December, 3 pm – Zut!
Sometimes you just have to cast away all manners and enjoy a day in town like a tourist. After a few cups at Teance, Kristen and I were famished. As student I’ve gone lunch-less almost daily without problems, but drinking oolong without lunch is definitely the quickest way to wake up the hungry beast in you. We planned on gorging down pancakes at Bette’s across the street but we missed it by 6 minutes (why on earth do they close at 2:30 on a Friday?), so we dashed back to the other side of the street to Zut with exclamation mark and chose an appetizer and two entrees before the waitress could ask what kind of drinks we wanted. This, in our book, was record fast. However, despite our effort, the food didn’t come out fast enough. On a normal day, we would say the appetizer indeed got out in a really reasonable time, but one thumb-sized stuffed squid plus our extreme tea-induced hunger plus the lack of bread commonly served at Western restaurants really brought out the best of us: we stared longingly in the direction of the staff and the kitchen. The waitress caught our eyes.
Chorizo-stuffed squid ($9) – too expensive, the spinach is good, the sauce is good, tender squid, but the pepperiness of chorizo offsets the savoriness for me.
The first time she came back: “Do you need something?” Glances exchanged. “No…” *innocent smile* Longing stare continued… The second time she came back: “Would you like some bread with olive oi..” “Yes PLEASE!” *big wide grin* Four slices. Don’t know if they’re good because they’re good or because we were hungry, but they were gone after 2 minutes. More longing stare… This time our waitress intentionally avoided eye contact. We understand, but would we give up? No. Young as we were (we think), we were desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. We waved at another waiter, said, somewhat alarmed at our own temerity: “Could we have some more bread?”
Sausage and egg pizza ($15) – pizza’s okay, runny egg yolk on soggy pizza is waste of brain power
Zut! burger with white cheddar ($14) – the beef patty needs salt, the pickles are fresh, good crunchy fries
We were more fortunate than Oliver Twist because the waiter was much nicer than Mr. Bumble, as evident by the 6 slices following our request. Unfortunately, they arrived at the same time as the burger and the pizza, so instead of devouring them, we devoured the burger and the pizza. To discover that neither had enough salt.
Pear cardamom bread pudding ($8) – couldn’t taste either pear or cardamom. There were some kind of grapes which Kristen thought were fresh grapes and I thought were raisins. Ice cream would have been 56 times better than crème chantilly, but the airy crust on top saved the day.
So that solved the mystery: there’s a thing of salt on every table (not a salt shaker, mind you, but a sort of porcelain cup shape-wise akin to the thing that contains the tea candle, no lid). Without the bread we had no idea why it was there. Anyways they have good fries and good pickles. Dessert menus brought out, the waitress no longer avoided eye contact. Pear cardamom bread pudding looked good. So did grapefruit sorbet. We were really full at this point (Kristen finished only half of her pizza) so we said bread pudding please. Then we thought hey a palate cleanser would be nice because we needed to wash the fries off our palates… what next was only inevitable: “Can we have the grapefruit sorbet before the bread pudding please?” The sorbet dissolved the fullness (maybe it was just an illusion, but it lasted long enough for us to finish the bread pudding). How wonderful is the power of cold citrus things.
Grapefruit sorbet ($8) – with ginger snap. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
On a normal day Zut (exclamation mark or not) wouldn’t make the cut because we’re not into risottos and paninis, and we like our foods well seasoned, but that pink sorbet made our soul glint, an instrumental version of Memory was playing, the dangling lights on the trees were getting brighter as the sun got lower. The holidays drew nearer. We stood outside for a good five minutes just watching the lights. Silly girls. 🙂
Address: Zut! on Fourth 1820 4th Street Berkeley, CA 94710 510-644-0444 www.zutonfourth.com
Heya i’m for the primary time here. I found this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out much. I’m hoping to provide one thing again and aid others like you helped me.
1Heya just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both show the same results.
2It is in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
3Very nice info and right to the point. I am not sure if this is really the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thanks 🙂
4I’ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
5I like this weblog very much, Its a really nice post to read and find information. “You have to lead people gently toward what they already know is right.” by Philip.
6I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
7Sweet internet site, super design, very clean and employ genial.
8I’m often to running a blog and i really admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I’m going to bookmark your web site and maintain checking for brand spanking new information.
9Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
10Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic site!
11Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
12I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
13It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
14This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
15I think other website owners should take this site as an example , very clean and good user friendly layout.
16I visited a lot of website but I think this one holds something extra in it in it
17Wohh just what I was searching for, appreciate it for putting up.
18You made a number of fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found nearly all people will go along with with your blog.
19Some genuinely interesting information, well written and broadly user pleasant.
20Unquestionably believe that that you said. Your favourite justification seemed to be at the net the easiest thing to take note of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed even as other folks think about worries that they just do not recognise about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
21Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
22fantastic post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You should continue your writing. I am sure, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
23Hello very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds also?KI am happy to seek out a lot of helpful info here within the publish, we want work out extra strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
24After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.
25Some truly prize content on this internet site, saved to bookmarks.
26I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?
27I like this web blog so much, saved to bookmarks. “To hold a pen is to be at war.” by Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire.
28Definitely, what a great site and informative posts, I will bookmark your site.Best Regards!
29I really enjoy looking at on this web site, it holds wonderful blog posts. “Never fight an inanimate object.” by P. J. O’Rourke.
30Just wanna state that this is invaluable, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
31I will immediately seize your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me recognize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
32Superb post but I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Cheers!
33You can certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
34I do not even know how I finished up right here, however I believed this submit used to be great. I do not recognize who you’re but definitely you are going to a well-known blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
35Thank you for any other informative web site. Where else could I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal method? I have a mission that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.
36It is truly a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
37With havin so much written content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My blog has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help reduce content from being stolen? I’d definitely appreciate it.
38Hey there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my apple iphone. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to correct this problem. If you have any recommendations, please share. Appreciate it!
39Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth was once a leisure account it. Glance advanced to far added agreeable from you! However, how could we keep in touch?
40Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!
41Fantastic goods from you, man. I have remember your stuff previous to and you’re just too magnificent. I actually like what you’ve got here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which by which you say it. You’re making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read far more from you. That is really a terrific web site.
42I like the efforts you have put in this, appreciate it for all the great blog posts.
43I like this web site very much, Its a real nice post to read and find info . “There are two ways of spreading light to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” by Edith Newbold Jones Wharton.
44Hello there, simply turned into aware of your weblog through Google, and located that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you proceed this in future. Lots of folks might be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
45I believe you have remarked some very interesting details, regards for the post.
46I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to achieve my goals. I absolutely liked reading all that is written on your website.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
47My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page yet again.
48I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your website? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images. Maybe you could space it out better?
49Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is actually frustrating. A good site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
50