Elite Party at Zanzibar Cafe

I could not pass up the free offer of gelato from Nathaniel after the elite event at the Zanzibar. I’ve been wanting to try this place, but got lost trying to find during the week of Comic Con. Good thing I was with my bf who has a very good sense of direction.
I didn’t realize I had passed it several times, but I must have been distracted each time with the glaring Petco Park signs nearby. This place is housed in the same structure as the multi-​story parking structure for Petco Park.
The outside and interior remind a little bit of Yog-​Art in Hillcrest. The staff is also very friendly, including one of the co-​owners and managers, Nathaniel. My bf and I tried several flavors. I thought the pistachio tasted too similar to the hazelnut, but the coffee gelato was perfect. The prices are also very moderate. I will definitely visit again when I am in the area.
I did find out that this place is not in any way affiliated withe the Mondo Gelato in West LA. It is a small chain that was started in Rome and now has several locations in Vancouver, Beijing and even Hawai’i. So its roots are Italian.
I’d give the place 5 stars, but I’ve only visited once so far. But that will change soon. There’s not much street parking because of the proximity to Petco Park, but hey, there is a multi-​level parking lot right behind it.

I’m not sure how to rate an event less than 5 stars when the location provides:
+Awesome (delicious, incredible…) Petite Syrah
+Amazing Lamb
+Stromboli of the Stars (I was afraid to try it, but praise The Lord that I did!)
+A really decent Zinfandel
+Other beverages I did not sample
+A ginormous cheese plate spread
+Gracious, attentive service
I simply cannot do it. Even if:
–the lack of signage made the place difficult to find at dusk
–I did feel a bit rushed out at the end
–the location wasn’t best set up for a large, single party
I don’t understand how you 4-​starers (ingrates!) can do it.
Thanks a million Meg and Zanzibar for a lovely event!

This was my first Unilocal Elite event, of course, my + 1 blew me off, so that got the evening going kind of lame for me personally. I am a bit of an introvert, so social engagements always freak me out a little bit. Luckily there were a few people there I already knew, and I did recognize some people too. Rich and Holly saved me from myself most of the evening, and Lyn P., Russ, Viola, Julia, and even Michael managed to get me out of my shell a little. And of course Meg is a great host and made me feel welcome right away, along with Jessica. Thank you!
I am not much of a wine person, so I stuck to their beers. I liked their dark beer on tap the most.
The food, of course, was all good. The cheeses, grapes, crackers, and the hor d’oeurves were great too, tuna on a cucumber was pretty neat, the lamb chops were fine (I usually do not like lamb), but as has been mentioned, Stromboli was the star of the evening.
I think the servers were very good, they kept the food coming out, what more could you want.
Nathaniel’s Mondo Gelato was a true gift as well. I had the soy vanilla bean, the mocha, and the hazelnut. All very good, and thank you!
I am not downtown that much, so do not know if I will go to the downtown Zanzibar very much, but the one in PB is walking distance from my place, and I have been there once and liked it. I am sure I will go again soon.

Kickin’ it with the Elites! This was my first Unilocal event and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a blast. A really fun group of people who know how to enjoy life. And the venue was terrific. In my opinion, San Diego needs more places like Zanzibar Café, which has casual elegance without abandoning its sense of the hip. Reminds me of San Francisco… and the food and wine were terrific! The owner and her daughter (who is the manager) were really nice and clearly had a strong vision for what they wanted their restaurant to be. I’m definitely going back.
Thanks so much to Meg for doing such a great job organizing this event and for making it open to us +1’s/Elite wannabes.

Things That Are Awesome List #12 285
Good wine, in copious amounts.
Appetizers that nibble just right, and taste fantastic.
An evening of conversation with a good friend merging into an evening of uproarious conversation with new friends.
Gelato and cheese spreads.
Being met at the door by people who knew my name without my face, and hugged me anyways.
Meg M and her generosity for planning and running a fantastic event.
Zanzibar’s vibe.
Being an Elite. Yeah, it’s pretty dope.

Me, I’m just another face at Zanzibar
But the waitress always serves a secret smile
She’s waiting out in Shantytown
She’s gonna pull the curtains down for me… for me!
I’ve got the old man’s car,
I’ve got a jazz guitar
I’ve got a tab at Zanzibar
Tonight that’s where I’ll be… I’ll be.

Yes Meg you are right my new love is Stromboli! :)
Had a great time last night and it was so fun meeting everyone.
Thanks so much Meg for putting these events together — it was awesome!

Thank you to all you Elite!!! You rock!!!
Didn’t get a chance to meet you all but hopefully will SOON! Make sure to say «W’ sup!» and do official intro’s at the dinner hour as I am there most of the time…
XOXOXO,
S

Thanks to Zanzibar for hosting us, The apps were yummy, the wine was flowing, and a me and my +1 had a great time. I was bummed that I didn’t get to try their tempting cupcakes. I will be back for those soon.
It was great to see all my favorite Unilocalers and to meet so many new ones. Now a few of you know what I look like without the Dolly outfit on. Ha Ha Ha
Thanks again to Meg for organizing this and to Zanzibar for hosting all of us.

Petite Syrah vs Red Zinfandel, that is the question of the nite.
Hanger stake on french bread, that is the app hit of the nite.
Sandy is the woman that made the event happen for the nite.
And of course, as always, Megan is the star hostess of the nite.
As the poster girl for virgin drinks, it’s a rare occasion to find me with a glass of wine, but what better nite than an Elite Party to make an exception? I vote for the Red Zinf… as Tony would say… SPICY!
As a bottomless blackhole, I did wish there were more substantial amounts of food, but the abundance of great company, the lovely atomosphere, and the fantastic quality of the available food more than made up for the lack in quantity.
Will return to visit with Sandy soon.
THANKS for another great event!

Oh Elite Event @ Zanzibar, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways:
— Awesome company
— A really SPICY Zin
— Really nice décor
— Nice food offerings
— The cute server whose name I did not get who made the extra effort to bring by a plate of everything Zanzibar had to offer (You made me so, very happy)
Thanks Meg for another hit! Thanks Zanzibar for being great hosts!

I’m sure you saw me there.
I was the one posted up in front of the cheese or the wine bar.
And that pretty much sums up Michelle M.
Thank you Zanzibar for the wonderful food and wine
Thank you Meg for organizing such a wonderful event
Thank you Crazy for making me mingle
Thank you Jae for paying me $ 3 to wear the Unilocal tee shirt.

Petiete Syrah… why were you so tasty? what made you so wonderful tonight?
At the end of the event i had this sudden urge to try and walk out with the cheeze board…

Free food is no longer #1 in my book. Free AWESOME food is better! And throw in a nice assortment of friends and libations and we’ve got ourselves another winner!
And the white burgundy was absolutely wonderful. Both me and my better half enjoyed it immensely.
I don’t know how Meg gets these things together, and pulls them off so well, but somehow she does, and it always leaves me saying, «What? It’s over already?»

What an awesome place to get some gelato. If I lived or worked downtown, this would be a danger zone. I grew up on Gelato Vero’s spumoni but I was wowed by all the unique flavors here. Porter gelato? Really? I also saw a Baci gelato — that’s one of my fave Italian chocolates, I’m going to have to come back and try that. I had the hazelnut and the pistacio (two flavors if you get a small — awesome) and they were perfect.
Kudos to Nathan and his crew for hosting the Unilocal elites — you guys did a great job serving all of us and left a lasting good impression.

Zanzibar, like your namesake islands, you are an exotic riddle.
Your beach location has that brunch-​y feel, bagels, foccacia and coffee, beach bums and coffee addicts. Downtown, you feel more like … well, downtown. Business lunches and wine lists. The restaurant itself is beautiful. Those in flip flops and board shorts wouldn’t even feel comfortable trying to get in.
I used to work across the street in the Pannikin building. In fact, my window looked out upon a parking lot which is now Zanzibar. Zanzibar, I remember when you used to just be a homeless person who sang a lot and smelled like death. (You smell a lot better now.)
Anyway, they hosted an excellent party, and I am grateful for it. I don’t mean to be a buzzkill, but my only complaints would be first that they should offer some token of acknowledgment, culinary or otherwise, to the good people of Tanzania. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would come in here hoping for a wee taste of Africa nosh. My other wish is that they had served food at the party that appears on the menu. The food is excellent, but was it from the regular chef? Or did they bring in a ringer?!
Thanks, Zanzibar, for your warm hospitality, plummy Petite Syrah, and wonderful eats.

Let me give thanks, as it is almost Thanksgiving:
To Meg for finding a way to get me to be able attend late (probably a cancellation), but it was a wonderful thing for me to be able to be there.
To Meg for doing such a wonderful job. You make everyone feel welcome and keep the energy positve and up.
To Zanzibar … for the excellent wines and scrumptious foods.
To Unilocalers … you are the best.
I love you guys.

Awesome night, once again. Good vino (loved the zinfandel, the second time without cough drop in mouth), hors d’oeurves that had me salivating for more (especially the lamb chops), gracious hosts, and the coolest people. Will definitely return to Zanzibar Café soon.
Oh, and can’t forget about the yummy gelato at Mondo Gelato. Great nightcap.

I think I’m in love…
and his name is Stromboli…

Werd!