Located in the basement of Pacific Place next to the passage to the subway station, this Cantonese restaurant sees a fair share of traffic from patrons of the mall. Tables are arranged cosily in concentric circles. Partitioning between sections is done via hanging large beads from the ceiling, giving diners a partial view of other sections as well as the shopping mall.

Zen serves mostly Cantonese fare, with a few local specialities as well as other regional dishes. Classic premium ingredients such as abalone and bird’s nest feature prominently on the menu. Deep fried boneless chicken wing stuffed with glutinous rice (HK$52) comes with deliciously crunchy skin, fragrant stuffing that is a symphony of ingredients such as conpoy and mushroom, and leaves diners wanting more. Baked spare ribs with Zhenjiang vinegar (HK$115) is a crowd-pleaser, with a crunchy surface coated with a sweet and sour sauce made from the famous black vinegar. The ribs are just a little fatty, but the acidity of the sauce helps to balance out the dish. Deep-fried prawns with herbs are served with a generous helping of deep-fried garlic and chilli lending their flavours to the sweet prawns. The classical Cantonese fried rice noodles with scallops, shrimps and scrambled eggs (HK$138) is delicious with fresh and sweet scallops, and runny scrambled eggs coating the thick rice noodles.

The wine list is dominated by French reds - Bordeaux in particular – with a smattering of selections from other regions around the world. A wide price range ensures that consumers at all spending levels are able to find suitable choices.

The staff is friendly and efficient, although they are kept very busy with the constant stream of dishes coming from the kitchen and plate changes. As is typical of many Chinese restaurants, one may find several dishes being served at the same time, which may lead to food getting cold rather quickly.

A meal for two with two starters and four dishes without wine comes to around HK$800, which is a fair price to pay given the large amount of food.