Edible Food Find: ZaZ Restaurant
Photos by Adam DeTour
Whenever Olrie Roberts reminisces about his childhood, the “little boy from Grenada” is proud to see how far he’s come. Growing up in Grenada and Trinidad, his grandparents made sure he learned the importance of fresh produce, seafood and spices. Learning how to cook alongside his grandmother, he naturally developed a love for food, but it would be years before he became the “Chef O” everyone knows today.
A teenage Roberts migrated to the United States with aspirations of becoming a dentist, but that quickly changed once he began a career as a welder. Even though he was making good money and making his family proud, Roberts wanted to pursue his real passion, and so he began working part time in various kitchens. He worked in bakeries and country clubs, taking advantage of every opportunity. He eventually studied at Le Cordon Bleu in Cambridge and landed in Mallorca, Spain, where he met restaurateurs and chefs from around the world sharing their stories and talents. He was eager to return to Boston and finally open his own spot. Luckily, he found space on the Hyde Park side of River Street and opened ZaZ Restaurant—named for his two biggest accomplishments: his children, Zariah and Zalin.
The Hyde Park location has truly become a staple for Bostonians throughout the years. From brunches to celebrating milestones and even meeting community leaders, ZaZ has always been a safe space to gather, have a good time and eat delicious food. During the warmer seasons, patrons can enjoy the brightly colored patio in the back. And if you’ve ever stumbled upon ZaZ Restaurant, you know the flavors are bold, the colors are bright and most likely the aroma of the food is what brought you there. You’ll leave full and happy.
ZaZ is an Asian-Caribbean-Latin fusion restaurant that combines some of Roberts’ biggest influences growing up in the Caribbean and learning to cook with friends and chefs from different Asian cultures. The menu feels familiar, like it’s a home-cooked meal—with a twist: Cajun seafood hush puppies, Thai basil fried rice or jerk chicken wrap. While the jerk chicken is the most popular item on the menu, ZaZ has something for everyone and every dietary need, like jerk salmon, smoked crispy tofu, fried cauliflower and even fried jackfruit with a sweet chili sauce.
Roberts, who calls himself a perfectionist, is always trying to improve his recipes. Thus, it’s no surprise that his mantra is “Obsession equals greatness.” Roberts is beyond passionate to keep on creating dishes you can’t find anywhere else. He’s motivated to never stop while acknowledging all the proud moments. From the little boy in Grenada to chef and owner, he is definitely leaving a mark on Boston, while living out his dream and making his country proud.
“Grenada is one of the smallest countries. There’s a lot of proud moments and we’ve evolved,” says Roberts. “We are inspiring folks, it’s so much bigger than us.” Just last year, ZaZ Restaurant celebrated its 10th anniversary. 2022 was a year of celebration and endless wins for the ZaZ family. They opened their second location at Boston City Hall; launched their first ZaZFest Boston, an Afro-Caribbean Festival in the Seaport; and participated in the month-long Holiday Market at Snowport. All while maintaining their flagship location in Hyde Park and a food truck for private events. But if you ask Roberts, this is just the beginning.
Roberts plans to open another location in the Seaport by the name of ZaZiBar. This new cocktail bar will feature smaller bites, creative drinks and cocktails. Imagine ZaZ but tapas-style, with charcuterie boards, oysters and, of course, a Chef O twist. In addition to creating and feeding Bostonians delicious meals, he hopes to share his talents with others through the ZaZ Foundation. The Foundation will offer free cooking classes, second chance work programs, nutritional training and fund food pantries. Roberts is on a mission to unite the Boston community through food.
Roberts and the ZaZ family are definitely building a legacy in Boston. From Hyde Park to Downtown and the Seaport, you’re guaranteed to find a piece of ZaZ somewhere in the city—along with a flavorful and creative dish. While you can learn all about ZaZ Restaurant on their website, @zazrestaurant on Instagram is where you’ll really find all the exciting updates and events.
