Review: Swindon bar and restaurant Kenzo 72

The Swindon Link team dined at the Old Town hotspot Kenzo 72 for their team meeting this month.

For lunch, the staff from Swindon Link took a stroll down to Kenzo 72, which can be located within Godwin Court in Old Town. 

The restaurant is an Asian fusion establishment, with a contemporary kitchen and bar. The menu carries everything from chinese takeaway favourites and global tapas, to American steaks. Additionally, those who are partial to a cocktail or two, will also find their boozy cravings met. 

Customers can enjoy their Kenzo 72 meals and drinks in the restaurant itself, or can order takeaway or delivery dishes. 

The Swindon Link group were provided with a cozy corner table, with booth seating and some accompanying chairs. The ambient lighting and mood music helped to create a calming environment, and the sleek, minimal, and stylish Asian-inspired decor brings the menu's theme through into the dining area.

Kenzo 72 use transparent Asian-style screening to seperate the restaurant and create a more intimate dining experience, without making the space feel cramped, or blocking the light that filters in from the front windows. 

The majority of the meals ordered by the Swindon Link team were part of the restaurant's lunch time menu. This select menu means customers can choose any dish listed for £12.70, and also get a free soft drink included. 

There are also options for children on the lunch menu. 

The Pad Thai Chicken was described as follows: "The chicken was generously flavoured and tender. The vegetables were tasty, and I would give the noodles a seven out of ten."

Another member of the Swindon Link team went with the vegetarian noodle version of the aforementioned. He commented: "A decent selection of vegetarian options can be found at Kenzo 72 – always the sign of good menu planning.

"The Vegetarian Pad Thai was perhaps a little too sweet for me, but came with some nicely marinated tofu and plenty of crunchy veg to contrast with the rice noodles. And the chef didn’t scrimp on the fresh chilli on top either - which was welcome for capsaicin-addicts like myself!”

Another dish selected off the lunch menu was the Southern Fried Chicken - which is served with sweet potato fries and Japanese curry sauce. 

The recipient of this meal said: "The more American-style fried chicken was cooked perfectly, and melded well with the distinct flavours of the Japanese curry. This is an example of a fusion dish done well." 

The final meal chosen from the lunch time menu was a classic - the Steak, Egg and Chips. This dish did not receive overly positive feedback on this occasion, with the egg said to be the best part of the meal.

The diner in question explained: "The lunch menu is extremely good value for money, but with this saving, I found I had to sacrifice the quality of the steak. There was also no steak knife provided to cut it with. Additionally, the chips were a bit disappointing and on the dry side. 

"I have had steaks at Kenzo 72 before, and I know they are better than this one I ordered with the egg and chips."

Two of the other Swindon Link staff members selected dishes that can be found outside the lunch menu - one choosing the Vegetarian Dumplings and selecting some accompanying sweet potato fries as a side, and the other choosing the Kimchi Style Chicken Salad.

The Vegetarian Dumplings were described as 'being cooked just right', 'not too soft', and 'lifted in flavour with the accompanying garlic vinegar dip.' The fries were said to be 'both crisp and soft, and thoroughly moreish.'

The Kimchi Style Chicken Salad was also held in high regard. The team member who ordered this Asian-inspired dish said: "As a fan of grilled chicken, salad and spices, this was pretty much my ideal meal. The salad was fresh and packed with chicken.

"I really like spice and although this was spicy, it was not overpowering. As a cheap lunch option I think this was good value for money, and a more exciting option than your average Tuesday lunchtime salad."

Overall, the trip to the local Old Town eatery was enjoyable. Staff were polite and attentive, and the wait for the meals to be served did not have the team twiddling their thumbs for long.

Those wishing to find out more information about Kenzo 72 can visit its website at https://www.kenzo72.com/swindon/