New Café Asia is open

[Mark Sommelier]

My friend Yu Sheon opened this restaurant quietly last week. Great dramatic space. 3 levels of dining. Very clean looking minimalist lines. This is a much needed addition to this part of downtown. The sushi was first rate. My favorite dishes are the wok dishes, so think about noodles. We had authentic lo-mein tossed at the table and an incredible Pad-Thai served with an omelette on top! The menu covers all the pan-Asian bases. Large sushi selection. The prices are very moderate. Cool music, too.

[Malawry]

Is this the same people as the Cafes Asia on 19th Street NW between L and M and on Wilson Blvd in Arlington?

[Mark Sommelier]

Is this the same people as the Cafes Asia on 19th Street NW between L and M and on Wilson Blvd in Arlington?

Yes to Arlington. He used to own the 19th Street cafe, but sold it last year.

[Steve Klc]

Mark--how often and how recently have you eaten in the Arlington space? How did you find the quality of food there? Our experiences there have not been good--poor sushi, pale imitations of Vietnamese or Thai dishes much better elsewhere in the neighborhood, like Minh's and Singh Thai, and we've vowed never to return.

Should we?

[sara]

I ate at Cafe Asia in Arlington about 2 months ago, and ordered a large variety of sushi, including amebi, sea urchin etc. I was a bit nervous, and honestly the low prices made me even more uncertain, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The sushi was quite fresh, nicely cut, professionally served. And at very reasonable prices,as I mentioned. We have nothing like this in downtown Philly at the moment (we have plenty of very mediocre sushi at low prices, and wonderful sushi at very high prices tho)--tell your friend to come open another location here!

[Mark Sommelier]

Steve,

I have eaten several times at the Arlington location and once at the Baltimore one he opened 6 months ago. I have enjoyed it each time. Perhaps being a friend of the owner influences things a little.

[Mark Sommelier]

Ate there again tonight. General Tao's Shrimp was outstanding. We got an incredible, pristine selection of sushi, sashimi and nagiri. The seafood Pad Thai was super-delicious. I learned from Sheon that you have to toss the noodles at the table. I love this.

P.S. There was much eye candy.