Zola Bistro - Ann Arbor

Great lunch experience. Attentive and friendly service!

We enjoyed a selection of small plates and deserts. everything was excellent. only blip they tried to sit on a crispy two-top when the restaurant was half empty. they did not argue to move us, but it was amusing to observe how they try to sit every few that came on the same table, just to be exposed every time.

The food was decent, but not exceptional, and overpriced for the portion sizes.

In the dining room, midsummer western sunshine at 4:30 p.m. was fierce and there are no blinds to lower. We started baking. Waitstaff kindly allowed one of our party to retreat to a neighboring table, that was still in the shade. Outside, again on the west side, there are tables we've dined at previously, near the parking lot. They have a few table umbrellas but the direct sunshine is pretty intolerable this time of year. Assuming it is not crowded, as was the case in the late afternoon on a weekday, I would know to ask for a table nearer the bar. About $50 a piece, so maybe not excellent value for every kind of diner or every day. We were celebrating a birthday so not economizing. Food was imaginative and delicious. Service, attentive and accurately took order. Seems par for the course everywhere we've been lately, that often other staff serves the entree and has to ask who ordered what. Staff seemed well-trained albeit quite young. Labor market still is like that. All good. Really, except for the greenhouse effect, five stars!

Fabulous and very interesting dinner, composed of Parmesan Fries, goat cheese Adriatica, Mussels Fado, the roasted vegetable salad, the bread plate, raspberry cheesecake, and the crème brulée. All excellent, as was the service.