We call it ZaoWow!
  • zao.com
  • "We call it ZaoWow!"

"Health & Wisdom in a bowl" is dead: Zao Noodle Bar in University Village (and Bellevue) is no more.

Slog tipper lukeiscool writes:

Got a phone call and joined up with the employees at closing time. It was a sad state of affairs; though many knew it was a long time coming they didn't expect to hear it 5 hours before the doors closed for the last time. Some of them had been working there since opening 10+ years ago.

Those who frequented may fondly remember the bland, corporate taste that worked heavily over every item they served on the menu, but for those forced to stay in U-village for any period of time, it was the best place to grab a cheap bite and a beer. Oh how i'll miss the tofu fries and tall sapporos.

Rumor has it that it is being replaced by a Microsoft store to rival the Apple store across the parking lot.

The website for Zao—which also had locations in Emeryville and Palo Alto, California, and Tigard, Oregon (and received tepid reader-reviews)—says "As of today, November 11, 2010, Zao Noodle Bar has closed all of its restaurants and is out of business." The phone at Zao Global Headquarters in San Ramon has been disconnected.