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Excitement.  Energy. Relaxation.  All enjoyed in high style, at a location that is the center of the latest and most-current events in a vibrant metropolitan community.  In a beautiful environment with top cuisine and standard-setting hospitality – and a most careful attention to detail that makes it a place one wants to be.

Hotel ZaZa in Downtown Houston encompasses all of these wonderful elements.  With an almost magical way of capturing all of the spirit of excitement and energy in its distinctive name, ZaZa sets  an expectation that something unexpected will take place.

The famous food and dining experiences at Hotel ZaZa deliver the same excitement with special, fresh interpretations of class Texas and American favorites.

Chef Adam West and Chef Todd Ruiz are the acclaimed team leading the fine culinary tradition at this famous Houston hospitality destination, the center of so many high-profile events and visits from dignitaries and celebrities from entertainment, every day.

Chef West and Chef Ruiz are known for their achievements in their careers, each having led culinary teams at some of the biggest and most prestigious dining and hospitality brands.  What these premier chefs are continually recognized and praised for in their stellar work at Hotel ZaZa is their consistent delivery of fine recipes that provide a flavorful taste of Texas and Southwest tradition, with refreshing and entertaining experiences of favorites at the table.

Chef West’s menu at Monarch Bistro features a refreshing journey in Texas’ culinary history, from prairie to coast, with incorporation of bold flavors of global cuisine.  Chef’s recipes on his new spring menu for dinner include Ginger Beef Tenderloin with wasabi slather, sesame seed mashed potatoes, shiitake demi-glace and grilled-broccolini;  Lemon Scented Veal Schnitzel, with spring vegetables, fingerling potatoes and cippolini onion jus;  Free Range Chicken with exotic mushroom ragout and soffrito glaze; and Pan Roasted Sea Scallops, with quinoa and cilantro taboulleh, roasted garlic hummus and naan cracker.   Chef’s Butcher’s Block menu at Monarch for steaks with black angus beef includes a wonderful Petite Filet and a New York Strip, with delectable sides of bacon mac-and-cheese and grilled asparagus, and high-season sauces like cabernet jus, shiitake demi-glace, chimichurri and garlic and herb butter.   Monarch’s new lunch menu brings everyone wonderful sandwiches like the ZaZa Club with smoked bacon, turkey, Swiss cheese and basil mayo; the One Hot Chick with Cajun blackened chicken, avocado, bacon, pepper jack cheese and chipotle aoli; and a Classic Cheese Burger, 8 ounces of great beef simply topped with cheddar.   Lunch at Monarch also includes Daily Tacos; the Chicken Paillard, with parmesan, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette, and such sensational flavors as the spice in Golden Tomato and Saffron Gazpacho.

 

 

“Hotel ZaZa’s concept and approach provide the idea environment to balance creativity and genuine success,”  says Chef West.  “It’s great to have the foundation of continual high traffic, with guests to appreciate and enjoy something creative and clever in a recipe for something that they already love.  We are focused daily on providing an incredibly high-standard experience that attracts everyone’s attention, and keeps them coming back.”

“It’s wonderful to be in an environment that provides that stable framework, with the flexibility to be creative with the classics, too.”

Both chefs prepare fine meals for guests who arrive and enjoy the dynamic  energy that continually flows in a world-class hospitality destination. Along with visits from guests among the world’s most famous, local residents also often stay at the Hotel for its incredible “home away from home” environment that is an elegant stay-cation.   The meals that everyone enjoys at Monarch, and from room service, and at special events have built an image and expectation for the best from the Hotel ZaZa culinary team.

 

 

Chef Ruiz especially enjoys the excitement of collaboration with local charities and business organizations hosting fundraisers and milestone gatherings at Hotel ZaZa Houston.   Chef and his banquet team of culinary professionals create unique and customized experiences for every group – from foods that allow guests to interact with chefs, and connect with world cuisines that match their event theme or approach.

“I agree that this is the best of both worlds to have a concept and framework that gives you the opportunity for creativity, and the stability of a top-level team to execute and deliver on each event,” says Chef Ruiz.  “It’s also really rewarding personally to be able to help a charity meet its goals of providing friends and patrons with a stylish and exciting experience for their donation to the cause.”

“We really work collaboratively as an entire team to provide the best, while being aware and sensitive to the fact that the groups have fundraising goals, too.”

Chef Ruiz’s creation of such stellar menus for every meal include breakfast selections from The Wake Up Call of a classic breakfast with the addition of breakfast chicken and pork sausage;  Southern Hospitality with eggs, hot cakes and grits; and the Breakfast Siesta with poached egg chilaquiles, Mexican chorizo with eggs and poblano and chile hash browns.  Or you can enjoy the Smoked Salmon Stop, or a live Belgian Waffle Station.  Chef’s signature Cherry and Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast and “Bennies” eggs benedicts with clever ingredients like braised short ribs or lobster are Hotel ZaZa Houston fan favorites.

Chef’s Grilled Outlaw of hanger steak, caramelized onion brie mashed potatoes, sweet peppers and asparagus, with bourbon cherry demi is among the favorites on the banquet menu.  The Mag 7 menu wows everyone at events late night with incredible flavors sweet and savory tastings, like the Black Label, with Johnny Walker cakes, pulled pork, and cabbage slaw.   And the Roasted Beef Tenderloin with a choice of thyme-rubbed, ancho and cocoa-rubbed, or bacon-wrapped tenderloin, with red wine sauce, wild mushroom ragout, horseradish sauce, duo of mustards, and mini silver dollar rolls is one of an incredible selection of Hot Cuisine stations at ZaZa that makes everyone happy.

Za Main Street Buffet is a special event menu Chef Ruiz created to wow as well, with seasonal field greens, puffed fruit, shaved red onions, strawberry balsamic asparagus and oyster mushroom salad, Poached Lobster Salad with mango, cucumber and hydroponic lettuce; Roasted Shallot Bisque with brioche croutons; Grilled New York Steaks with caramelized onions and red wine sauce; Basil Crusted Chicken Medallions with orange beurre blanc and citrus fennel salad; and Pan Seared Striped Bass, with artichoke and asparagus cream, brown butter and pecan scented wild rice.

Damon Webb and the combined Winn Meat Company and Ben E. Keith Foods team provide center-of-the-plate leadership to Chef West and Chef Ruiz, with provision of beef for signature recipes, along with the steaks and burgers on many of the Hotel ZaZa menus.

The distinctive, world-class quality and energy at Hotel ZaZa are the result of continual dedication and diligence of a top professional culinary and hospitality team together, to deliver the best in a beautiful and comfortable setting.  Congratulations to Chef Adam West and Chef Todd Ruiz for their commitment to excellence, creativity and success that makes coming to Houston a Texas culinary experience with always fresh and exciting flavors and entertainment at the table!

www.hotelzaza.com

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