Cafe Asia   

Even though its dining room is spacious and loft-like, Cafe Asia fills up fast. This melting pot of Asian cuisines is great for groups of friends, works for a business lunch, and makes a casual date spot. One draw is the diverse Asian menu that pleases most crowds. Another is the minimalist chic dining room. Wallet-friendly prices don't hurt either. The menu veers around the Pacific: appetizers include tuna tataki, minty Vietnamese summer rolls, spicy Chinese ravioli and piquant Thai coconut and galanga soup. Fill up on fried rice Indonesian style (with spicy prawn sauce, chilis, fried shallots and eggs) or Singapore style (curry powder, eggs, onions and scallions). In the mood for spicy? Try curry laksa noodle soup. Something light? Vietnamese bun, a cold, herbaceous noodle salad. Wash it all down with a creamy Thai ice tea or ice coffee. There's a full sushi bar, and during happy hour Monday through Saturday from 5:30PM-7, diners can get nigiri for $1 per piece and hot sake and beer for $1.75. For dessert, try the mango with sticky rice or the Indonesian fried banana with dried coconut and honey. -- Ann Limpert