• Calamari $11.95 (shared)
• Spicy Lettuce Wraps $15.95
• Almond Joy $5.95

A few years ago I read and article that said one should not drink mixed drinks before or with dinner as it dulls the senses and makes you eat too much. We do not talk much about what we drink with dinner in our reviews, but since that article I have tried to stay away from cocktails in favor of a glass of wine, bubbly if possible, or ice tea.

Azia is the kind of place that almost demands a cocktail and not just any cocktail, but one of their special cocktails. A table next to us ordered a captain diet. It simply sounded funny in the atmosphere. If one were to stray at all from their drink menu, you would go with something like a Tanqueray 10 and tonic. This is a place to be seen, which is not doubt why we were seated the backroom, and you simply do not order a captain diet coke at a place to be seen.

To get to the point, I ordered a cocktail from their menu, the strictly ballroom martini, it was fabulous. But like most martinis it knocked my socks off and I did eat way too much and I think the food I ate was a bit spicier than was advisable for the amount I ate so I was awake all night, but I think the food was good.

As I mentioned, we were in the backroom which really was the much quieter room so it was great to be there. Their menu is quite large and it has lots of unusual combinations so I wish I had been there with a larger group so I could have tried more things. The waitress was very helpful and actually made a recommendation which was great since by this time I was a quarter done with my martini and having a challenge making my way through the menu. We started with the calamari. I have had better calamari, but the dipping sauces were very good. My spicy lettuce wraps were pretty spicy as the name would imply. They have a two star system of rating spiciness, mine was one star and I am not sure I could have handled two and I traditionally like and am able to handle spice fairly well.

The Almond Joy dessert and tea - yea! honest to goodness loose leaf tea - was very good. The dessert was a coconut ice cream with coconut milk and chocolate sauce on top.

A friend of mine had been there a couple of months ago and said she had found the food too spicy, even though she too can tolerate spice and suggested that it would be a good place to go for dessert and drinks. I am not sure I would go that far as I liked my entree and I would like to try some of the others, but the desserts and drinks do seem to be their strong suits.

• Carmellia $19.95
• Banana Roll $5.95

After reading the professional reviews for Azia, I have a better understanding and appreciation for the restaurant. For a while, I thought we might be losing it: liking a trendy Eat Street establishment that is more flair than substance. That is the beauty and downfall of our ratings and our process. We go to a restaurant once and in Azia’s case, we ordered some likeable dishes.

The calamari was overpriced, to be sure. But that didn’t stop us from enjoying the sauces that made the appetizer worthwhile. One mild but flavorful green sauce and a sweet and spicy red sauce were great accompaniments. The calamari itself reminded me more of a plateful of onion rings. That is, the calamari consisted more of breading and deep-frying than calamari. But then again, most Minnesotans may not really like the rubbery texture of calamari or squeamishness of thinking about eating squid. So the calamari at Azia is safe.

My Carmellia was very good. The shrimp were properly done, and there were enough shrimp to satisfy my appetite. The accompanying pecans caramelized added an unexpected and welcome richness to the dish. The noodles on the side added a finishing touch that kept the entree balanced. Overall, the entree didn’t take any big chances, and its straightforward flavors and good ingredients kept it agreeable.

The highlight for me in terms of price and quality was the dessert. We should look back over the last few years and come up with a list of places we’d like to go back just for desserts. I was very happy with the banana rolls served with ice cream, and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. Azia is also a good spot for tea with dessert. Hmmm, maybe that's another list in the making.

Some might claim that it was on the high side for prices, but that’s comparing it to low overhead Asian competitors. It is true that there are several better Asian restaurants, many within walking distance of Azia. I think it’s also true that a few extra dollars for a great atmosphere and service are also worth it. For the price, Azia will not make my top Asian list, but it is certainly worth a trip if you are so inclined, and worth going back to if you like the trendy atmosphere, good service, and decent food. As an FYI, we were seated in the back room of the restaurant, past the kitchen, near the restrooms, which was much quieter than the front room. The front was a little too noisy for our ears as we were walking out. But that’s our preference, too, a little less hustle and bustle.