Located at 16 Inverness Street, Camden and is a hop, skip and a jump away from the Tube Station. The premises are flush and in line with the other shops from the outside, but a Buddha adorned interior in the form of pictures and the statues placed liberally around ledges and out of reach for the public.

Frost had been invited to the relaunch and the invite said, “Press food and cocktails review night”, so I was looking forward to the acclaimed Malaysian style food with “Bespoke” cocktails.

Zen Sai boasts delights such as, “Beef Rendang” A celebrated dish that dates back to the 16th century with diced flank steak, slowly cooked in a blend of fresh spices and coconut milk. “Chicken Dansak” A Persian delicacy adopted by Malaysians, chicken on the bone is cooked with lentils, green chillies, mangosteen and tamarind. “Spicy Whole Seabass” A succulent Seabass infused and cooked with lime, chilli, garlic and ginger.

However, there were the cocktails to try first and there is no denying that the blends and range of flavours in cocktails tried were exceptional. I had 2 and felt the effects of those alone, so the mix and measure is great. Between drinks and conversation we were treated to some finger food and Malaysian in style with Satay Chicken and Salt Chilli Chicken Wings. Some Pav Bhaji and Pakora…  it was making the right moves and waves for people to be just ready for the main event…

Now, if you have not guessed already, I waited for about an hour and the words, “restaurant closed for the evening” were heard a couple of times, which changed the mood and the demeanour of those supposed to be writing a review. So how can we write a food review?

The problem with asking the press to come and review a location, is to make an impression that can be relayed to the public, so when the event is either under par, or has short comings, it doesn’t look good and some journalists are brutal!

I don’t think Zen Sai is a bad place and their hospitality was warm and welcoming, however, I feel that maybe their relaunch will need another relaunch. It is not because of the lack of food, but because you can’t review what you don’t have. It is a bar and dining experience without the dining! If the finger food is all that was on offer then the turn out may not have been so generous and the venue could have just labelled it a cocktail night. Because that can be reviewed and positively so! I don’t think that the  “Food & Cocktails Review” night was living up to the hype and that can actually hinder what is seemingly a good location and experience, but I can only speak for half of it, because that was all I got!

Ironically, I didn’t think that I would be going home to cook my own food for my evening meal, as I was reviewing (or supposed to be) a “Food & Cocktail” event, with little on the food.

Do I think they got it wrong? Absolutely! It means that all their feedback will be as underwhelming as the meal! I can only come to the conclusion that it either wasn’t properly thought through, or their expectations were juxtaposed to mine.

So my review is, if you’re in Camden then go to Zen Sai for some fantastic cocktails and if you get served food there then please write and let me know what it is like, because I have only an email letting me know what they serve and I can only guess what it tastes like…