It might be that I am predisposed to dislike pan-Asian restaurants, but Cafe Asia has never done anything to counter that bias. The only dish that I have ever had there that is worth ordering is the Indonesian seafood fried rice, and that is way over-priced.

Every other dish I have had there has been bland or tasteless. The $1 dollar sushi specials during happy hour are hardly worth the gas or metro fare it takes to get there. If you get stuck in the back room of the one in Rosslyn you might want to bring a hearing aid because the acoustics are terrible.

Cafe Asia is a good place to hang out with friends, though, because it’s roomy and has a large bar. But if you’re looking for quality cuisine, look elsewhere. It might be that cooking in several different styles is just too hard to pull off without hiring several chefs, but I have never been to a pan-Asian place I’ve liked. Cafe Asia is no exception.

Luna Grill & Diner is great if you have time to spare and you’re not in a rush. The food isn’t excellent – but it is better than just good. Though there’s only so much you can do with the average diner fare to set it apart from the chains.

This Luna Grill (I have not been to the Arlington location) has a decidedly Bohemian feel to it; it manages to draw in a clientele as diverse as the neighborhood that surrounds it. The service is pretty slow, but the food tastes like home.

Weekend brunch is probably the most worthwhile as well as the busiest time to come to Luna. The meal may end up a little overpriced for those on a budget, but the quality is about as good as you’ll get at that price.

Sripraphai is not the type of restaurant you want to go to alone – the number of mouthwatering selections will make you regret it. If you can bring a group and order lots of selections family style, you will be a happy camper.

Sripraphai was fairly busy when we went, but it was well worth the wait. The fried fish topped with chili sauce was nothing short of nirvana. Before I ate at Sripraphai I was skeptical of its reputation as the best Thai restaurant on the east coast, but now I would have to agree.

In the interests of full disclosure, I will have to say that I’m not really into Mexican food and I can’t remember exactly how whatever I ordered tasted like.

But I can say that the swirl margaritas are worth standing around waiting for a table for 2 hours (maybe that’s why I can’t remember). They are a must have. This place, to me, seems more like a place to stand and be seen rather than a place to sit and eat, but it’s good for a night out with friends.

I’ve been to Malaysia Kopitiam several times, and I’m not going to lie, it’s hit or miss each time. I have ordered dishes that have sent my taste buds into overdrive and others I have tasted have been completely bland.

A sure bet is the Roti Canai to start – the curry is so flavorful you’d like to pour it over rice and eat it as an entree. The Char Kuih Teow should be your pick if you’re in the mood for stir-fried noodle.

For those diners who are at a loss as to what to order, you can always ask for a menu with pictures, which is really helpful. And what makes me come back to Malaysia Kopitiam instead of hopping over to Penang? The lower prices and larger portions.

For me, Bangkok 54 always seemed like somewhat of an indulgence. The atmosphere makes it seem like a place that I can’t afford to eat at, but to my surprise, I can. When compared against its neighbor a few blocks down, Thai Square, I would go to Thai Square, but if you’re planning on taking someone special out to good Thai with a nice atmosphere, I would chose Bangkok 54.

The cellophane-noodle salad (yum woon sen) is a good bet for an appetizer – it’s very light, very good, but also very spicy. I would definitely try a whole steamed or fried fish, if you can, but the five spices stewed pork should fill you up if you want something substantial.

The parking lot gets cramped (it is shared with the grocery store of the same name next door) so take heed if you were planning a huge excursion.

Of all the restaurants in Eden Center, I frequent this one the most often, by far. The atmosphere may not be comparable to that of 4 Sisters (which is also good) but the food is fast, cheap, and delicious. I am especially taken with the grilled pork chop, shredded pork, and pork loaf over rice – I believe it’s #60.

The service at Mark’s Duck House could be better, but let’s not kid ourselves – we don’t go to Chinese restaurants for the service. I’m told the roasted duck is genius, but not being a fan of duck, I can tell you that almost anything you order will be good.

Some of my go-to’s are either a roasted pork or roasted pig w/crispy skin dish, an order of Salty Deep Fried Squid w/Chili & Garlic (Calamari), and the eggplant. I hear the Dim Sum is pretty decent on the weekends as well, though I have never had the chance to try it.

I’m willing to bet that Mark’s has the best Chinese in the area and I promise that you won’t be disappointed.

I have to start out by saying that I am Thai American, so I don’t eat out at Thai restaurants very often, but if I wanted Thai, I’d go to Thai Square first. The food is as close to authentic Thai as you can get in a restaurant, and it always helps that the waitresses are cute.

You’ll find the usual Thai fare at Thai Square, but don’t let that fool you. The usual dishes here are great compared to some restaurants, and I dare say that Thai Square pulls off the symphony of flavors that is to be savored in Thai cooking as well as any Bangkok street chef: sweet, spicy, salty, and sour balancing in food harmony.

The atmosphere at 2 Amys is charming, yes, but the food is even better. I have never had a pizza here I did not like. The neapolitan pizza is an artform here, but don’t miss out on their specials – their appetizers and custom sorbets are to die for.

The wait staff is gregarious and knowledgeable – they certainly knew what foods would complement each other. If the only pizza I could eat for the rest of my life came from 2 Amys, I wouldn’t mind eating just pizza for the rest of my time on God’s green earth.