"Popped into Zhu Vegan after a day outdoors at the Fells Reservation. Tucked away on Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, this quiet spot proved a comfortable and inviting hangout. Overall: 4/5 Food: 3.5/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 We started with their Autumn Rolls $9). They're full of mixed veggies, enoki mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, wrapped in soybean sheets and deep fried. Add a splash of the hot sauce they serve on the side, and you've got yourself a nice start. We also tried their Seitan Strips $17); it looks like a vegan version of Cantonese BBQ pork served on long string beans. The portion was generous, but the flavor could be better, more complex. The Soy Cutlet Sizzling Platter $17) was a visual and audible treat, still didn't quite hit the mark taste wise the sauce was alright the cutlet is somewhat flat in taste. I also ordered the Mimosa the sparkling wine tasted a bit stale. Our experience with the service was good, and the vibe is laid back and welcoming. Plus, the place was clean and well kept. Areas of Improvement: 1) Zhu Vegan has a lot of potential for growth, especially in their food. The world of vegan cuisine is vast and varied. They could draw inspiration from the rich traditions of East Asian vegan dishes to push the envelope a bit more. They could experiment with the Seitan Strips maybe serve them in a vegan wonton noodle soup or as filling for steamed bao sliders. 2) As for the Soy Cutlet, making the breading thinner and less oily could really amp up this dish. 3) And as for the Mimosa, using fresher sparkling wine would certainly lift the drink. And who knows, with more patrons and support, Zhu Vegan might have more chances to improve, reimagine and expand their menu. We're looking forward to seeing what they come up with next."
