Zen Room
Calm vibes and excellent food
We went to Zen Room with high expectations. After all, the same people who have opened up Zen Room own Chesters, a well-established pub with great food and service. In fact, Zen Room is right next door to Chesters, with decent parking.
So, we decided to go on a Monday, a night guaranteed to be quiet and therefore offer good service. Upon arrival, the restaurant is impressive: there are huge windows, angled outward and neon lighting that subtly changes colour every few seconds. I was quite surprised to discover that the restaurant was fully booked despite it being nearly nine and only a few tables filled. Our original table was sandwiched between two smoking tables, and I requested a change, which was immediately accommodated. I needn’t have worried though, because the powerful ventilation system literally sucks the smoke upwards (you can see it!). Though eventually surrounded by smokers (my husband included), I didn’t get a single whiff of anything – even the cigars.
Our menus arrived – an eclectic selection of Japanese and Thai specialities. The price and range of wine was quite reasonable. The d?cor was, as the name implies, very zen – calm and simple, a concept originating from the Buddhist religion – single beautiful stems of orchids in vases set into the walls, smooth-finished dark tables and stylish chairs, and the same neon lighting from outside lining the ceiling. Barstools line the perimeters of an open kitchen where five chefs deftly display their culinary talents.
Having long overcome my initial reaction to eating Japanese food (ugh, raw fish!), we opted for a “sushi set” comprising salmon, tuna, seabass and prawn, and “spicy shake maki” with salmon, followed by the “Zen Room Dining” menu, which included a selection of different items in the one price: a miso soup (tofu, seaweed, spring onion, and soya bean), starter (unnamed but which turned out to be deep-fried eggplant), salad (not particularly Japanese but with a delicious dressing), a combination of meats and seafood cooked teppanyaki style (lightly seared on a hot plate), and special fried rice.
Our sushi, together with wasabi and soy sauce, was beautifully presented, and took only about five minutes to arrive. Delicious! We demolished that and before we knew it, our miso soup had arrived. At the same time, more tables had filled up, the “conversational buzz” was getting a little louder, though not annoyingly so, and the whole vibe was definitely something akin to being in the middle of London rather than Limassol!
On to our main… between us we had ordered fillet mignon, and chicken and prawns teppanyaki and it was one of the most divine gourmet experiences I have ever had! The meat was tender and the vegetables lovely and crisp.
Too full to venture to dessert (though the sago with lychees looked intriguing and the banana tempura with chocolate coconut sauce delicious) or tea and coffee, we headed off home, licking our lips and determined to return to try the delectable items on the Thai section of the menu another time soon. Given the extensive menu selection, I would definitely advise checking it out beforehand on their website!
My only grumble was the paper napkins… but I suppose hygienically-speaking, they are better.
VITAL STATISTICS
SPECIALITY Sushi, Teppanyaki, and Thai Bar
WHERE 194 Amathus Avenue (next door to Chesters) Limassol
CONTACT Tel: 25812659 (Open 12pm-12am every day)
BOOKING Essential for evening
PRICE £30 to £35 per head with wine
