Red Pearl Kitchen

The Scene
Wander down the curved pathway from the door to the bar and dining room to enter one of downtown's most buzzing scenes. Red walls, black furnishings, lanterns and basket weave ottomans give this downtown hot spot an edgy, Asian ambiance. Flat screens, exposed industrial lighting and the crowd of young, downtown club-goers add an urban twist. Standard pan-Asian categories organize the menu--dim sum, noodles, wok dishes--but the preparations are anything but ordinary. Wok-fired cashew chicken packs a punch with a spicy garlic sauce and crunchy celery, while the fried rice pleasantly surprises with pulled chicken and mango chunks. Edamame are flash roasted instead of steamed and lettuce wraps come with crispy duck, mushrooms, and spicy peanut puree. If the hot, hot menu gets your pulse racing (it will), a sweet scoop of mandarin ice cream or a sake-poached pear are the perfect cool down.