Believe the hype. It really is one of the best sushi spots in Denver, and I love sushi. I like to hit the Den for lunch when, even though filled at each table, it’s just a bit less stuffy and I always have a seat at the bar. I also enjoy the lunch specials that afford me miso soup, sashimi, a roll and greens for a great price. At dinner, you’ll find it’s a bit dressier and the crowd gets a little feisty waiting for a table, but either time of day, you won’t be let down.

Raw fish at it’s best. This spot is pretty well known amongst Denver sushi lovers, therefore making it a Wash Park staple that’s always stuffed. It’s fairly affordable for what they deliver :innovative sushi specialties that keep the fans coming back.

If you don’t look closely you might miss this little eatery. Located on a corner off 8th and Colorado Blvd., you could fill this place up with just my mom’s side of the family. And they wouldn’t mind. This is a family owned Thai cafe that is warm and unassuming from the decor to the food. Not the place to go for a fancy date or any ambiance, but decent for some easy Thai.

If you’ve ever been part of the dating scene in Denver, you’ve probably been to Tommy’s. It’s a fun, yet packed atmosphere serving up decent Thai at an even better price. The portions are huge and two people can easily split an appetizer and entree for even better savings, but I like to take home the leftovers for later!

Some of us worker bees do a lot of eating out for lunch. When I’m tired of the fast food burger and don’t want another subway sandwich, I always seem to think of Swing Thai. This is basically a fast food Thai spot, made to order on the fly. For a change of pace at lunch time in a hurry, you could do much worse. It’s not known for it’s atmosphere, but what speedy lunch spots are? For a tasty pud thai, (with over 1 million served), tease your taste buds with Swing Thai.

P-17 is a trendy mix of authentic Vietnamese fused with modern Asian. I adore the pho here and do suggest the Happy Hour for fantastic cocktails and appetizer steals. You will find some pretty fabulous french fries on the menu, which is not standard for your typical Vietnamese food joint, but I think P-17 offers great ambiance and some really interesting takes on traditional Vietnamese fare.

If you’ve never had a french baguette stuffed with Vietnamese barbequed pork, get here now. This is a true find on Federal and you just cannot beat the price. A sandwich for $2.50? The several options of meats mixed with herbs and veggies stuffed in a baguette will leave you begging for more.

In my opinion, this is the best Chinese take out (and delivery if you’re lucky), joint in the area. From the first time I looked at the menu, I was really happy with the plethora of options. Even better, they offer brown rice and steamed options with sauce on the side for a healthier option. I am addicted to the hot n’ sour soup and chicken lettuce wraps. When I’m feeling naughty, the crab rangoons and Kung Pao Chicken are totally awesome. One note: there is a $2 delivery fee if you live downtown.

Jj Bistro, located in the heart of Downtown, offers up all your standard Chinese favorites as well as some new offerings you may not have tried before. And that’s what eating out is all about. Go ahead, order something new and see if you really do like the whole halibut, with his cute little eyes still sitting there staring back at you. Jj’s also delivers and has some teriffic specials all day long.

I have never even attempted cooking anything asian, let alone an entire meal. I do, however, like to pretend I can cook up a mean rice noodle bowl with hot chiles and shrimp and, well, whatever else is supposed to go in there, and when I do, I head to Little Saigon. You’ll know it’s legit because of the hords of Vietnamese customers filling their baskets with their weekly goods. Since I don’t know what half of it is and I need to brush up on my Vietnamese, I tend to gravitate towards snacky dried goods, the gigantic tea aisles and, yes, rice noodles. Their good with just some broth and green onions.

Domo Restaurant is half about experience and half about the food. From the moment you enter the door you know you’re in for a treat. Small tree-like stumps serve as a seat (sometimes that extra cushion does come in handy!) and you’ll sit inside a sun filled room to begin your lunch. Lunch is my favorite time to go because of the sights to be seen. If you’re lucky enough to snag a seat in the Asian garden with blossomed filled trees and koi ponds, you’ll think you’re in another world. Light entrees with miso soup, seaweed salads and tasty Japanese fair are the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Even if you live in the suburbs you can find spectacular sushi. Osaka is located, well, in a strip mall of sorts but do not let that scare you away. They may not spend a lot of time on the decor and surroundings, but that just allows them to splurge on what really counts: fresh sushi. Try one of your favorites or look to the daily specials for what may be the chef’s latest creation and your new secret lover.

17th Avenue is making a name for itself with all of the great restaurants popping up here and there. Chada has been around a while, able to hold it’s own amongst neighbors with much fancier tablecloths and pricier menus because it does a really good job at preparing Thai. This neighborhood loves Chada because of the convenience, consitency and quality of the food. I see lots of regulars coming in after work to pick up their order to go, as well. That’s a true sign of dedication to your noodles.

Once I finally found the place, hidden in the corner of a little strip off Federal, I immediately knew I was in for a treat. How? The 3 other noodle houses next door were empty and Duy was filled! And it was worth it. Service was similar to every other pho house I’ve been to….brisk, to the point, no messin around. The plate of herbs,lime, jalapenos and bean sprouts arrived quickly but with no cilantro and very little mint. However, the broth was simply so delicious….I hardly needed my regular fixins! Also, no shrimp chips to snack on before(I know…its strictly pho) and no alcohol. After work on Thursday night…mama needs a glass of wine. I will return to try more of the options, which include rare beef, briscuit, flank, tripe, tendon, chicken, meatballs, vegetarian and shrimp. Pho-nomenal!

Awesome Vietnamese food, great for groups. There is one dish that is perfect for 4 people. It literally has 6 different items to sample and try, and you get to dig in and try your hand at rolling spring rolls, and sampling things you might not give a shot otherwise. Honestly, I didn’t even know I liked Vietnamese. I can’t wait until my next trip back. And the menu is so big it is hard to choose, but I imagine everything is delicious. Everything I’ve tasted is outrageous. WE WANT THE PHO….Gotta have that Pho. I did and I loved it. Meatball and meat pho was FAWESOME! I am so going home tonight for leftovers. That shish is the bomb! The broth was rich and flavorful on it’s own, then with the noodles, meat, onions, and goodies I added (mint, sprouts, lime, jalapenos, hoison, schriacha, and air kisses…..). This is my absolute favorite Vietnamese in town.

A mecca for Asian foodies and best known for it’s dim sum brunches, this restaurant really does deserve the name Superstar. Another stop for regulars and many of them Chinese themselves, be sure to get there early on the weekend or make a reservation because this place fills up fast. Your dim sum stays on my mind.

Chopsticks gets mentioned among all the foodies’ memoirs for the most authentic and tasty Chinese in the hood. If you love potstickers, or dumplings or wontons, what have you…..go here. Now. You’ll also be surprised at how fresh the ingredients are and the abundance of real Chinese options.

This Asian inspired market not only sells all the little spices and ingredients you’d expect to find at an Asian store, but you’ll also find rare candies and desserts as well as accessories and gifts. This is a fun stop whether you are looking for a gift or dinner.

There are a few of these Asian boutiques around Colorado. If you are tired of just reading about feng-shui, get in here and buy some of the more modern Asian furniture and decorations here to make your home an Asian oasis.

Looking to add a little zen to your den? This antique gallery was one of the first antique shops I visited when I came to Denver, and it’s been too long since I’ve gone back. Even though I’m pretty modern in most ways, I adore antiques for all of the history and stories that come along with each piece.