Asian

Loyal patrons come to this intimate space in the University District for a unique dining experience (the venue is tiny!) and for the delicious food, cooked before diners' eyes in an open kitchen. Enjoy fried and fresh rolls, house special salads, spicy noodles, pad Thai, curries, cashew dishes and more.

Featuring a vibrant, neon exterior and an intimate, welcoming interior, Taste of India offers a delightful dining experience from start to finish. The food, service and ambience make this a wonderful spot for enjoying Indian and Mediterranean dishes ranging from rich curries and creamy masalas to tasty vindaloos. Other highlights include the chicken tikka masala, spinach naan and homemade mango pistachio ice cream. Vegetarian diners enjoy dishes like the Madras chili masala with crisp-cooked squash and peppers.

In a cozy turquoise house, feast on Thai dishes like spring rolls and tofu tod. For soup selections, sample the tom yum or po tak, and afterward relish entrees like the pad ginger and spicy "summer fire."

Siam offers a sleek, modern setting in which to enjoy tasty Thai dishes of curries, pad thai, drunken noodles and pad see-ew. Enjoy happy hour specials on food and drink at the bar, or enjoy a meal in the upscale dining room area.

This casual downtown spot prides itself on offering customers "good, honest and authentic Thai food which concentrates on the traditional cooking styles of Thailand." The company makes their own curry pastes, combining them with fresh local ingredients, spices and herbs. Try an array of affordable curry and rice dishes, followed by a Thai-style ro ti (a sweet and savory puff pastry/panfried flat bread with toppings).

In West Seattle, Marination Ma Kai brings the delectable flavors and happy vibes of Hawaii to a stunning beachside setting (near Alki). The venue's Hawaiian-Korean cuisine "melts delicate heat and the flavors of aloha together in [diners'] mouths," while the expansive patio offers to-die-for skyline and water views. As the owners put it, "it started with a truck, some exquisite marinades and a lotta love," and now, more than one million tacos and five years later, Marination has expanded to three separate venues and "one big aloha family." Loyal fans rave about the Kimchi Fried Rice Bowl, spicy pork tacos, award-winning Pork Katsu Sandwich, the boozy shave ice bowls, hibiscus-tinged cocktails, the special tangy "NUNYA" sauce and so much more. At Marination, life is good!

Situation: you're craving sushi, your friends are clamoring for lo mein, moo shu pork, and pad thai. Solution: Chinoise Café. This Pan-Asian restaurant chain (with four locations, all in Seattle) ignored the usual "one-cuisine" rule, and subsequently built up quite a following for itself. With nary a bad choice on the menu, you really can't go wrong, but favorites include sushi and sashimi dinners, tamarind basil seafood, and anything with Thai garlic sauce. Service is efficient and friendly, and there is a good selection of wine and sake.

Serving excellent Pan-Asian cuisine from breakfast until late-night, this eatery happily accommodates a host of patrons. Skillfully prepared dishes incorporate the signature flavors of China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. Needless to say, the menu offers a wide variety of imaginative selections. Sushi roll lunch boxes, lemon chicken, and Chinese sausage fried rice are among the most popular choices. Servers are knowledgeable and friendly, bartenders are proficient, and prices are reasonable.

Expertly prepared Vietnamese cuisine consistently draws a hungry crowd to this family-run restaurant. The menu changes seasonally and offers an extensive selection. Vegetarians relish the lemongrass tofu, while omnivores delight in the rich flavors unleashed in banana leaf-wrapped halibut and tamarind soup. Efficient service and reasonable prices add to the appeal, as does a weekend dim sum brunch.

While the appearance of this downtown Thai may not earn high marks with finicky diners, the food certainly does. A favorite with the business crowd, due to the kitchen's quick turnaround and the great prices, Mae Phim has entrees that will please most everyone, from seafood to pork to vegetarian. If the lunch line extends out to the sidewalk, don't despair; the staff tends to get its hungry patrons in and out faster than you can say "peanut sauce."