Zen Forrest

I have been eating here for almost 10 years and never have been dissapointed. The menu however limited is sure to please and the quality is A+. Expect to pay a few $ extra for the food.. This isnt the local strip mall chinese food.. more

We travel often and have been excited by many different and excellent places along the way but we always make our way back to Zen Forrest..when ever we are in the Tampa area and even if it means an extra hour or so drive out of our way we always stop at Zen Forrest. The dinners that we have had there are as close to perfect as one can get. The restaurant itself is relaxing and inviting and the staff are exceptional. The price compared to other area restaurants is reasonable especially when you consider the unique, and amazingly wonderful dishes that you get. We have never had a dish tat Zen Forrest that we did not fully enjoy and delight in. We tell all our friends traveling in the area that Zen Forrest is ""a must stop"" ... from what we have heard form many of them none were ever dissappoint and all will return again and again as we have. Pros: Just the best food anywhere Cons: busy but well worth the wait more

Save your coin and time. Go to the dime a dozen chinese restaurants. This place claims to be something different but the generals chicken is very bland and boring. The fried rice tasted weeks old and it too was bland, absolutely nothing in it. Not really sure what the Spring rolls or Egs rolls are, but they are gross and the dipping sauce for them is all horseradish, someone needs to check the chefs credentials at this place. If you are going to make the claims this place does and charge the prices this place does, then at least have DECENT FOOD!! Cons: Bad food, staff is not reliable, high price for low value more

Went to Zen Forest with friends. There were 6 in our party, so we tried different things. It was our first visit. Never knew what we had been missing. Everything was absolutely delicious! Appetizers: Spring rolls are not your typical rolls, but awesome. We also had the appetizer stickers, and they were good. The Bul Go Gi is to die for. I was a little afraid to order it even though it had good reviews, boy was I glad I got it. There was the coconut curry, Yummy, the shrimp with noodles, can't remember the name because someone else ordered it, delish too. A special of a filet mignon dish, great, and the shrimp in lobster sauce was not our favorite but still good. You can spice up your food if you want to. We wil definately be going back. The atmosphere is clean and calm, Michael, our server, was excellent. Having this place in New Port Richey is unbelieveable. Why it took us so long to find this place is beyond me. You have to go. Dinners avage $15 a person so be prepared. No kids menu. If you have kids who eat almost anything then you'd be find. Pros: Everything Cons: Not a con for me, but could be for someone else, not a place for small kids. more

My friends and I eat at Zen Forrest regularly. We are always very happy with our food, the portions, content, ambience, and staff. The tofu-based chocolate mousse is to die for! I've tried something different every time and I'm not even on my second run through the menu because Victor often adds something interesting and/or has some really wonderful specials of the day. While it is Asian-inspired food, I think it would appeal to most everyone including the pickiest of eaters. It's certainly worth a try. You won't be disappointed! Pros: Everything Cons: Wish they would expand to an even larger location. more

Every time we have been to Zen Forest we have not been disappointed. The food is excellent, flavors just mixed perfectly. Service is ok, atmosphere is ok,,, but the food!!! Ahhhhh....try the chicken rice soup with Cilantro. It's a meal in itself. Pros: Best Asian food more

Victor is the best chef around. Food is fabulous and atmosphere is charming and very Zen.\r The Shrimp with Lobster Sauce is my husband's favorite while I favor the Mahi Mahi in Thai Chili Sauce. Tonight Victor added Asian Eggplant to the Mahi Mahi dish and it was wonderful. My favorite appetizer is Kim Chi while my husband favors the Spring Rolls. We always look forward to Nigori Unfiltered Sake. Dont miss this place. Pros: Friday and Saturday nights can get full so be sure to make a reservation. more

As a regular patron since it opened, I can highly recommend this restaurant. Victor is a very creative cook. They offer special dinners throughout the year. The next one is for Valentine's Day. We have never been disappointed. Ask to be put on their email list to keep up on their specials. Their menu is quite diverse as you can see from their website. They have expanded so there are more tables. Jazz music plays in the background. A review from a local paper can be seen at the Tampa Tribune website. Pros: food and atmosphere more

Zen Forrest is great... most of the time. I've been to the Forrest regularly, and have had only two bad experiences. I must say that the food and atmosphere are great. Great flavor to the food, there is nothing like it in the world. Try every dish on the menu once, you wont be disapointed. The service is usually very superb except for one time when a male server treated my party very rudely. He claimed to be a manager but his actions spoke otherwise. Other then that the rest of Victor's staff are pleasant and customer service oriented. Pros: Great food, beverages, appetizers Cons: rude male server, no children's menu more

Went there not knowing what to expect, I'm sort of a picky eater, but this place is great!! We drove from San Antonio(Florida), so it was a ways, but it was worth it. I'm so tired of the crowded same ole places in Tampa and Dade City is limited on good places to eat. The service was good, I was amazed at all the flavor the food had. I had their chicken rice soup and it was sooo good, plus the dinners are big and oh so tasty. We even took food home, the fried rice was good, it was a delightful evening with my husband. The only thing negative I would have to say is the chairs, they were not my favorite, but ok. It's a nice quaint place, great food, good service and they could probably make a fortune if they moved up to New Tampa area! more

Refreshing, delightful, original, beautiful, oohs & ahhs. Words we used repeatedly to describe our experience at Zen Forrest that night at our table of 6. Some of what we had were; The creamy avacado and tuna tartar were delicious with the wanton crisps. We also had mussels in Holy basil sauce, like nothing I ever had. The lobster wanton ravioli with ginger roasted red pepper cream sauce, outstanding! Then there was, My goodness, the 5 spice marinated duck and asian eggplant chutney with roasted chestnut puree, absolutely fabulous. It was our 3rd time back and the chef has out done himself everytime. We thought it was time someone wrote someting about Zen Forrest, a little research turned up several local reviews on the place. All were right on, a great restaurant, superb execution and presentation, just outstanding! Pros: original menu, great prices, nice wines more

I can't believe this place is hidden in New Port Richey, I am in awe about the food they serve there, my freind started with blue crab summer rolls /w a mango salsa, while I had a yummy & uniqe chicken rice soup. They make an unbelievable house dressing( chef said it was a Vietnamese style dressing) then we had the sushi samba special, and delisious asian stuffed eggplant, with a sweet caramelized carrot sauce, beautiful! Everything was great, my sake-tini, was very nice, and dessert of guava cheese cake & banana sorbet was totaly satisfying, and not too sweet. Pros: inexpensive, good service, nice decor Cons: crowded more

Upon returning to Zen Forrest after spending many months away overseas. I am extremely pleased to see their expansion and improvements. I found:\r \r The food, wel it can't get much better. \r The servers are friendly and gracious.\r A great wine list that has actually had thought put into it. I'm not much of a beer drinker but my buddies love the beer selection.\r Overall I am very happy with this restaurant. Zen Forrest has great food, drink, ambience and staff. Pros: great specials, excellent wines selection, excellent atmosphere Cons: hidden location more