Yes, this is mmm-yoso!!! the food blog and really, Cathy isn't the only one who blogs here, it just seems that way. Kirk is on vacation. He will be back. ed(from Yuma) is decompressing and he will blog again also. Cathy is upping it a notch today, just to keep you interested.
So anyhow, I have blogged about quite a few places which have an eating area inside a store where you shop for food…Foodland, Wholesome Choice, Bristol Farms and Harvest Ranch Market are grocery stores with small, eat in areas. Other stores where you shop for items other than food, like The Bass Pro Shop, Ikea and Nordstrom also have very nice restaurants.
Possibly, like me, you haven't really shopped in this store.
It's right here in Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego, just across the door from Nordstrom at the North side of the mall. It's kind of fancy. OK-it's really high end. Don't be afraid. 
Walk in, take the escalator to the third floor. Admire the Art Installation of thousands of butterflies made of feathers, gold and silver paint and mirrors hanging from the roof to the main floor. There are other Neiman Marcus Collection paintings and sculptures sprinkled throughout the store. It's a kind of art gallery sprinkled among the various Departments. At the top of the escalator, walk straight ahead, a bit to your right. There is an open doorway, "Zodiac" is emblazoned above it. Step inside. You'll be greeted promptly. If you are carrying bags, you'll be asked if you'd like to check them. Then you'll be seated and handed your menu.
Almost immediately, an espresso size cup of perfect hot chicken consummè, sided by a fresh, small, soft cheese biscuit is placed before you. If you're female, the cloth napkin wrapping your silverware will be shaken open for you. Usually they try to match the color of the napkin with your clothing (dark or light).
You are at the Neiman Marcus restaurant. 
Another clue you are at Neiman Marcus: The man with the basket of still warm crispy flaky exterior, soft layered interior popovers (popovers!) and plate of strawberry butter stops at your table and places one on the plate which was on the table when you sat down. The butter is unsalted. The strawberry -with strawberry seeds- flavor is there, not too sweet, not overpowering. You know it is butter.
Your order is taken when you are ready. There is a wine list. There is champagne. There are bottled teas. 
There is hot tea, the flavor and leaves which you choose from a box filled with many types- displayed in sort of test tubes- and then the tea is prepared and brought out to you in a press pot. $4. You can have more water added if you wish. You can pretty much have anything the way you wish. Zodiac restaurant is service based, professional. 
Here is a surreptitious photo of The Mister's NM Cobb salad ($16). Mixed spring greens, chicken, avocado, blue cheese, red cabbage, egg, tomato served already mixed with a warm bacon dressing. It was fresh and good, but not extraordinary. He also ordered hot coffee ($3.50), refilled constantly. It was very fresh, good and served with real cream. Of course. 
The Sampler Plate ($12.50) half a chicken salad (or tuna salad or turkey) sandwich on your choice of bread, toasted or not, served with a cup of soup (either white bean or the soup of the day- in this case chili soup), kettle chips…
and a small ramekin of fruit (in this case, melon and pineapple and topped with a raspberry, blackberry and 1/4 of a strawberry). The sandwich- classic, simple chicken salad of fresh moist chicken breast and real mayonnaise, salt and white pepper. The bread is a hearty whole wheat with excellent flavor. The kettle chips are thick and crispy. The chili soup had ground beef, finely chopped onion and celery and small black beans, was soup and not chili, topped with cheddar cheese that was melty stringy in every spoonful. The fruit was amazingly flavored and ripe. Every piece.
This. The "heart couture" lemon shrimp salad. $17. Two hearts of Romaine, quinoa, Feta, asparagus and toasted almonds topped with a citrus vinaigrette, sided by two very flavorful tomatoes and accompanied by five large citrus marinated plump grilled flavorful shrimp. No way would you think it was only 460 calories. No way would you think it was part of a 'healthy' menu. If everything labeled as being healthy tasted like this, I'd eat this way all the time. Everything in this salad, including the quinoa, was wonderously flavored.
It is not inexpensive to eat here. The food and service are high quality. Your bill comes after you are finished eating. The infamous cookie is $2.50. I have not had one.
Neiman Marcus 7027 Friars Road San Diego 92108 (Fashion Valley Mall) (619)542-4450 Website-Zodiac menu near top right
