The Bottom Line
It used to serve delicious, well-seasoned East Asian vegetarian cooking. The atmosphere is a bit too much, but the excellent vegetarian food and service more than compensates.
Pros
- Beautiful presentation
- Excellent service
- Pure vegetarian cooking
Cons
- Atmosphere is too bright, too "soothing"
Description
- Address: 251-15 Northern Blvd., Little Neck, Queens. Located just off the Little Neck Parkway.
- Phone: (718) 281-1500. Fax (718) 281-9695.
- Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
- Parking in the rear of the building.
- Accepts take-out orders.
- Fresh juices and boba or bubble (tapioca) milk teas available.
- Lunch is a better value than dinner.
- Specializes in vegetarian "fake" meat and fish cuisine.
- Certified kosher.
Guide Review - Restaurant Review: Zen Pavilion - CLOSED
Have no fear of bland veggies at this pure vegetarian restaurant. The Chinese and other East Asian dishes offered are deliciously spiced and substantial. The menu offers many classic dishes found in typical take-out joints, though without meat or fish. There are "meat" and "fish" dishes on the menu, and though they look and taste like the real McCoy, they are crafted entirely of soybean, wheat gluten, and vegetables (Buddhist temple cuisine). Try Vegetable Bundles ($13): vegetables and mushrooms wrapped in thin soy crepes with a tasty sauce. I am a fan of bean curd (tofu), and the Bean Curd Home-style ($8) is one of the best in Queens. Although the chandeliers are too bright and the music too "soothing," the food is too good to dismiss.
