Red Zen

Critic´s Review

• Food: 3.5 / 5
• Service: 3.5 / 5
• Decor: 3.5 / 5

-By Rashmi Uday Singh

Red Zen sure does live up to its name! With soft red lighting, red clay plates, red laquer finishing, offset by wooden flooring and a peaceful, zen-like ambience, it is a tranquil red oasis in the midst of dusty, traffic-choked Andheri Kurla. A live interactive kitchen, a well-stocked bar and a circular glassed-in area completes the look. It is part of the international Courtyard by Marriott chain; and while this restaurant serves both Chinese and Thai cuisine, it is definitely the Chinese that comes out tops. A fluffy and dense Pork Bun, well-made Wonton Soup, Popia Phak (deep fried vegetable spring rolls served with sweet chilli sauce) and flavoursome Kung Pao Chicken are all worth ordering. There is plenty of dim sum variety too. Mint Chicken Rice and Hot Basil Chicken are the specialities here. Pad Thai and Lamb Chops as well as Steaks are extremely popular. Rendung is served in an off-the-mark rendition, but still surprises with its tastiness, as does the Thai Porpia Spring Roll with its crunchy fillings. Thai Massaman Curry, Choo Chi Salmon (pan-grill salmon steak with creamy red curry sauce served with curry fried rice), Nor mai farang phad goong (stirred-fried asparagus with prawn) are recent introductions. An oversalted Green Thai Curry, swimming with overcooked prawns and the overloaded-with-coconut Tim Tom Krob can be safely skipped. A wide variety of beverages to go with your food are available too. Martinis (Appletini is my favourite) are very considerately served on ice here. A Bento Box (Set Meal) that covers soup through dessert is available throughout the week for lunch only (Rs. 550+taxes). Three more options in the Set Meals, serving starters, soups, main course and desserts are available for Rs. 750+, Rs. 999+ and Rs. 1,299+. The last one is a Seafood Set Meal, while the only difference between the first two is the number of starter and main courses served.