Hot Dish


First Zen, Now ZAZA

Mike Cardascia, founder of pan-Asian Naples hot spot Zen Asian BBQ, is expanding his reach with a Mexican restaurant on Marco Island.

BY February 16, 2018

Editor's Note: ZAZA Kitchen will open Monday, Feb. 19.

Marco Island has a lot of cheer lately—a remarkably quick post-Irma bounceback, an upgraded Marriott (the brand’s most luxurious JW line) and ever-expanding quality dining options.

Moving that needle a little further is Mike Cardascia. The founder of the highly popular Naples restaurant Zen Asian BBQ is now working his magic on Mexican food with ZAZA Kitchen on Bald Eagle Drive.

The cornerstone of the menu is Mexican street food—tacos. He’s doing it the right way, slow-cooking all of the meat in a smoker for 12 hours for a rich al pastor, carne asada and brisket (there are also grilled fish and shrimp options, too). And don’t be fooled: The dining area has way more to entice you to sit and stay, from two types of queso fundido, flautas and house-fried nachos as appetizers to tamales, enchiladas, burritos and quesadillas as mains and churros and sopapilla for dessert.

 

To plan a visit:

ZAZA Kitchen

1095 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island

(239) 970-5205

eatatzaza.com

 

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