There’s nothing else like it in Southwest Florida and, as of Wednesday, it’s now open for lunch as well as dinner every day. Nonetheless, the food and service at Zen are so good that I’m liable to brave the throngs again to further explore the menu. I don’t mind background noise, but I also don’t want to have to shout to talk to someone who is sitting three feet away.) (That seems to be a trend these days, with restaurateurs believing customers find it exciting to be where the action is. From our décor to our wait staff and cuisine, Zen allows for a totally immersive dining experience. Owing to the plethora of hard surfaces, the noise level was high, too, making conversation with my tablemate somewhat challenging. Its also art that can be experienced by all five senses.
We visited on a Saturday night and, not surprisingly, the place was packed. Those around us who were doing so, however, were clearly enjoying themselves. None of the Korean grill tables were available, so we weren’t able to try the dishes that involve cooking them yourself. Even my sake - Mizbasho Ginjo ($16.95) - got the royal treatment, arriving in a little wooden box filled with crushed ice and with two sake glasses tucked into the ice for proper chilling. It was served with the kind of fruity tapioca balls that typically come in boba tea, which added color and a sweet counterpoint to the cake.Īttention to detail is evident in everything that’s done here.
I can’t imagine how long it took to create this cake, but it was just sweet enough, had an interesting chewy consistency and a delicate green tea flavor. Soul-soothing and satisfying, it was enough for two meals.ĭesserts are made in-house, too, including the Green Tea Crepe Cake ($6), a fascinating concoction consisting of about a dozen whisper-thin crepes, between which were equally thin layers of cream with a dusting of green tea powder on top. It starts with broth simmered for 17 hours, which is then filled with housemade noodles, calamari, shrimp, mussels, crab leg, corn, bean sprouts, scallions and a soft-boiled egg. This is real ramen, an exquisitely rich soup-that’s-ameal.
#ZENS ASIAN GRILL FULL#
If you are picturing the packages full of cellophane noodles and artificial ingredients onto which you dump boiling water, banish the thought. I ordered Koko’s Hokkaido Ramen ($14.95).
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