ZEN, 42 HIGH STREET, SOUTHAMPTON.
We were invited to the opening of this stylish restaurant opposite Holyrood Church in downtown Southampton. The first Japanese restaurant to open in the city, Zens is a stylish addition to the town centres eateries. A host of geisha girls were on hand to welcome us, serving up some soy beans on arrival. The idea was to pop the beans directly from the shell into one’s mouth. Our party soon got the hang of this, even though I must admit a shot a few under adjacent tables with my first few attempts.
Then came a helping of some crispy things made from yams and lotus root, which was a new and appetising taste experience for me. Next up came some oysters which I declined, though the rest of our party seemed to relish theirs.
Some pieces of Sushi was next on the menu - Nigri, which is fresh fish and vegetables enclosed in a seaweed sheet then rolled into shape, and Maki, which is a roll clad in seaweed with various fillings including salmon, tuna and prawn sitting in the middle, surrounded by rice. I’ve never been quite sure whether I actually like sushi, but I think I’m sold now - the combination of different tastes and textures was quite refreshing.
One of the pleasures of the evening was finding out what was to come next. The attractive geisha girls circulated amongs the guests with trays of various goodies throughout the evening. I particularly enjoyed the Tempura, king prawns and vegetables deep fried in a light batter and served with a Dashi dipping sauce, and was even more enthusiastic about the sirloin steak skewers - steak char-grilled and marinated in delicious Yakitori sauce, and the chicken skewers with Yung leek were almost as good.
All of our party were agreed that Zens would definitely go on our list of favourite places to eat in Southampton. We just had a taste of dozens of items on the menu, a look at which revealed a huge range of dishes, whether you wanted just a light snack or wanted to go the whole hog with a full meal. An enticing list of Zen specials included Crispy Fried Dover Sole served with sweet spicy sauce and red chilli at £17.95 and Seared Beef Fillet pan fried with sweet Ponzu sauce at the same price. But you might prefer to pop in for the Sushi Combination of ten pieces at £8.80 or the Tiger Prawn Skewers at just £3.80.
Whatever your tastes, you’ll find something mouth-watering at Zens. And you will also receive a very warm welcome in luxurious and tasteful surroundings.
I’ll certainly be going back there again - I fancy the Set Lunches of which there are 9 ranging between £7.50 and £11.50. And if a special occasion warrants it (a lottery win or a birthday) I might just treat myself and my wife to one of the two Main Dining specials consisting of three courses for £22 or £28.
For bookings ring 02380 233399 - you can have a look at the menu first on Zens tantalising website www.zensouthampton.com 
 

AMPFIELD
The Potters Heron, Winchester Road, Romsey - 02380 266611