We chose Zitune from OpenTable.com based on our wonderful experience with Moroccan food at Tagine in the One & Only Royal Mirage, Dubai. OpenTable.com categorized Zitune as a $30 and under restaurant, which is really a half truth. The entrees are indeed less than $30, but you won't get the whole experience with just an entree. So it's better to be prepared for an expensive meal even though the dress code is casual.
The Service
Our reservation was for 7:30 pm, but by 6:30 pm, we were done with our day and hungry. So we showed up an hour early to a mostly empty restaurant. The hostess greeted us kindly and promptly. She explained that they had many reservations for the next hour, so she couldn't seat us immediately, in case everyone showed up for their reservation. Since we were early, we had no qualms about hanging out at the bar and ordering some appetizers.
We took the four seats at the front of the bar so we could see one another and have a decent conversation. These were great seats for me, since the large picture windows let in plenty of light, which I love. The darker interior would have taken much away from my enjoyment. The bar stools were comfortable and stable. The seat back was great for leaning back occasionally, and the ledge was at the perfect height for resting our feet. The stools were spaced perfectly for intimate conversations, yet gave everyone plenty of room. The bar top was deep and spacious, and we didn't have to get rid of any of our plates or glasses before we were ready. The tables, on the other hand, did not look like they offered this luxury.
Josh, the bartender, was instrumental in making our evening wonderful. He greeted us immediately, came by periodically with some good stories, and made incredible drinks. He never interrupted our conversation and without hovering over us, was always there to refill our glasses or pick up our plates.
The Food
I hesitated with the sourdough with olives since I don't like sourdough or olives. Yet the two strong flavors canceled each other out just enough for me to enjoy it. blogger14, on the other hand, likes both sourdough and olives, so she enjoyed the bread without picking out a single piece of olive. The hummus, instead of butter or olive oil, was of course far superior to what Safeway sells.
For our appetizer, we chose the Rock Shrimp Mchermel with extra pita points (Josh's recommendation.) The mixture of shrimp, tomatoes, chorizo, and harissa aioli was flavorful and sumptuous. It was so good that, after finishing the extra pita points, I resorted to the sourdough with olives to clean off the plates.
Our entrees included a beautifully spiced Orange Lavender Duck Breast and a deliciously sweet Roasted Monk Fish Tangeroise. In comparison, the perfectly cooked Moroccan Cornish Hen and the light Rock Shrimp & Asparagus Risotto lacked a distinguishing kick. The Rock Shrimp & Asparagus Risotto actually reminded me of Asian fried rice because everything was mixed together. In other words, it was a great companion dish for both the duck and the monk fish, but I would not recommend it as an entree on its own.
Zitune
325 Main Street
Los Altos, CA 94022
(650) 947-0247
Summary
Food: Excellent
Cleanliness: Excellent
Service: Excellent
Price: Expensive ($90 for a 3-course meal and a glass of wine, including 10% tax and 20% tip)
