Friend of Graza: Helen Zhang
The founder and restauranteur behind Ziggy's Roman Cafe on running a restaurant while raising two boys, putting sweet and hot pickled jalapeños on everything, and her current hyper-fixation hobby.
Q: How would you describe yourself?
H: A Brooklyn mom trying to do all the things — run a restaurant while raising two wild boys and attempting to have some fun in between.
Q: Finish this sentence, cooking for me is…
H: Throwing together a mélange of tinned fish, greens, and some sort of bean salad to eat standing up hunched over my sink. Or on special occasions, making kimchi stew for my husband.
Q: How did the concept of Ziggy’s come to be? Take us through the ideation process:
H: After having kids, my husband and I lost the love of dining out we used to share when we both worked in hospitality. We found it hard to eat out at high quality restaurants with young kids because the vibes weren’t always welcoming, so we set out to change what a neighborhood restaurant could be. Our goal is to make Ziggy’s *the* local — a place you can take your family when you don’t feel like cooking, or where you celebrate a milestone with your friend group, or having a solo dinner at the bar or a pasta date night.
Q: What’s something we can always find in your kitchen?
H: The sweet and hot pickled jalapeños from Trader Joe’s. I put them on everything!
Q: Any words of wisdom, quotes, or mottos you live by?
H: Don’t open a restaurant no matter how much you think you want to. Unless you truly can’t stop thinking about it, in which case do it and buckle up!
Q: Can you take us through your perfect day in NY?
H: A long run through Brooklyn Bridge Park, a garlic bread bialy or something else savory from Elbow Bread, a physical or cultural activity with my children where they expend a lot of energy, a big group dinner with friends at a loud, fun restaurant with delicious and unfussy food (Fish Cheeks and Lilia are top of mind lately), a nightcap at Employees Only.
Q: Outside of your work, what are your favorite ways to recharge or find joy?
H: Give me three print magazines, a lounge chair and an iced coffee next to the pool. I’m also learning how to ski and have a hyperfixation!
Q: What’s something surprising people don’t know about you?
H: I lived in Singapore for four years and had both my kids there.
Q: Are you more of a Drizzler, Sizzler, or Frizzler?
H: Definitely a drizzler with a sprinkling of Maldon!
Q: What’s on the horizon for you?
H: Taking a weekend off for the first time since opening Ziggy’s and heading to Holbox next month!
