Pan-Asian

A MESSAGE FROM THIS BUSINESS: Located on Washington Square in the heart of North Beach, Avenue G breathes new life into the former home of La Felce, a San Francisco institution for 35 years. The bar's upbeat mood allows for casual dining and mingling, while the restaurant has a '50s “Rat Pack” appeal with comfortable leather chairs, dark wood floors and muted color schemes.

A MESSAGE FROM THIS BUSINESS: Butterfly Bistro, created by chef-owner Rob Lam of the Butterfly in San Francisco, brings reasonably priced, family-style Vietnamese dishes to the Peninsula. Chef Lam has succeeded in infusing a piece of the city in San Bruno by opening a restaurant with such a diverse menu and hip ambiance. Located in the Shops at Tanforan, the modern decor and atmosphere are unique and sure to inspire gatherings for anything from happy hour to dinner celebrations.

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=845+Market+St.,+Suite+597+sf&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=luGgSbyiEYnYsAPMv4HaCQ&ll=37.787149,-122.4069&spn=0.006478,0.013454&z=16&iwloc=r15

What used to be a small Singaporean restaurant in the Inner Richmond is now something of an empire: Chris Yeo’s Straits Restaurant now has outposts in San Jose and Burlingame, and relocated its original Geary Boulevard location to sleeker, more modern digs in the Westfield SF Centre (think red tones, dark wood and teak pendant chandeliers). A DJ spins on weekends, adding to an already loungey atmosphere.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Singaporean cuisine mixes Asian influences ranging from Thai to Chinese to Indian, so you’ll see some familiar flavors: curry, lemongrass, coconut. Grilled beef wrapped in a grape leaf and topped with mint, basil and toasted nuts makes for a fun starter. A whole sea bass, baked in parchment, gets an aromatic preparation with ginger, longan, shiitake mushrooms and rice wine, while a spicy Kaffir lime–infused beef curry packs some punch. The dishes are meant to be shared, so make sure everyone at the table is on the same page.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1963+Sutter+St.+sf&sll=37.790625,-122.409368&sspn=0.006478,0.013454&gl=us&g=450+Post+Street+sf&ie=UTF8&ll=37.788336,-122.432692&spn=0.006478,0.013454&z=16&iwloc=addr

This perennial neighborhood favorite’s bright-red storefront and bold, block-lettered sign have been beckoning to Pac Heights locals for more than 15 years. Inside, golden-hued walls and mauve banquettes set a sophisticated but not stuffy scene just off the bustle of Fillmore Street.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>East meets West on chef-owner Kirk Webber’s inspired menu. He was a pioneer in Asian fusion, and it shows in his signature dragon roll—crispy prawns, shiso, avocado and cucumber wrapped in smoked salmon—which shares the list of starters with heirloom tomato carpaccio with a balsamic reduction. Mains run the gamut from a chicken roulade stuffed with roasted red peppers and lemon thyme to miso-glazed wild salmon. Swing by on weekends for such homey brunch items as pumpkin pancakes.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1751+Fulton+St.,+San+Francisco&sll=37.73893,-122.414079&sspn=0.011844,0.019312&g=830+Cortland+St.,+San+Francisco&ie=UTF8&z=16&iwloc=addr

This pan-Asian restaurant doesn’t just have boundary issues; it celebrates them—in its food and its dining room. The latter, decorated with Balinese art and artifacts, is split into a bar and, against the opposite wall, a beige banquette lined with two-tops. In between, a few tables serve as an ad-hoc teahouse (well into dinnertime, you’ll see people sitting there, hunched over their MacBooks). At 10 p.m. sharp, the lights dim, a DJ starts spinning and—voilà!—it’s a nightclub.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The menu (all small plates) is sans frontières as well—you’ll see dishes reminiscent of the usual Thai/ Vietnamese/Malaysian/Chinese suspects, but nothing is an exact match. For instance, whole shrimp (rather than the shrimp paste you’d expect in chao tom) are skewered on sugarcane and then served over a green papaya salad mixed with mango and Thai basil. Don’t miss the Poleng coconut curry, two tea-infused variations on a Thai-basil-and-eggplant theme.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=roy's,+++sf&sll=37.800154,-122.412243&sspn=0.024347,0.053816&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.835276,-122.427864&spn=0.097342,0.215263&z=12&iwloc=A

The after-work crowd gets in a Honolulu state of mind at the San Francisco outpost of Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian-fusion empire. Ample seating, amiable service and several group-menu options make this an ideal spot for large-party celebrations.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Exotic flavors are mixed with seasonal ingredients in spicy oven-baked crab cakes with house-made kimchi and sweet Maui-onion wontons for scooping up hamachi tartare. Creative surf dishes steal the show, but turf lovers are not forsaken. A Roy’s meal wouldn’t be complete without the lava-like hot chocolate soufflé for dessert.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=safari&ie=UTF8&q=Chaya+Brasserie,+SF&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&cid=0,0,548724061526124266&ll=37.794474,-122.392159&spn=0.007376,0.013819&z=16&iwloc=A

This sleek space is filled with exposed bright-red beams, box-shaped crystal chandeliers and a dazzling view of the Bay Bridge. Lunch is packed with business groups closing deals; dinner, with both date-night two-tops and visitors from the ’burbs.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The sophisticated Franco-Japanese menu offers up caramelized foie gras alongside bento boxes and sesame-crusted albacore salad. There’s even a first-rate sushi bar for a quick meal on the run.</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=butterfly,+++sf&sll=37.835005,-122.436104&sspn=0.103579,0.215263&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.848833,-122.43576&spn=0.097324,0.215263&z=12&iwloc=B

Think downtown L.A.: guys in dark suits fresh off the financial desk, platinum blondes in short skirts and a boisterous vibe that keeps things lively—and noisy. A view of the bar from the dining room makes for prime people-watching, and the floor-to-ceiling windows add a touch of serenity.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>The menu features creative Cal-Asian fare, with plenty of fresh seafood and bright flavors like ginger and lemongrass. The hoisin-glazed baby back ribs, the tempura rolls with black rice and the fried whole fish served with noodles and kimchi are all worth a try.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #cc0000;">A MESSAGE FROM THIS BUSINESS:</span></strong> Located in the heart of San Francisco’s waterfront, Butterfly offers California-Asian cuisine accompanied by breathtaking views of the bay. Award-wining chef-owner Rob Lam has created a perfectly balanced menu that suites any palate. From the adventurous to the conservative, our guests always leave satisfied. The modern, yet bright decor paired with a refined vibe makes this a great location for a casual brunch, quick lunch or candlelit dinner. Join us on Friday and Saturday evenings and enjoy a DJ spinning in the background or come in on Thursdays for live jazz–there is always something happening at Butterfly!</p>

Google Maps Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Betelnut,+SF&sll=37.790523,-122.406557&sspn=0.007376,0.013819&gl=us&ie=UTF8&ll=37.808428,-122.432842&spn=0.058996,0.11055&z=13&iwloc=A

At this Asian-style beer house, rattan ceiling fans and red lacquer make it feel as if a little bit of Kowloon landed in Cow Hollow—until you spy the postcollege crowd filling the sidewalk tables and gulping mojitos.

Eats:What's on your menu.: <p>Regulars come here for the minced chicken in lettuce cups and the not-to-be-missed, addictive wok-fried green beans. “Little dragon” dumplings stuffed with pork and shrimp, glazed pork short ribs, five-spice wild boar and miso-marinated rib eye are also pan-Asian crowd pleasers.</p>