Even better than before!
My family had been to and loved the previous location's food so we couldn't wait to check out the new digs. I must say that the new space is even more beautiful and spacious compared to the previous one around the corner. I also love the huge new outdoor patio space. Perfect for people watching on a warm summer night. Zanzibar is defiantly the place where the well dressed soul food lovers go for date night. Most of the people there were casket sharp.
There was a 45 minute wait so we walked around Shaker Square to kill time. (You can now make reservations right from the Zanzibar website to avoid the wait.) http://zanzibarohio.com Once we returned, about 30 minutes later we were being seated. We even had our same favorite server Sandra. She was as good as usual.
The last time we were there my wife and I both ordered the Honey Glazed Fried Chicken, (1/2 of a chicken in dark meat which was two large thighs and two drumsticks for each of us.) with "House Potatoes" (similar to Au Gratin) and baked mac & cheese and our daughter had the Chicken & Waffles with grits. So this time we all went with the Chicken & Waffles with grits. The chicken was hot and juicy, perfectly seasoned with nice crunchy skin, some of the best fried chicken I have ever had! The red velvet waffles were nice and fluffy. Almost a pancake consistency. The grits were delicious! Nice, thick and creamy! I had the sweet tea, my wife and daughter had the "Purple Rain." (grape Kool-Aid and Lemon Aid)
My only two complaints is that the Chicken & Waffles dinner doesn't come with the delicious basket of different corn muffins and there is still no kids menu.
I've said it before and it's worth saying again, Zanzibar easily blows away any Soul Food restaurant I have ever tried in Pittsburgh. The decor is upscale, the food is amazing, the prices are dare I say cheap for the quality and amount of food your get, the owner is from the Pittsburgh area and the service was top notch. We will be back EVERY TIME we are in Cleveland!