With November comes the beginning of the party season — Thanksgiving and Christmas, office gatherings, nights out for cocktails, entertaining visiting family and friends. You want to impress, but you don’t want to work too hard. Easy solution: Zana.
The Birmingham restaurant, which celebrated its one-year anniversary last month, is part of the Michigan-based Tallulah Group owned by husband-and-wife team Mario and Martina Camaj and also comprising Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro in Birmingham and BESA in Downtown Detroit.
Born out of a love for wine, food and friends when Mario bought it in 2013, Tallulah has grown into one of Birmingham’s favorite gathering spots. Conceived as a new modern American restaurant with a Mediterranean and European flair, Zana’s mission, says Martina, “remains the same — our guests before ourselves, exceptional service and a menu with the best-sourced ingredients.” Led by Chef Benjamin Zemach, its menu offers something for everyone, including tableside theatrics of Zana’s 48-ounce Hanging Tomahawk Ribeye or dry-aged Steak Tartare under smoke. Handcrafted pastas change with the seasons. And the restaurant’s cocktail program — ranging from classics to the oft-requested Oh That Becky — can be enjoyed from its 170-seat bar or dining room. Stop by on Fridays and Saturdays 10 p.m.-2 a.m. for Zana’s After Dark Hours with DJ entertainment, special bottle service and a limited menu.
Equally praised for its stunning award-winning design, Zana was transformed by interior designer Sabrina Buchanan of BASE Designs, Ian Hartwell of Oliver Max Inc. and architect John Gardner of Gardner + Associates. The 10,000-square-foot space includes barrel-vaulted ceilings, the refurbished gold-leaf illuminated bar and mosaic tile and custom glasswork underfoot. Hand-blown glass lighting from the Czech Republic and commissioned artwork is scattered throughout.
Both spacious and intimate, Zana has diverse party-hosting options. In addition to holiday gatherings, it can also host weddings, showers, professional conferences and more. The banquet room was designed to expand and partition to suit almost any need — from parties of 10 guests to 130 seated guests to a full restaurant takeover for up to 300 strolling guests. Menus, decor and florals can be customized with the help of Zana’s private dining team to create an unforgettable soiree. Visit zanabham.com.