Osha Thai Noodle Cafe   

The SceneThe hippest noodle parlor in town draws a diverse crowd of tattooed and wild-haired youths, happily slurping away in diner-esque, blue vinyl booths. A stylish Thai staff dishes up these economical bowlfuls at lightning speed till after midnight daily. The Food Bold, creative variations on Thai noodles take center stage, but standards are also exceptional: Spicy egg noodles are stir-fried with chunks of crispy, succulent roast duck, then perfectly finished with licorice-scented Thai basil and a hint of sweet soy. Ever-popular pad thai is rich and peanut-y, though slightly oily; and chicken tom yum's thin noodles can be overwhelmed by a complex broth. The teo chew pork wontons float in clear, greaseless stock. Fiery, lime-infused beef salad and Osha's Sea, a robust red curry brimming with moist salmon chunks, crab claws, shrimp and calamari are ideal examples of the signature Thai balance of hot, sour, salty and sweet.