Yi Lu House, Beijing

The subtlety and zest of Vietnamese flavorings, the riot of taste and color that is Thai cuisine, and the infinite variety of spices from the Indonesian archipelagos seduce fans of Southeast Asian cooking in this charming little restaurant. The atmosphere is understated - lime walls, low lighting and a smattering of ethnic trinkets - but the food is superlative. A Chinese/English/picture menu, arranged by region, entices diners with offerings like Green Papaya Salad, Fried Crab with Curry Sauce, exquisite Spring Rolls and even Hainan Chicken from China's very own tropical island paradise.