3 minute read
A MILLION DOLLAR VIEW
Zee’s Rooftop Cafe Is More Than Meets the Eye
By Kyley Jolna
Zee’s Rooftop Cafe, which sits atop CW Penthouse, is a popular courthouse lunch spot. Though it isn’t on everybody’s radar yet, people have been gathering here for all of life’s celebrations over the last decade. Eight stories above Boise’s bustling city, the space has urban vibes and a relaxed feel.
Christopher and Christina Zahn—the married duo behind Zee’s—have roots within the mountain states and watched this city grow around them.
“We’ve been here before all these buildings were even built,” explained Christina, looking out over the rooftop, gesturing from the capitol and courthouse buildings along the skyline. “We opened before Zions Bank, Trader Joe’s, JUMP (Jack’s Urban Meeting Place)—that’s just the progress of this beautiful city—we are [all] growing and moving forward,” she said.
A BSU graduate, Chef Christopher Zahn (Chef Zee) began working within the hotel industry in 1992 after his passion for food and food photography developed as a child. He worked at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort in Montana until he was recruited to cook for the private member Arid Club in downtown Boise.
Chef Zee’s interest in healthy eating originated from Christina’s food allergies and grew larger the last few years while doing meal prep for the local community. He formed his own spice line (Chef Zee’s Spice Blends) to use with client’s dietary needs for clean, safe cooking. There is a dedicated space within the kitchen for gluten products, and the rest is all gluten-free.
“We make everything so we know it’s not going to hurt anybody,” he said.
Although he claims that he doesn’t have a favorite dish, Chef Zee’s favorite food to make is soup—specifically the Italian Wedding Soup that is rotated in for lunch at the café.
With weekly visits to the local farmer’s market downtown, Chef Zee has cultivated relationships with many of the vendors, including Next Generation Organics, Purple Sage, Rice Family Farms, Ballard Farms Cheese, and Powder House Gluten Free Baking Goods. The pair noted that they “had more farmers from the markets at [their] wedding than family from out of town!”
Primarily, the lunch rush consists of employees from the courthouse and law students from Boise State, so there is an attempt to keep the salads and sandwiches simple, using Parker House bread. A popular beef gyro is made with Chef Zee’s own espresso seasoning on slow roasted tri-tip with a homemade tzatziki sauce. For vegetarians, there is an avocado toast topped with local Farmers Microgreens and an option for egg.
Notably, the Zahns’ charity work is as impressive as their event space. In 2011, they founded Corks 4 A Cure, a nonprofit focused on Multiple Sclerosis. Recently, they celebrated the 16th annual “Put A Cork In It” event. This year, they’ve raised over $70K. Chef Zee has also partnered with the Idaho Food Bank, which empowers low income families to create healthy meals on a budget.
This spring, Chef Zee received a CEO of Influence award and the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Boise Alumnae Association Entrepreneur of the Year award.
Look for Chef Zee at a charity crab boil with local seafood vendor Reel Foods Fish Market, along with numerous chefs and live music.
Check out Zee’s website for events and booking! https://www. zeechristopher.com/
