New owner of Overseas Asian Bistro promises to bring array of delicious options to your table

BY DYLAN SKRILOFF

Overseas restaurant has been a staple at Indian Rock Plaza in Suffern for many years, however, new ownership is bringing a whole new level of cuisine to the location.

Owner Leo Zheng has expanded the name to Overseas Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar and hired an executive chef from Hong Kong with over 40 years experience and a sushi chef from Manhattan with over 10 years in the trade. The new team is offering not only Chinese and Japanese food as the location traditionally has, but also select entrees of other styles including Vietnamese, Mongolian, Malaysian and Thai.

Sushi figures to be the feature attraction for many visitors and Zheng’s restaurant will not disappoint. During a recent sampling of the sushi and sashimi menu, my palette was pleased by tuna, octopus, salmon, shrimp, sea urchin, king crab and yellow tail. All fresh and first rate. After that I dined on Oversea’s American Dream roll with shrimp tempura, avocado, lobster salad and crab. Between that and the tuna and salmon roles, it was about as much sea-faring goodness this sushi-lover could handle.

For an appetizer I had the mini soup pork bun, something I never had tried before and a rather pleasant dish. For the main entrees, Lamb Hunan style and Szechuan crispy dried beef were both excellent. The sweetness and enjoyable texture of the Szechuan dish particularly stood out.

Zheng, a native to China with 15 years in the restaurant business, said he believes Rockland is ripe for what his restaurant offers. “Rockland has potential. There are not enough good restaurants here. We have a chance to bring better food to the market,” he said, noting if the Suffern location is popular, he expects to open other spots around the county.

A resident of Queens, the supermarket capital of the area, Zheng brings fresh groceries to Suffern every day. His seafood is delivered at least four times per week to the restaurant. Zheng said his philosophy is he’d rather sell out of a dish than hold on to food for an extra day.

Rocklanders who love to go out for a good meal will agree, the new Overseas is a welcome addition to the local scene. In fact, I would rate the restaurant a must try for any lover of sushi or Asian cuisine.

Zheng is bringing food a cut above most local Asian restaurants, while keeping prices reasonable. The lunch menu is affordable for most local professionals.

Rating: Four Stars

Hours: Mon – Thur 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Fri – Sat: 11 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Sunday: 4 – 9:30 p.m. Free delivery, minimum $20 order. Call: 845-368-2888, 845-368-4888. Text: 646-371-5747. Www.Facebook.com/Asiansecret.

Gluten-free, vegetable oil, vegetarian available.