In 1990, three energetic and creative
chefs, Hans Limburg, Gary Darling and Greg Reggio, joined
together to form an experienced culinary and restaurant
development team.
The company's mission was clear: To develop and operate
unique restaurant concepts and to provide a wide array
of consulting services to the industry.
This
trio of friends and seasoned restaurant professionals named
their partnership Taste Buds, Incorporated.
One of their first conceptions, Semolina, is a casual contemporary
restaurant devoted to the wonderful world of pasta. The
first location in Covington, Louisiana opened in August
1991.
Semolina received national recognition from the respected
industry publication Restaurants and Institutions and was
named “Hot concept” in a special report by Nation’s
Restaurant News. The Louisiana Restaurant Association named
Taste Buds - Restauranteurs of the Year in 1994.
The Taste Buds created Zea in 1997 with their first location
in Harahan, Louisiana. It immediately gained popularity
within the community and acclaim from restaurant associations.
From their award winning recipes and “Best New Restaurant”
awards from Gambit Magazine Readers Poll and New Orleans
Magazine, the Taste Buds had another hit on their hands.
There are currently four locations in the New Orleans area.
Zea Rotisserie & Grill also has locations in Lafayette,
Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama with franchise locations in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pensacola, Florida and Plano, Texas.
ZEA
AWARDS
2007 Zea - Best Business Lunch - 16th Annual Best of the Bay – Mobile Bay Monthly January 2007 Issue Zea – Best Casual Dining Restaurant - New Orleans Magazine – January 2007 Ultimate New Orleans Reader’s Choice Awards
2007 Time of Acadiana "Best of" Readers Poll Results:
1st Place:
Best Red Beans and Rice
Best Restaurant
Best Service in a Restaurant
Best Martini
2nd Place:
Best Take out
3rd Place:
Best Dessert
Times of Acadiana "Best of" June 2006
1st Place:
BEST RESTAURANT
Best Dessert
2nd Place:
Best Place for Lunch
Best Service in a Restaurant
Best Salad
3rd Place:
Best Place for a Romantic Date
Best Take out
Best Martini
Times of Acadiana 2005
2nd Best Restaurant
2nd Best Martini Menu
2nd Best Date Restaurant
3rd Best Dessert Menu
Best Chain Restaurant
2004
2nd Best Restaurant - Times of Acadiana 2004
2nd Best local beer in New Orleans - Gambit 2004
Best New Restaurant - Lagniappe Mobile 2004
Best Restaurant- WhereY’at Magazine New Orleans 2004
2003
2nd Best Restaurant – Times of Acadiana 2003
Best Date Restaurant - Times of Acadiana 2003
Restaurateurs of the Year - Louisiana Restaurant Association, Greater New Orleans Chapter-2003
2002
2nd Best Restaurant – Times of Acadiana 2002
2001
Best New Restaurant - Times of Acadiana 2001
2000
Best New Restaurant - New Orleans Magazine 2000
1999
3rd Best Place for Salads - Gambit 1999
Best New Restaurant - Gambit Magazine Readers Poll 1999
2nd Best Date Restaurant - Gambit Readers Poll 1999
Zea does not take dining reservations
online -- for group requests or questions, please email us at
