Azia

One of the more notable new places I have tried is: Azia. My friend Brian, who I tried this place with, enjoyed it so much that he has been back three times already.

Azia is an Asian fusion restaurant, which provides a modern setting for you to enjoy your fried rice in a pretty dish with a martini. Their menu include influences from Thailand, Malaysia, China and Japan. I have never been particularly fond of fusion food because a lot of the time, I think the true flavours of an ethnic cuisine is demoted rather than promoted. But I must admit, whatever the chef at Azia is thinking, he/she is thinking along my lines. The food pretty much stayed within its original form and are accentuated by just a twist of creativity.

We ordered the Mussels in Ginger and Cumin sauce, the Peking Duck Spring Rolls, Scallops in Spicy Fish Flavoured Sauce and the Mongolian Beef Strips. I thought everything tasted fairly good, of course, little improvements can go a long way. An example would be to use fresh instead of frozen mussels in that divine sauce.

Overall, the portions were good, and for a downtown restaurant, the prices are decent. It is a good restaurant to take a date to, especially if you are off to the movies and want to eat somewhere quieter than Earls.

Taste: 3 out of 5
Creativity: 4 out of 5
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5

990 Smithe Street (right beside Paramount Theatre)
604-682-8622

www.aziarestaurants.com