Renbox Asian Kitchen is a newly-minted Chinese restaurant across from Tompkins High School that offers a fresh take on Chinese faire.

Upon entering the restaurant, you notice the rustic decor and hear mellow pop music playing from the speakers.

My table and I were immediately greeted and seated, each booth individually having a tic-tac-toe or peg board game waiting for its customers.

The food selection is varied, from well-known dishes to more traditional, uncommon Chinese cuisine. As we spoke to the server, she explained that the menu is still evolving, as they are in the soft opening phase.

My table started with the pan fried dumplings. They were served piping hot, crispy on the bottom, and steamed on the top. They were accompanied by a ponzu sauce that was sweet and complimented the flavor of the dumplings.

For our mains, we ordered the lamb and beef skewers, salt and pepper prawns, Sichuan crispy spicy chicken, and scallion beef stir fry. They all came out quickly and were freshly prepared.

The lamb and beef skewers were tender and well-seasoned. The seasoning had a spicy tang to it, and complimented the taste of the meat itself very much.

The salt and pepper prawns, my personal favorite, were breaded and coated with a light sauce. They were very crispy and had notes of garlic. They were served with stir-fried bell peppers and onions.

The Sichuan crispy spicy chicken was served with chopped Sichuan peppers and lightly dusted with Sichuan seasonings. The taste of the chicken was very pleasant, as the spice was there, but not overwhelming.

The scallion beef stir fry was served with a soup, an egg roll, white rice, and a fried egg. Upon the first bite, the taste of lemongrass was apparent. The beef was cooked well and not oversauced.

To conclude, the service, atmosphere, and food were all more than satisfactory, and I would recommend giving this new eatery a try.