MessyCuisine

Lucky Buddha

Downtown Richmond has a new Asian-fusion cuisine restaurant, located in the former home of 1421, a very good Italian restaurant. 1421 on Cary Street did not last, and I wonder if the Buddha, too, will.

Among our favorite things were the $3/piece steamed buns; we sampled the vegetarian and the AsianBBQ Pork versions, which both came covered in a sweet and spicy sauce.

The fried spring roll with pork was less successful, it coming with a cilantro-vinegar sauce and the same red, sweet sauce.

For entrées we ordered the seafood stirfry with rice, and the sesame/beef noodle bowl. Both had merits, but were not overwhelmingly spectacular. The seafood dish was too plentiful (enough rice for 2 diners), and the beef dish, while good (I loved the mushroomy broth), it was ultimately a little disappointing… it was missing “something” that made it sing. I guess it was ultimately boring.

Too full for dessert, we left it at that. The Buddha’s atmosphere is interesting, and while service was good, it wasn’t stellar. A few waits intervened during the evening, when, for a Saturday, few patrons visited. Certain some flavor combinations and offerings may appeal to diners tired of simple Chinese food, but… improvements could be made with the layout of the restaurant (there’s a big, wide-open space near the kitchen entrance that makes you feel the place is empty), and the quality of presentation, and boldness of flavors.

Filed by MessyChef at September 2nd, 2007 under Asian, Restaurant Review