As you pull into the gravel parking lot, and look for a space, you see that nothing much has changed on the outside from the Willowside Café which was there for many years, other than the name. It has been Zazu for over a year at least! You know Zazu, like Zazu Pitts, ……. Oh never mind, that’s another generation.

As you open the creaky door in this old obscure shack of a building, you see that it has been added to, several times, by observing the ceiling and floor levels. Once a roadside stop called the Spaghetti Factory, it has seen many changes in ownership, little in remodeling.

Once you see the menu, you will see a big change from before, where the Willowside was run on what’s fresh, what’s here, what’s now, the new owners are more structured, still using fresh fresh, but more down to earth, classics and predictable.

Santa Rosa is not a town that likes drastic changes, like additional freeway lanes to alleviate the horrible traffic on the 101….ok, that’s also another story…

Most of the menu is Italian, yeah another Italian restaurant. No, not so fast, this one seems to have some of the usual and then some of the not so…There is a twist of California Cooking infused into the Italian.Before the Willowside was one of Santa Rosa’s best restaurants, Zazu fits into all the nooks and crannies of the building along with providing a reasonable menu, although not the items or quality which Willowside was know for. One of the differences is their wine selection. They have a limited amount of local vintages, as apposed to what Willowside use to have.

Their limited list does have a few bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnays at reasonable to high prices. Wines start at about $ 29.00 per bottle. They have a decent choice of red’s starting at about $ 35.00.

The decorations and ambiance of the dining room, if I dare call that is something of a cross between a large hallway and a dining room in a long singlewide office trailer. Although there are some room fixings like nice mirrors, which do make the room look larger, even though you have to see dining guests from various angles.

If you want to sit at their counter, you can, if you enjoy looking into the kitchen and the front door with guests passing your back.The service the evening we were there was excellent, items delivered correctly, plates removed or changed when required and cleared when needed.

Our waiter knew the menu and specials and explained all the entrées in detail. The Willowside had students and a few professional, where ZAZU appears to have a few less waiters, but more professional and attentive.

The dinner was good and served promptly. I had the ZAZU basil and cured duck salad, which was excellent, $6.00. My Wife enjoyed cherry bell peppers stuffed with goat cheese. These are baked and served with a pumpkin seed pesto sauce. Also $ 6.00 dollars. Also offered was a Santa Rosa Antipasto plate, which included marinated artichokes, eggplant slices and zucchini, $5.50.

For the entrée I had the Fennel Crusted Ahi, served on a bed of summer greens with mushrooms. $20.00. My wife had the Sonoma Duck Breast served with Grilled Peaches and cooked medley of beans. $21.00. Both items were good, but not something so good that you would want to order it on another visit.We decided that we didn’t feel like trying their home made sorbets or cream puffs, which were on the menu that night. $ 7.00 Although looking at the next table, both items looked good and had generous portions.

All in all, ZAZU is not as good as the Willowside was, but it is worth a return trip which we will attempt this coming season. A little pricey for the combination of ambiance and quality, but maybe in their eyes, the crowds they are attracting do not mind paying for country barn atmosphere.

Dinners are from 5:30 to 9:30.They are closed on Monday and Tuesdays.
Located on the corner of Willowside and Guerneville roads. If you are going north on Highway 101 , take the Guerneville road exit at Coddingtown Shopping Center,
( Steele Lane ) and go west underneath the freeway going west. You will go for about 3 miles until you start coming into the countryside, look for it on your right.

As a side note, please be advised that I did not list the banner or masthead with the restaurants name. The problem is the name of the town first of all is Guerneville. It comes from the founder of the town, named Fredrick Guerne. Also, the restaurant is ON Guerneville road, "on the way" to Guerneville, just shy about 8 miles. And lastly, the name should you ever have to pronounce it, is pronounced with Guerne' last "e" silent. So that would be Guern__ville. Just so the locals don't figure out that you are not from these parts........




Recommended: Yes

Kid Friendliness: Yes
Vegetarian Friendly: Yes
Notes, Tips or Menu Recommendations The Ahi is excellent, they do a great job with the vegi's.