O Asia

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3 / 5
• Service: 3 / 5
• Decor: 3 / 5

-By Odette Mascarenhas

It is known as an open restaurant with a royal look. Situated adjacent to the lobby of O Hotel, this restaurant has no boundaries literally, and even as far as the Asian food is concerned. The ambience of black and orange hues, black planters and statues of Buddha around the place does add to the royal touch. Start with the Stir-Fried Chicken in Hoi Sin Sauce, a pungent, fragrant thick dark sauce in which chicken slices are tossed in fresh herbs and spring vegetables. Or perhaps the Larb Gai, a spicy, warm salad of ground chicken, with spring onion and fresh chillies. Asian Style Roast Lamb is a delight for the main course. Simmered for an hour in a pan with five spices and soy sauce, the succulent slices are served with thickened sauce. Mix that with steamed rice, and the juice from the succulent lamb is highlighted to perfection. So simple yet so sophisticated. The menu also lists a variety of noodles which can be had as a course in itself - the Thai-Style Cellophane Noodles, Bean Thread Crystal Noodles, or Chinese Vermicelli. The Cellophane noodles are tossed with dipping sauce, Chinese cabbage and pakchoy, and garnished with crushed peanut and lime. The Soba noodles, where the noodles are tossed with basil in dipping sauce, are served garnished with tempura vegetables. Or order the traditional Phad Thai. One needs no explanation for the flat rice noodles tossed in sweet and sour sauce. End with the Ice Cream Tempura, which is sure to keep your appetite soaring but with a cooling effect. It is after all the last part of the meal. An open-door invite for Asian food.