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In Miami Beach, this Mexican concept draws on the lineage of Baja as imagined by Mexican City native Richard Ampudia and Plan Do See, a hospitality brand based in Japan.
Website: loloscantina.com
Address: 161 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, Fla.
Phone number: 305-735-6973
Number of seats: 70
Entrée price range: $10-$32
Popular dishes: Mayan dip: Silky pumpkin seed dip served with vegetable crudités; carnitas taco with pork confit, cilantro, pickled onions and salsa verde; carne asada with 8-oz. Prime New York strip, grilled onions, avocado, tortillas, and house salsas; bone marrow chalupa with herb salad and salsa macha.
What others say: “I'm a taco-holic...I was very happy to find this place. Everything here is fresh and it shows.” — Yelp comment
Fish tacos
Steak platter
The flavors of India and south Asia found a well-heeled new home at this sophisticated addition to the restaurant scene in Bozeman, Mt.
Website: saffrontable.com
Address: 1511 West Babcock Ave. Suite A.
Phone number: 406-586-0800
Number of seats: 50
Entrée price range: $16-$22
Popular dishes: Eggplant chaat: crispy eggplant with spicy chickpeas, crispy chickpea noodles, roasted rice, yogurt, tamarind and mint chutney; wild-caught fish of the day with signature hara masala sauce, yogurt, cilantro, garlic, turmeric, green chile, crispy cauliflower, chickpea fritter and smoked tomatoes; Mughlai chicken & mushroom curry with free range chicken, onion, almond, golden raisin, cinnamon, clove and basmati saffron rice.
What others say: “The only way to describe the Bhel Puri is as little crispy bubbles of heaven. Not spicy, but salty, sweet and tangy with the soft crunch of fresh fried dough, we found ourselves fighting over the last one.” — Danielle Martin, Bozeman Magazine
Interior
The menu features dishes inspired by the cuisines of India and south Asia.
In Indianapolis, the operators of the popular Shoefly Public House decided to try their hands at Asian food — and won a discerning audience despite having no Asian roots whatsoever.
Website: longbranchindy.com
Address: 2205 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis
Phone number: 317-602-6726
Number of seats: 68 in dining room and 14 at the bar
Entrée price range: $10-$22
Popular dishes: Shrimp rangoons: poached in sesame butter and served with pineapple sweet & sour sauce; Generals Tso: crispy veal sweetbreads in hot & sweet sauce served with stir fried vegetables and sticky rice; chicken wings: koji-dusted deep-fried whole chicken wings with house-made sambal powder, pickled onions, lime and pickled mustard seeds; Thai fried rice: crispy Berkshire pork belly, egg, sticky rice, pickled red onions, cucumber and lime.
What others say: “Could a bunch of white guys on Indianapolis’ Near Northside master anything even remotely Chinese? They are in the kitchen at LongBranch, one of Indy’s hottest new restaurants.” — Liz Biro, Indy Star
General Tso's chicken
Interior
This “chef-driven smokehouse” in Dallas does barbecue but in a more refined fashion than is the norm — and with a mind for offerings of other disparate kinds as well.
Website: smokyrose.com
Address: 8602 Garland Rd., Dallas
Phone number: 469-776-5655
Number of seats: 114 in the dining room, 125 on the patio and 78 in the yard
Entrée price range: $18-$30
Popular dishes: Deviled eggs in beet brine with aïoli, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper; apple and spinach salad with sliced pickled beets, goat cheese, spring mix and balsamic vinaigrette; Smoky Rose Stack: Challah bun, shoestring fried onions, pimento cheese, chopped brisket and sliced sausage; The Chicken Dish: Airline chicken breast with honey hog seasoning, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, house pickles and white barbecue sauce.
What others say: “By design, Smoky Rose is more than just a barbecue smokehouse. It has the feel of a restaurant nice enough to take your out-of-town guests, with enough variety to the menu to please all-comers.” — Chris Wolfgang, Dallas Observer
Brisket
Pickled beet with goat cheese
This “oyster bar & coastal cuisine” destination in Aspen, Colo., caters to après-ski guests and diners whose priorities are more refined.
Website: jimmysbodega.com
Address: 305-7 S Mill St., Aspen, Colo.
Phone number: 970-710-2182
Number of seats: 65 inside, 55 outside
Entrée price range: $18-$45
Popular dishes: Peruvian ceviche with yellow pepper, garlic, cilantro, pickled red onion, corn on the cob and sweet potato chips; sabor del mar with pappardelle pasta, scallops, mussels, barramundi, shrimp, king crab and saffron fish fumet; Jimmy’s crab cake dinner with French fries, coleslaw, cocktail sauce, jalapeño tartar sauce and lemon gremolata.
What others say: “This is no mere bodega — Jimmy has a full-blown hot spot on his hands, where locals line up to sample the tequila and mezcal collection at happy hour, or dive into the raw bar on the patio as the sun sets.” –Conde Nast Traveler
Salmon crudo
Seafood platter
This “modern neighborhood restaurant” in the heart of Louisville, Ky., tends toward homey, comfort-food-spun takes on hearty meat dishes and vegetables that can stand up to them.
Website: fatlamblouisville.com
Address: 2011 Grinstead Dr., Louisville, Ky.
Phone number: 502-409-7499
Number of seats: 68
Entrée price range: $16-$29
Popular dishes: Seared scallops with cauliflower purée, balsamic cherry sauce, roasted root vegetables and almonds; lamb ragù with creamy polenta and Grana Padano; Black Hawk Farms diner-style double cheeseburger with horseradish pickles and lemon garlic mayonnaise on a brioche bun.
What others say: “The menu isn’t overly long, and it changes frequently to match the seasons, but you can count on creative variety with inventive flavor combinations.” — Robin Garr, Leo Weekly
Reindeer sausage features among the toppings on wood-fired pizzas at this hearty, rustic, and refined pizzeria in Anchorage, Alaska.
Website: fatptarmigan.com
Address: 441 W. 5th Ave., Anchorage, Alaska.
Phone number: 907-777-7710
Number of seats: 113
Entrée price range: $14-$25
Popular dishes: Beer cheese pizza with reindeer sausage, roasted red peppers and green onions; steak & Stilton pizza with garlic-infused olive oil, light cheese blend, caramelized onions and balsamic reduction drizzle; hot coppa pizza with spicy red sauce, cheese blend, pepperoni, fennel sausage and roasted red peppers; Greek pizza with red sauce, cheese blend, braised leg of lamb, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, caramelized onions and tzatziki drizzle.
What others say: “Outstanding pizza (not just for Alaska) if one is in the mood for pizza! And if you need something with reindeer sausages they have a few options.” — Keri Anderson, Heels First Travel
Fat Ptarmigan specializes in wood-fired pizza and also offers salads, pasta and desserts.
Interior
In Bend, Ore., serious beer meets with serious food to help time in the tasting-room go slow and allow for patient views of the Cascade Mountains off in the distance.
Website: cruxfermentation.com
Address: 50 SW Division St., Bend, Ore.
Phone number: 541-385-3333
Number of seats: 110
Entrée price range: $7-$14
Popular dishes: Black and tan pretzel with smoked sea salt and spicy beer cheese; Project Board: Artisan cheese, cured meat, bacon wrapped figs, Castelvetrano olives, Tough Love bacon jam and rosemary crackers; Grilled Cheesy: Asiago crusted panini, shaved Parmesan, havarti, goat cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and spicy pickles; Brutus: Vegan Caesar salad with cashew “Parmesan,” Castelvetrano olives, sundried tomatoes and Brutus dressing.
What others say: “Famous for its ‘Sundowner Hour,’ which brings discounts on its 20+ beer drafts and views of the sun setting over the Cascade Mountains, this Bend brewpub also serves American bar food from the kitchen or a rotating set of food carts.” — Zagat
The restaurant's Sundowner Hour lets patrons enjoy discounted beverages while watching the sunset over the Cascade Mountains.
Project Board: artisan cheese, cured meat, bacon-wrapped figs, olives, bacon jam and rosemary crackers
