anything good or bad about Zea, but I saw that they menued lamb, and it’s hard to find a non-Lebanese place that cooks lamb, so I wanted to give it a try. I am very glad I did. Despite the fact that every staff member in the restaurant dutifully asked me if I had enjoyed my last visit to Zea to which I dutifully replied that it was my first visit to their establishment, the food was outstanding.
I got the lamb sirloin as I had intended which was rotisseried, then sliced and finished on the grill. Very good. The roasted corn grits were delightful and the red beans (sausage free) were spot on. To be honest, I was more than a little surprised at the food quality, but also very encouraged because there were quite a few other menu items I’m very interested in trying, and now I have the confidence to return and tell the entire staff, one by one, that I truly enjoyed my last visit to Zea.