Zen 721

[hoparillo]

Until recently, I've never had the opportunity to dine at Zen 721 downtown. The lunch menu prices were very reasonable and the portions generous. The food was spectacular! The service sucked. Even so, I'll be back. Even when I heated up the leftovers, still yummy!

[mustakister]

ya, that's my complaint there. food good, service so-so. and at night the prices are to the point where you expect a little better service.

Plus, what's up with the crappy stained / dirty menus? talk about a bad first impression.

[petiepanzer]

You guys should bring that point up with Brian. I'm sure he will do something about it if you do. I've never had bad service there, but I usually hang out at the bar and drink wine. Also, the owner is one of my old friends.

[mustakister]

In all fairness, I haven't been there in several months, but I have eaten there about 5-6 times over the past couple of years I guess. (all dinner time) My only negative observation was that the service was not any better than what you get at Chili's but the prices are twice as high. Some of that is offset by food quality for sure. But, as I've said on other forums here, I am sympathetic to any restaurateur who tries to staff up a higher-end joint here in A-town.

After living in a larger city for a long time and coming back to Amarillo, I'm really glad that we have some restaurants like OHMS, zen, BL, etc. I'll continue to support them as much as I can.

[petiepanzer]

I think you have to choose your battles in a town like Amarillo. It is never going to have the dining experience one would expect from a larger town. I think it is pretty slim pickings here for service employees and I can't imagine somebody could expect to live too far above the poverty level by waiting tables or tending bar in a place like Amarillo. I think the people that are good usually move to a town where they can make more money or they make a decision to get an education so they don't have to work jobs like that.