Review: Bento Cafe

BY NUHA ISLAM

Every person that leaves for in state Florida college comes back a changed person. They come home  and rave about Bento Asian Cafe + Sushi with a hunger in their eye unparalleled by any Asian style eatery here in Cooper City. So when I got wind of Bento Cafe opening a branch in Davie, a visit was in order.

Bento markets themselves as quality Asian food simplified and made accessible to the masses. A quick look around the website makes the viewer call to mind Chipotle, and its style of dining. Parts of the online menu look the same too: a choice between sushi rolls, pasta bowls, bento boxes and boba tea. Bento boxes are meals with portions of food doled out in what is reminiscent of the infamous school lunch trays.

Where the restaurant differentiates itself  from a school lunch is the food quality. It’s not unsalted whole grain pasta with artificial parmesan sprinkled on top. It’s classic Asian style cuisine, toned dow
n to appeal to middle America, and Bento does its job particularly well. The food was agreed upon as delicious, by both its many Google reviews and its customers.

The dining style resembles Pei Wei, where customers stand in line and order, then take a number and wait for a server to bring food to their table.

The line was LONG, especially during dinner rush on Friday night. Expect huge crowds, and run ins with everyone from family friends to school teachers. Also, anticipate standing in line for 30 minutes and  waiting 20 minutes for the food to arrive.

It’s casual dining, in a fast paced bustling environment. The servers seemed to be in a panicked hurry and two of my party’s dishes didn’t arrive until requested upon thrice. However, all grievances were forgiven once the food arrived. Simply put, it was marvelous, decadent and well worth the wait. Also, Bento gave the offended vouchers for a free boba tea.

The location of the restaurant is also commendable, in the heart and center of Tower Shoppes Plaza, where many popular shops are located. Bento easily becomes a great place for a meal after a shopping outing.

This breed of Pei Wei/Bento style restaurants have a strange appeal, waiting in a long line for quality, affordable food in a bustling store. Alone, the visit may become lonely and tedious, but with a group of friends it makes the trip worthwhile for the food.

Should you go to this restaurant? Do you like moderately priced sushi, pad thai, and Pei Wei style dining? Do you have a group of friends that will keep busy during the long wait and ample time?  If so, a trip to Bento is a must.