Tsunami   

As the name implies, Tsunami brings a veritable tidal wave of Pacific Rim seafood to midtown Memphis. Chef/owner Ben Smith takes his inspiration from Southeast Asia, specializing in exotic curries, miso rubs and coconut sauces, while his wife, restaurant manager Colleen Smith, soothes and schmoozes the hungry clientele. Set in the heart of the Cooper-Young district, the eatery pulls in a diverse cross section of the city, serving starving artists, hipsters on the make and dignified gourmands six nights a week. Make a reservation -- or endure an hour-plus wait at the bar -- then order up Smith's trademark wasabi-crusted tuna or the hot, pungent shrimp. If you have a hungry group, go tapas-style with a round of spicy appetizers such as the sake-steamed mussels, duck-and-mushroom egg rolls and pot-sticker dumplings with chile-soy dipping sauce. Accompany that fiery fare with a bottle of the house Chardonnay, and you'll know why Tsunami consistently places at the top of the local restaurant polls. -- Andria Lisle