Zest - an American Bistro

I discovered Zest after an unsuccessful attempt to have dinner at Rose's Luxury. While chiding myself for loading the parking meter with coins I  decided to give nearby  Zest a try.

Zest's website states that is committed to being environmentally friendly and has taken a number steps towards being green. Wood from the restaurant demolition was saved and made into the dining room tables and bar top, non-toxic paint was used on the walls, the water heater, sinks and toilets are highly energy efficient and the bamboo floors are a sustainable resource.

Zest offers creative dishes at competitive prices (when I visited entrees ranged in price from $13.95 to $22.95). I tried the kale salad (colorful, fresh and tasty it  features roasted butternut squash, beets, french beans, purple cabbage apples, toasted sesame seeds, goddess tahini dressing ), the salmon special (salmon accompanied with haricot vert and risotto- good idea, but the flavor elements of the risotto and haricot vert competed with the salmon) and brownie sundae (sweet and satisfying).

kale salad

salmon special

brownie sundae

The staff was moving at a brisk pace the evening I visited. For a couple of customers the pace wasn't fast enough as they left after they were seated brought beverages and waited for their server to return.


Reservations for Zest can be made via  Open Table. Note to single diners: you may be offered a seat at the bar if the restaurant is busy. The night I visited I sat at the bar. The bartender recommended the kale salad that I ordered.


The bathroom was clean but is near the bar and an area where table items are bussed are being removed from diner's table. I exited the bathroom slowly but nearly collided with a server enroute to pick up a drink order. Yikes!

Zest is family friendly and has a children's menu.

Zest is in the increasingly popular Eastern Market section, of DC. The restaurant makes efficient use of its small space; I recommend making reservations if you plan to visit the restaurant. Off street metered parking is available on 8th Street SE (meters run Monday  through Saturday evening). Adjacent streets have zoned/permit parking.  The close metro stop is Eastern Market.



Zest was okay, but didn't impress me enough to make it my 'go to' place when I'm in the Eastern Market area.