Though it has been 10 years since Gourmet Magazine named Zibibbo among the nation’s top restaurants, the Palo Alto eatery maintains its reputation with great ambience, civility and delicious food. Despite its humble exterior, Zibbibo boasts a roomy interior — spanning an entire block — with a multitude of seating arrangements to suit your dining needs: two indoor patios, two bars, a mezzanine and several private rooms. Before the size scares you, know that even with the gargantuan space, Zibibbo staff make sure your dining experience is private, intimate and tasteful.

Formerly a Barbie Museum, the restaurant’s Kingsley Street location is convenient for students and staff looking for an elegant night off campus. Zibibbo is a part of Restaurant LuLu, a local string of fine dining establishments located in East Palo Alto, Mammoth and San Francisco started by LuLu, a former seamstress who worked her way up to be a restaurateur and fabricated and designed much of the furniture used in her eateries.

The menu at Zibibbo has class written all over it. In addition to the food options, Zibibbo has an entire cheese menu, wine book and cocktail book. It even offers some foods that you may not have tried, such as rabbit or the “Devils of the Deep,” a dish with spicy octopus and calamari. Whatever you order, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the speed and presentation of each of the plates. Nearly everything on the menu, including the bread, is made from scratch in house.

The food at Zibibbo is delicious, period. Your meal starts with an appetizer plate: Order the three-item sampler with prosciutto with melon, cod croquette and a third dish to your taste. Next comes a small Mediterranean plate. As a pan-Mediterranean restaurant, these dishes are key. The Moroccan prawns do not disappoint and rate among the best shellfish I’ve ever tasted. The entrée menu offers many enticing options: the special of the day, a rotating selection of fine dishes, a pasta, pizza, risotto or something from the grill. Know that you can’t really go wrong, but note that some dishes, as indicated in the menu, can take as long as 45 minutes to prepare. Highly recommended is the succulent pork loin with pomegranate-molasses sauce, served with olive oil mashed potatoes.

The wait staff is excellent. Though diners may be familiar with run-of-the mill Italian or Mediterranean fare, the maitre d’ will willingly helping customers navigate through their specific culinary options. One of the managers, Anthony Phillips, is particularly attentive and helpful in resolving any questions you might have. The waiters are prompt, happy and courteous — and you’ll be amazed at the alacrity of the food.

Zibibbo is a fine dining experience and as such can be a little outside both the atmosphere and pocketbook of the average college student. However, if your parents are in town, you’re throwing a lavish event or you need a great place to take that special someone, consider Zibibbo with its multitude of private spaces, large alcohol selection and delicious cuisine.

Zibibbo is located at 430 Kipling Street in downtown Palo Alto. Reservations are recommended, call (650) 328-6722 or go online at www.zibibboresaurant.com to make one.