EATS & DRINKS
By Case Dighero | Photos by Meredith Mashburn
Wu Zhao
215 NW A St., Ste. 110, Bentonville | (479) 553-7106 | www.zhaobentonville.com
The Northwest Arkansas-based team behind Blu Fish House and Blu DTR has recently opened its newest concept with Asian-themed Wu Zhao in Bentonville. The name harkens back to China’s only female emperor, an appropriate reference to the delicate, nuanced vibe of the food and space. The interior is cloaked in a duo of large cherry blossom trees that hang over parts of the dining room and Red Dragon Lounge, a welcoming introduction to the experience at hand. There are myriad points of interest for diners to engage with, including a well-equipped bar chock-full of cognac, sake and wine selections as well as a quaint outdoor patio, bustling sushi bar and a space to observe parcels of dim sum prepared before your eyes.
The aforementioned Red Dragon Lounge includes plenty of space at the bar as well as soft seating for comfort sips, with a wide selection of autumn-weather drinks such as the Pumpkin Spice White Russian, Five Spiced Old Fashioned andPeach Cobbler Martini — and an impressive sake collection. Throughout the restaurant, one can’t help but notice the juxtaposition of bright green, purple, gold and red set against the dark Arkansas black walnut…welcoming, comforting, exhilarating.
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​The menu was first designed under the direction of Vincent Yeow Lim, also known as DimSimLim, a prominent Australian chef who has a worldwide following due to his Southeast Asian cuisine and expertise in authentic wok cooking. His popularity has undeniably helped feed the buzz around the opening of Wu Zhao, and his fingerprints are noted across the menu and feel of the space.
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The menu is vast, offering something for everyone, including dim sum, sushi, nigiri, crudo, noodles, vegetarian options and classic Chinese archetypes. The staff filling and pinching dim sum are an important part of the show, so I encourage all to sit at the Arkansas-excavated gray stone bar to observe their prowess for cranking out beautiful gems such as Pork Belly Bao Buns ($21) and the ethereal Mushroom & Truffle Dumplings ($14) with dark soy mushrooms and Kewpie mayo. I’m also a huge fan of the Glazed Lamb Pops ($27), with homemade oyster-chile sauce, and the P.E.I. Coconut-Curry Mussels ($21), wonderfully balanced with briny salt and a whisper of sweetness.
Other notables include the Firecracker Tofu ($14), Mu Shu Chicken ($24) with Chinese pancakes, Chicken Crispy Egg Noodles ($24), and the vegetarian Super Green Fried Rice ($15) with roasted mushrooms, Asian greens and aged soy sauce. I’m also over the moon for the Tofu & Mushroom Curry ($17), lightly battered and fried tofu with mushrooms in a luxurious coconut curry sauce.
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The sushi and crafted rolls are also a thing of beauty, boasting items such as the Flaming Blu ($21), tempura shrimp, spicy crab and avocado nestled with eel, ebi and smoked salmon. I also highly recommend the Hamachi Carpaccio ($28), with paper-thin jalapenos and chile oil. For dessert, be sure to try the Biscoff Dumplings ($14).
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Wu Zhao is all about experience. Even though the menu is inspired from an Australian chef who specializes in Southeast Asian fare, the aesthetics and vibe still somehow capture the essence of Arkansas, and that juxtaposition is not only exhilarating but also worthy of a long, successful run in Bentonville.
