{"id":395,"date":"2009-01-23T18:03:07","date_gmt":"2009-01-24T00:03:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hottie-biscotti.com\/blog\/?p=395"},"modified":"2009-01-23T18:03:07","modified_gmt":"2009-01-24T00:03:07","slug":"zen-721","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hottie-biscotti.com\/blog\/2009\/01\/23\/zen-721\/","title":{"rendered":"Zen 721"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"zen\"<\/p>\n

After a successful work day, Ben and I decided to celebrate with a dinner out. \u00a0There aren’t many options for “fine dining” here in Amarillo, but we’ve \u00a0located a few of the better, locally owned restaurants. \u00a0I feel a bit guilty about already having dined at 2 of the nicer establishments. \u00a0Maybe we should have waited for an especially special occassion for a fancy dinner? \u00a0 We should know where to take and where NOT to take guests. \u00a0Afterall, I have to get people to visit Amarillo a second time. \u00a0Second rate dinner doesn’t help to ensure second visits! \u00a0Therefore, I will make the excuse that I’m doing this for others, and a little bit for me. \u00a0Ok, so anyway…dinner.<\/p>\n

Downtown Amarillo reminds me of downtown Waco. \u00a0It’s growing, and it has a lot of potential. \u00a0The older buildings are neat so I hope that more businesses decide to open there. \u00a0Zen 721<\/a> is downtown on “the strip” as one local put it. \u00a0It is an Asian inspired restaurant. \u00a0They serve sushi, but we didn’t try any tonight. \u00a0<\/p>\n

We ordered the Rock Shrimp Tempura as an appetizer. \u00a0It was an impressive dish. \u00a0Not minimal in presentation. \u00a0I wish I’d taken a picture! \u00a0It looked like a fancy plate of chili cheese fries, but it tasted much better. \u00a0Tempura shrimp and green beans over a bed of spring mix drizzled with a spicy unidentifiable sauce, grated carrots garnished the top. \u00a0I first thought the carrots to be grated cheddar cheese, which made the cheese fry comparison even more convincing. \u00a0Thankfully, it was not cheese. \u00a0The tempura batter was crispy and the ratio of batter to shrimp and to green bean was nice. \u00a0Yummy and enough for 4…at least.<\/p>\n

Ben ordered the pepper seared strip steak served with broccoli, sauteed mushrooms and scallions. \u00a0Served rare just like he’d asked, the steak was fanned beautifully on the plate and it was good. \u00a0The pepper was a strong and identifiable flavor, but not overpowering. \u00a0The vegetables were also nice, and didn’t seem to be drowned in butter, oil or sauce. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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I had the mahi mahi special; a seared mahi filet served a top mint Israeli cous cous and sauteed asparagus. \u00a0The menu claimed that this dish was drizzled with a coconut vanilla sauce, which intrigued me. \u00a0I could not taste either ingredient in the sauce, but the dish was delicious nonetheless.<\/p>\n

\"mahi\"<\/p>\n

The restuarant is long and narrow with tall ceilings. \u00a0There is a bar that seats maybe 15 people with a few tall tables near the front. \u00a0The dining area has roughly 10 tables, some seat 4 and others 2. \u00a0There is also a curtained off room near the back which is lounge-like containing a small red sofa and a round 8 top. \u00a0Nice for a private little evening with a group of friends. \u00a0The bar and dining area are separated by a tall screen wall making the dining room seem more intimate. \u00a0The decor and lighting is simple. \u00a0Nothing to distract from your meal or your company. \u00a0On a thursday night at 8 the place was almost full. \u00a0There was a table near us that was empty, but other than that it was well attended. \u00a0We did not have to wait for a table, so that was refreshing.<\/p>\n

The CZ Rating is as follows, on a scale of 1-10-<\/p>\n

Ambiance: 8<\/p>\n

Food: 7<\/p>\n

Service: 8<\/p>\n