A new twist to Z Café – dinner and craft beer!

Open for three years, Z Café in Bonsall’s River Village continues to grow in popularity.

"We have been so happy and blessed – Bonsall and Fallbrook have really responded," said owner John Toma.

Starting out strong with breakfast and lunch, dinner slowly evolved. Toma, a native of Hawaii, makes sure that there are always seafood items on the menu, including fresh sea bass, salmon, and mahi-mahi. However, there is a new twist to the dinner menu as well – Hawaiian thick-cut steaks with choice Angus beef, including a 24 oz. rib eye and a 15 oz. New York steak.

"The dinner menu will continue to evolve," Toma explained.

Sample entrées from the Early-Bird dinner menu between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and you will find something for every budget… and palate.

A recent addition to the dinner menu is the tri-tip. Not your typical tri-tip, this one is roasted, which is a nice change from the typical barbequed version. The tri-tip is tender – not sinewy. It is also slathered with a delicious mushroom sauce. If some of this mushroom sauce happens to slide over the potatoes and carrots – just let it go – it is perfect for the vegetables too!

Diners will find the tender and light Coconut Shrimp under

the "Grazers" menu, but it can double as an entrée – it’s so filling. The coating – panko and coconut – enhances the flavor. Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that is crushed into large flakes which give the food a light, crunchy coating, almost like corn flakes. Z Café's coconut shrimp is not complete without the mango puree that tastes like it was flown in that day from Hawaii.

In addition to the new dinner menu, the café is now stocked with craft beer choices including Lagunitas Brewing Company, Bootlegger's Brewery, Prohibition, and more. (Happy Hour is from 3 to 6 p.m.) New beers are on the way.

Z Café has always been a bustling place and now it is even busier. "We want to make it fun for people," Toma noted. There are TVs at the bar and within viewing distance from some of the tables, so diners won’t miss a second of the games.

There is also an artistic side to this establishment as Z Café continues to rotate the works of local artists. Neill Ketchum, a talented artist herself, is the art coordinator at the restaurant. She has her finger on the pulse of the local art scene and never fails to provide outstanding displays.

What does the future hold for Z Café? Plans include an upgrade of the patio area with lighting, heaters, and fire-pits to make it more comfortable for evening dining. Look for sushi and accompanying sake choices as well.

Z Café’s food is not only delicious, but the prices will amaze you – especially when your server sets down the plate. You will find that the portions are hefty, but the prices are not.

Z Café is located in River Village at 5256 S. Mission Rd. in Bonsall. Contact them by telephone at (760) 940-1751 or visit http://www.zcafeinbonsall.com.