Neiman Marcus Zodiac Restaurant

Haven’t been here for a while and the popovers are still terrific as is the strawberry butter; the chicken salad with orange soufflé is just as good as it used to be and the bad part, the popover lady kept coming back with hot popovers. Yum!!!

Before the meal they served us yummy pastries with strawberry butter as well as petite cups of chicken broth. Great service and appetizers.
What we ordered:
i) STARTERS
Deviled Eggs Three Ways
ii) COMPOSED SALADS
Grilled Shrimp & Quinoa Salad
iII) ENTRÉES
Filet of Beef (caramelized onions, blue cheese butter, seasonal vegetables, roast thyme fingerling potatoes, red wine jus)
iv) DESSERTS
Chocolate Lace Cake

Lunch was wonderful. Not a fan of the broth served before ordering — too salty. The popovers and berry butter are a fave and I would gladly order the shrimp and quinoa salad again. The consistency of quinoa varies and it was cooked perfectly. The shrimp seemed lightly blackened and was delicious — an awesome salad.

The five stars are for the sincerity of the staff, who always aim to please and care for the patrons. The menu is varied and there are daily specials which all look wonderful. I spend my $$ at restaurants where I can be assured of ‘safe’ and tasty dining. FOOD SENSITIVITIES are no fun, but some dining establishments excel at making the trip worth it. N-M’s Zodiac is one of the best at accommodating.
I’ve been stuck with restrictions for 20+ years, so I ask my questions ahead of time. (Never when a restaurant is busy) and if I can find two or three items on a standard menu, or know the staff, well enough to trust them, the restaurant has a new regular. No surprises! No problems.
Try this location once, you’ll love it! And for those who can have dessert… Feast your eves and your taste buds on the most delectable choices here!

Happened to come here by process of elimination. Although I have been here for lunch many times, it was a first for Sunday Brunch, which was started here just a few weeks ago. We arrived at 2 pm and though it ends at 3pm, the restaurant was not empty and the server showed no signs of «I’m getting outta here soon» I wish I asked her name– great job! We order the special Crab Cakes Benedict, very good. Unbelievably delicious pancakes and bacon from the kid’s menu, Morrocan Chicken Wrap (looked great) and my picky teenage niece ate all of it, very good burger and I chose the winners, Breakfast Flatbread with a side of Ribolitta Soup. All of the food was very good, broth and popovers included– yum! Our server was on top of everything, friendly and anticipating of our needs. We LOVE brunch and we will be back!

Oh, you fancy, huh?
I’ll start off by admitting that the only reason I found myself here for a Saturday lunch is because I was invited by Neiman Marcus’ PR rep to give the restaurant a try. Because honestly? Stephanie + Frontenac + Neiman Marcus just doesn’t compute. At all.
So now that’s out of the way. I came here on a Saturday afternoon for lunchy goodness. Zodiac is located inside of Neiman Marcus. The most straightforward way to get to the place is to park outside of Neiman Marcus, go upstairs, and the restaurant is clearly marked. It was easy for me to find, and I’m directionally challenged.
The place itself is nice. The crowd consisted of lots of middle aged to older women. It was quite crowded; I definitely recommend making a reservation.
Anyway, I was seated immediately, and the waitress came over with an ice cold glass of water and a cute little espresso cup filled with delicious chicken broth. Oh my. This was fab.
Next up? The famous popovers! I’ve never had a popover before, so I was excited to try it. It was sort of like a puffier croissant? I tried it with the strawberry butter that was provided, which was delicious. But then the waitress brought over some strawberry jam — she said that was her favorite way to enjoy the popover. Woah, was she right! Ask for the strawberry jam with your popover. You’re welcome.
The lunch special for that day was chicken pot pie, and that sounded amazing, so I went with it.
This isn’t your grandma’s pot pie! Instead of coming in a traditional pot pie shape, this was layered with tons of deliciously flaky phyllo dough. Oh wow. This was amazing, and the portion was HUGE! I loved the richness of the pot pie filling. There were tons of veggies, potatoes, and huge chunks of chicken. It totally hit the spot.
After 2 popovers, ¹⁄₃ of my pot pie, and chicken broth, I was stuffed. But then the waitress told me about the dessert menu. And even though I was absolutely stuffed, when I heard about the selections, I HAD to order dessert.
Who wants to guess what I ordered? Bread pudding, of course.
We’ll start with the positive. The presentation was amazing. I’ve attached a picture. The ice cream on top of the bread pudding was seriously amazing. And the raspberry sauce surrounding it was delicious.
But the bread pudding itself? I wasn’t a fan. It had chunks of cranberries in it. I’ve never had fruitcake, but I imagine that this must be what it tasted like. I’m such a BP purist, and this had so many chunks of fruit and nuts in it that I just couldn’t do it.
Anyway, Zodiac was amazing. I don’t think I would come here on a regular basis, but I think my grandma would be a huge fan of the atmosphere and the food.
On the way out, I grabbed one of those famous Neiman Marcus cookies. Please believe the hype. That sucker was TASTY.

I resisted the siren call of the Zodiac Restaurant at Neimans for fear that lunch might include a side of $ 500 heels. I don’t have this fear at Applebees.
Zodiac does it right by starting off with a delicious popover and a side of strawberry butter. Along with the carbs comes a tiny expresso cup of chicken broth to get your taste buds revved up. Nice.
I ordered the black angus burger, meduim done and subed the chips for a healthy green salad with light balsamic dressing. I am a burger fanatic and anticipated the burger would be decent. No, not decent at the Zodiac… superb at the Zodiac. Completely surprising to me. Pleasantly surprised.
For a Saturday afternoon, it was busy but service was great. My only small dissappointment was that the chocolate chip cookies were out that day. Oh well. Guess who is going back to Zodiac to try more menu items and snatch up those cookies!
Beware that Zodiac has VERY limited hours of operation like 11am to 2pm or 3pm I think. Also, it is advised that you make reservations. I didn’t but was told it is a good idea especially on the weekends.

I went to the Zodiac Saturday afternoon with my mom for the first time and I have to say I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting a little more classiness and maybe it was because I went during a busy Saturday as opposed to during the week, but it wasn’t so fancy. The place was packed and noisy and I was seated between two parties with children. Service was really, really slow.
I ordered the toasted cheese with avocado, tomato, and bacon. It came with a cup of soup and fruit. The sandwich was really good and came with a ton of bacon. There were two soup selections, neither of which really appealed to me, but I got the pasta faglioli. I wasn’t a huge fan, but I also don’t really like beans, so that’s my problem. My mom ordered a orange soufflé with chicken salad. I’d never seen a soufflé like that and don’t think I’d get it, but it was interesting. A few people around me ordered salads and those looked amazing.
The popovers with strawberry butter were good, and yes you get as many as you want. I think I might want to come back here during the week when it’s not so crazy and there are less children. Maybe then it would be more a treat.

I like coming here and feeling fancy.
My mother had given me one of her In-​Circle (read: NM Shopper Club) Perk card, which means it’s only good for dining and services, and, since I’m in school and could always use a fancy pick-​me-​up, decided to invite my friend Amy for an afternoon of lunching and (window) shopping.
Coming here (or any NM restaurant) for lunch lets me pretend what it would be like to be a lady who lunches. That’s who was all around us, except with a few well-​dressed husband-​companions.
The Zodiac has lovely modern décor and a bright bar area. Other ladies were in the back tea room playing cards.
I love the NM tradition: popovers with sweet strawberry butter and a demitasse of chicken consommé. What’s the word that I would use to describe this? Oh yes, fancy.
My shrimp and vegetable risotto was delicious. I always appreciate the NM menu, with its recommendations for healthy dining (although my risotto did not make the list). The bread pudding was fabulous, and they split it for Amy and I onto two separate plates — no plate-​sharing here!
In the spirit of «healthy» dining, I also appreciated their low-​calorie cocktail options, because, seriously, who should have to give up an afternoon cocktail if they’re on a diet? I had their margarita (at only 170 calories).
It was enough for a light, cheerful buzz throughout the shoe department. Fancy *and* classy.

I like to think of myself as traveled. My thirteen-​year-​old daughter is no stranger to fine restaurants either, but is picky. We went to Zodiac while shopping and had not only a great lunch but a memorable experience. We were seated quickly and effortlessly even though they were busy and we had no reservation. Not easily impressed, once the espresso cups of consommé automatically arrived, my daughters best manners came out. Our waiter had the perfect balance of attentiveness and knowledge. I had the special — a artichoke/​leek stuffed chicken breast on portabello ravioli with sauteed spinach ($ 16) and my daughter ordered a plain grilled chicken breast sandwich (not on the menu). We sat next to an elderly man, who also ordered off-​menu — a large shrimp cocktail and fresh strawberries. When he asked if they had strawberries, a soup bowl full of beautiful strawberries (in November) literally arrived within minutes. You could tell this man was a regular at Zodiac as all the staff greeted him and took time to take special care of him. We chatted with this man, who had wonderful stories and interesting insights.
One of the Neiman staff came and had ice tea with him so he did not eat alone.
We ended our meal with a four piece gelato sampling presented in little wafer cones — chocolate, vanilla bean, raspberry and my favorite, fresh apple with caramel ribbons. Yummy. ($ 6 – 8)
The food is excellent, but the service is what made our trip to Zodiac truly great.

I ate here for the first time yesterday with boyfriend and family from out of town. The place was as good as I expected!
I ordered the crab cake burger — delicious! The house merlot and cab. were very mellow, just right for lunch. The popovers are to die for!
I enjoyed the atmosphere: it’s really open and modern; you don’t feel squished into a crowded shopping-​mall restaurant. Obviously, it is a little higher brow than your typical cheesecake factory, and I think it’s worth the extra $. It was a little bit of a splurge for lunch, but honestly not over-​priced.

i make it a point to go here at least once a year. the food is decadent.
it changes from time to time. i have not made it yet this year. i hope to try the lobster mac and cheese this year, so i may try to wait til October.
the popovers with strawberry butter and espresso cup of broth are the perfect start. last year when i was there they were still serving tea in the fluted glassed. the crab cakes melt in our mouth. the chicken was juicy. you would not believe how many places can and do mess up chicken. with its creamy white colored walls, cloth napkins and table cloth, the ambiance is all part of the experience.
it is rare that i get to stop and eat at a place that is so elegant. in this day and time everything is a sports bar. there is maybe one TV at the bar area. it is muted, if there is one, not the loud obnoxious bar scene.
it can be OK for kids, but why would you want to take your kids? if your kids are not picky eaters and are behaved (the kind where the minute you sit at the table they start screaming and rung around like it is chuck C’s), they will be fine. my nephew was like 7 or 8 when we decided to eat lunch here one day. he is for the most part well behaved, but is a chicken strip/​nugget and fries guy. they offered to make him mac and cheese or buttered noodles. ummmmmm…
yeah i had to bribe him with promises of ice cream after dinner. thank
you oberweis!
i will be there in October. maybe even this summer for a salad that actually tastes good. i will not even start on the chocolate crème brûlée. the price is steep. i do not leave with a bill under $ 30 for one. but defiantly worth it.

Good food, great popovers, but the service varies between adequate and horrid. Otherwise a good girly lunch.

I agree whole-​heartedly with everything Stefanie E. said about the popovers with strawberry butter served at The Zodiac at NM. They are truly some of the best things I’ve ever tasted in my life! Whenever I have the chance to dine at Zodiac, I always call the popover guy over to my table at least 2 more times after the initial drop-​off. And he’s always willing to oblige. The popovers are steamy, airy, eggy perfection. Apparently the recipe is available on the back of the children’s menu, though I’d be remiss to try baking them myself — I don’t think they’d even come close to those prepared professionally at The Zodiac.
As for the rest of the menu at The Zodiac — you can’t go wrong with all the options available. Look out for their daily specials — they always have something enticing listed there. And their soups are amazing. A favorite is the Medley, where you get a cup of soup along with a half-​sandwich (either tuna or chicken salad — both excellent choices). The Mandarin Salad plate is also a great choice — you get chicken salad, a heaping pile of frest fruit, a muffin, and a delicious mandarin orange custardy-​soufflé. It’s very good. The crab cake is another great choice.
I know NM is famous for their chocolate chip cookies, but honestly, I’ve always been so full from yummy food and the popovers that I’ve yet to save room for dessert!
Even if you’ve never set foot in a Neiman Marcus store in your life — you must to try the popovers at The Zodiac. Be warned — they’re only open for lunch, and if you show up during peak luncheon hours, be prepared to wait while «the ladies who lunch» finish up their meal.

If I only said one word to you ever again, it would be popover. And if I could say a few more it would be popovers with strawberry butter at Neiman Marcus’ Zodiac restaurant.
It’s really rather strange and ethereal, the whole Zodiac thing. I mean, it’s tucked away on the second floor behind the clothing department. You wouldn’t know it’s there unless someone told you or unless you frequent Neiman Marcus, which I don’t.
But once you find it, it’s like a little light gets turned on in your heart. Really. It’s magical. Like a fancy little trip through the wardrobe in Narnia. Only on the other side you get warm, airy and golden popovers just begging to be slathered with the creamiest, sweetest and most strawberry infused butter you’ve ever tasted. You can certainly ask for strawberry jam, too, if you want to be really puristy.
The food there, is awesome, too. Fresh fish and pasta dishes. The ambiance is really cool. Kind of clubby feeling, if that club were inside a honeydew melon, peppered with cantaloupe chandeliers and rose petal wall adornments. I mean it when I say it feels like you stepped into some kind of portal. If you can believe it, though, it’s not an expensive portal. Amazingly affordable. The food here is perhaps the only thing you will ever purchase at Neiman Marcus.