Szechuan in style

Driving down the highway from Antelias into downtown Beirut, one cannot but notice several huge billboards advertising the latest Asian cuisine restaurant, Chenbao — the Chinese word for castle. Curiosity aroused, Executive decided to pay a visit. Chenbao is the newest conception of the Kazzami group, which brought us the high-end sushi restaurant Osaka and is planning for the opening of the Italian garden restaurant Villagio on Kantari Street, Beirut. Since Chenbao is also promoted as luxurious dining, expectations were high. Situated on the main road in Saifi Village II, with glass panels allowing diners to see the streets outside and be seen themselves by passersby, glamor is projected before you take your first step inside.  At the entrance, Executive’s party of two is greeted by an Asian hostess wearing a Chinese-style dress, who escorts us to our table and offers us the traditional wet and warm hand towels. The