5. July 2014: Restaurant Zoilo
The Restaurant Zoilo was again somewhat like a pre-dinner – although rather unplanned. While walking by and finding out that they are a nice winebar with quite great wines at display it felt logical to walk in and enjoy a glass of wine. The “house breads selection & butter” (GBP 1.95) was already quite nice as it was not only regular bread but much more bread with cheese and bread with vegetables making it quite tasty.
As the pre-dinner was supposed to be rather small this time, the only thing ordered were two empanadas: “Empanada Braised Beef Skirt, Potatoes, Onions & Olives” (GBP 3.50) and “Empanada spinach, goats’ cheese, raisins & pine nuts” (GBP 3.50). The empanadas were nice as the dough was not too hard like it is often the case with empanadas but still nicely soft while providing the perfect shell for the empanadas content. Besides the empanadas another Argentinian dish had to be tried – “Queso de chancho, braised pig head croquettes & quince jam” (GBP 5.95). The first croquette I basically ate as a whole and then you definitely lack to get the taste across your mouth as it all somehow disappears in one big something and you do not get anything of the taste of the quince jam. Once you decide to cut one of these croquettes in half you actually get to enjoy the taste of it – while still not getting much of the quince jam.
I discovered something on the menu which I haven’t had before – a “Dulce de Leche Créme Brûlée” (GBP 6.95). I have never seen Dulce de Leche on any European restaurant’s menu but I must say that this créme brûlée was actually very tasty and perfectly transported the flavour across just perfect. What was a bit of a disappointment was that there was no price reduction to the dish although I had ordered the dish without icecream (as it was displayed in the menu).
The wine the waitress, Svetlana, had suggested, a “Zuccardi Malbec” (3,75 DL, GBP 17.95) was quite fine as it had the necessary length and intensity and was even fair in price. A bottle of still water (0,5L) was charged with GBP 1.75 which was also fine and last but not least, a discretionary GBP 1.00 for “Hope for Children” is added to your bill. Frankly, I do not mind the GBP 1.00 but I just think it is not right to put something on the bill without asking the customer.
The place itself is definitely nice and stylish and has a good selection of different wines and actually quite tasty food – so, overall it is definitely a place I can recommend as it is nice, stylish, has good service, tasty simple dishes and a good selection of wine.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Zoilo
Duke Street 9
W1U 3EG London (UK)
Tel.: +44 20 74 86 96 99
E-Mail: info@zoilo.co.uk
Homepage: http://www.zoilo.co.uk
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
