2009.03.20
Asian delights at new cafe
Have you ever had a monster sushi craving but your dining partner is a sushi wuss? Well, now you don't have to force your pal into ordering a couple of California rolls just so you can satisfy your own selfish desires.
Last Friday night, we finally had a chance to check out Cafe Asia, a new restaurant located in the Bonsack shopping center that is anchored by the new Kroger store. Feng Chen, a partner in the Szechuan restaurant chain, opened Cafe Asia with the idea that it would serve cuisines from several different Asian countries.
Indeed, the menu includes sushi, Korean barbecue, Szechuan stir-fries, Thai curries and noodle dishes. So you can travel Japan (figuratively) while your buddy dips his or her toes (figuratively) in the warm waters of Thailand.
I can vouch for some of the sushi, because I tried the salmon skin make roll, a spicy tuna roll and one specialty roll that was identical to Ben Gui's Red Dragon except without the roe. The Red Dragon is better, but Cafe Asia doesn't do too badly. Also good at Cafe Asia was the sesame-garlic asparagus, which is sold as a meal but we ordered as an appetizer.
Chen outdid himself on the decor at Cafe Asia. It's one of those strip mall restaurants that makes you forget you're in a strip mall once you step inside the front doors. Check it out yourself and let me know what you think.
Have a great weekend!
Do you know if they have a website?
Comment by Jay — March 20, 2009 @ 9:40 am
Love Cafe Asia! We live about two miles from there and eat there about once a week. Try the volcano roll; it's outstanding. And all the noodle dishes are wonderful.
Comment by Nona Nelson — March 20, 2009 @ 10:20 am
Hmm, I needed an idea for a place to go to lunch on Sunday with a visiting friend. I was thinking about Thelma's Chicken & Waffles so he could get his Southern fix before heading home to Seattle, but I think Cafe Asia might be better on the waistline!
Comment by Lori — March 20, 2009 @ 10:44 am
Cafe Asia is the best restaurant addition in this part of town. Food is outstanding and the service is even better. Feng makes everyone feel as if they are the only customer in the restaurant. The others on his staff are just as good. I had the garlic chicken the last time and it was just outstanding.
Comment by Phil — March 20, 2009 @ 11:40 am
Trust me, there's more than enough food in Seattle to satisfy Asian-cravings...seriously. More restaurants are Asian-y than not out this way. Waffles & Chicken are much much harder to come by on the left coast. Indulge the kid in something different.
Comment by Someone in Seattle — March 20, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
I had lunch in the sushi bar last week, just on a whim. I am eat sushi at least once a week, and I was very impressed with the quality and service. I advise anyone to try it that loves sushi, you will not be dissapointed, and if you live in botetourt, it's right in our back yard.
Comment by Jon — March 20, 2009 @ 4:01 pm
My 15 month old son and I went to dine at Cafe Asia last night and were very impressed. I ordered the Bento Box special and shared it with him. He loved the crab wontons! The salmon avocado rolls and the spicy pepper beef were great too.
As an interior designer most local restaurant interiors do nothing for me. I agree with Lindsey that Chen did a good job on paying attention to details. They work hard to keep it clean and it shows.
The hot towels before and after the meal are a wonderful touch (and huge bonus when dining with a 15-month old). We'll definitely go back.
Comment by Sharlyn — March 21, 2009 @ 10:27 am
To Someone in Seattle - that was precisely the reason I was thinking about taking him to Thelma's! I know that Asian restaurants are almost as ubiquitous as coffee joints in Seattle.
Comment by Lori — March 21, 2009 @ 3:20 pm
Well, we did not make it out for lunch as planned. I got up Sunday morning to my husband making crepes! We had leftover ricotta cheese, which I mixed with some honey and we had blintzes. We topped those with some cherry conserve and oh it was so delicious! Then our guest showed up with donuts. After reading Sharlyn's comment though, I want to try Cafe Asia even more!
Comment by Lori — March 23, 2009 @ 10:27 am
Oh boy. I new place to dine international. Thanks Lindsey! I look forward to exploring this one day.
Comment by Amy Hanek — March 23, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
Has anyone tried the new Izumi Steakhouse/Sushi bar next to the BAC where the Fried Pickle was?
Comment by Rich — March 23, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
Rich, we tried it two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon. It was very disappointing. Think Kabuki without the show.
Comment by Gloria — March 24, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
My family and I have known Feng for many years and have always enjoyed his eager to please attitude not only to us but to all his customers. If you want to experience the BEST ask Feng to make you General Cho's Chicken (or shrimp) and tell him extra crunchy and triple spicy - honest to goodness it is the BEST thing I have sunk a tooth in since leaving California 15 years ago.
Comment by Mitchell Mason — March 24, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I tried their pho a few weeks ago and it was fantastic.
Comment by Miranda — April 3, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Ate lunch there today. Nothing to write home about. The same mundane rolls. Not really a sushi bar but a "roll" bar. The service was very good but the food was typical SWVA style Asian fare. Understand I was fortunate enough to live in Japan and Korea and have experienced top notch sushi/sashimi and other Asian dishes so the bar is set high. To mention Korean BBQ and the Asian Cafe together is just not correct.
Comment by Scott — April 10, 2009 @ 4:34 pm