Arun's- One of the best Thai restaurants in the country. The food combines great flavors with unrivaled presentation. It also provides good services in a appealing setting. The curried filet mignon is probably the best thing I have ever eaten in Chicago. Fix priced menu only. 773-535-1909, 4156 N. Kedzie, D Tues-Sun, $$$$ Website
Le Colonial- Vietnamese with French influences. The food offers a lot of flavor. The setting is French Colonial and romantic, especial upstairs and in summer on the terrace. One of our favorite places to go in Chicago to have a romantic drink. The filet with yams and string beans is one of the best things to eat in Chicago. It is a good place for a salad at lunch. The portions do tend to be small and the prices a little high. 255-0088, 937 N. Rush, L D, $$$ Website
Kamehachi of Tokyo- A nice place with standard sushi offerings that also has a menu for those who do not eat raw fish. The spicy tuna roll is the best around. 587-0660, 240 E. Ontario, L D, $$ Website
Vongs Thai Kitchen- Closed. Thai with an American twist. It offers a good variety of food including soups and salads you will not find at most Thai restaurants. One our spots to to to get a health lunch. 644-8664, 6 W. Hubbard, L D, $$ Website
Big Bowl- Has a mix of Asian influences on its extensive menu. It offer good quality, reliable food for a reasonable price. Our favorite place to go to get an inexpensive lunch. The pot stickers are among the best in Chicago. We often get the soups or the salads, but the coconut curries and kung pao are hard to resist. 951-1888, 60 E. Ohio, 640-8888, 6 E. Cedar, $$ Website
Gyu-Kaku- A Japanese BBQ. There is a grill built right into the table and you order the small pieces of raw food and cook it yourself. It is not anything complicated and the food, assuming you do it right, is very good. It is a fun place for a group. They have good lunch and happy hour specials. 266-8929, 210 E. Ohio, L,D, $$ Website
Slurping Turtle- Chicago's newest Japanese restaurant. A small space serving delicious noodle soups, grilled meats and rice bowls. It is an interesting mix of communal tables and isolated booths. Its small size and hype has made it hard to get in. 464-0466, 116 W. Hubbard, L,D $$ Website
Dao- Standard Chinese and Thai offerings that is only average but the beautiful decor makes it worth a visit. 337-0000, 230 E. Ohio, L D, $ Website