Azia & Caterpillar Lounge
An uber-hip hangout with imaginative, Minnesota-influenced pan-Asian fare.
(612) 326-6356
2550 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis,
MN
55404
44.9564
-93.2779
Neighborhoods: Powderhorn, Whittier
What People Are Saying About Azia & Caterpillar Lounge
The Owner
Azia & Caterpillar Lounge
Owner
Located on eat street in Uptown, Azia has brought a new kind of sophisticated, yet laid-back eloquence to the diversified Nicollet Avenue strip. The winning quality of this restaurant has been recognizes by being named Bon Appetit's "Where to Eat" in 2003 and 2004.
As one critic states, "Sacred Asian art meets James Bond chic." Let Chef and Owner, Thom Pham, take you on a culinary adventure ranging from traditional stir frys to a North Woods Walleye in Jalapeno-Basil sauce, to a perfectly braised tenderloin topped with an exotic Asian mushroom demi-glace. When you visit, chances are good that Thom himself is on site and tending to every guest as though he's invited them for a private dinner party. In fact, fundamentally, he has.
Azia also offers a wide variety of original house cocktails, the largest sake menu in Minnesota, a refined wine and list and beer, bottled and on tap.
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
Black leather jackets are de rigueur on Azia's slick clientele, who congregate at high booths and little tables. The place suits any mood, with a bustling bar up front; an inviting main dining room with cranberry-colored walls; a Chinese-inspired black-and-red middle room; and a "Star Trek"-like lounge for sake and desserts. The menu encompasses much of Asia's cuisine with pizzazz: curry with cranberries, spicy cream cheese puffs, fried Minnesota walleye with a neon-green jalapeno-basil sauce.
User Reviews
Gunzer
May 20, 2009
3 of my favorite things, all under 1 roof! 1. The best happy hour in town! It happens twice a day from 3pm-6pm & from 10pm-2am. Although I'm usually at work during the earlier, I make it as often as I can to the late night! 2. My favorite patio for people watching! Sure, Uptown has some great corners and spots - but the patio at Azia makes for an uncomparable experience! Great food, and unbeatable views! 3. Sushi! I love sushi, and the creativity of some of the rolls is second to none! Add on top the freshness of the fish itself & that 2 of the rolls are available during happy hour - and BOOM! We've got a winner!
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legalista
May 11, 2009
First, this is a go-to place for me...and a short walk from home. But a visit last week had me scratching my head: why do I ALWAYS need to ask for the happy hour menu during happy hour, and what is that god-awful reek near the bathrooms? The managers are always pros, but this bit about the HH menu irks me: do you want people to drop $$ when they can or not? Please reconsider your water element near the bathrooms (or work on a filtration system), and give the latter a good bleaching. The rank smell seriously ruined my appetite.
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iamafoodie
March 18, 2009
I wish I wanted to eat there, but I don't, and I won't. What is served and the manner in which it is served are unbelievable. Check it out. There's a good chance you'll be just as unlucky and disappointed as I have been. Bon appetit
read full reviewThe Details on Azia & Caterpillar Lounge
Where to Sit:
The main dining room offers the best people-watching and the warmest atmosphere.
What to Drink:
The cocktail list is chock-full of tropical delights--don't miss the flaming Molotov mojito.
Save Money:
From 3 to 6 pm weekdays, Azia offers small plates for $4.95, including Tom Pham's famous sushi rolls, potstickers, cranberry cream-cheese puffs and more. Certain red and white wines are half-price, and the normally expensive fruity drinks go for a little less expensive $7.
When to Go:
Late-night crowds gather here of the late-night Happy Hour (same as the one that runs weekdays from 3 to 6pm), and for the DJ spinning club hits in Azia's Caterpillar Lounge. Looking for low-key? Azia has that, too, in the restaurant's main bar and dining area.
Category:
Payment Methods:
American Express, Debit Card, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Private Rooms, Romantic Dining, Special Occasion Dining, Outdoor Dining, Theater District Dining, Group Dining, Happy Hour, Bar Scene, Notable Wine List
Cuisine:
Eclectic & International, Pan-Asian & Pacific Rim, Japanese, Thai, Asian, Vegetarian, Seafood, Chinese, Vietnamese
Smoking Permitted:
No
Message from Azia & Caterpillar Lounge
- Enticing happy hour features
- Full menu served until 2am
- Music nightly
Located on eat street in Uptown, Azia has brought a new kind of sophisticated, yet laid-back eloquence to the diversified Nicollet Avenue strip. The winning quality of this restaurant has been recognizes by being named Bon Appetit's "Where to Eat" in 2003 and 2004.
As one critic states, "Sacred Asian art meets James Bond chic." Let Chef and Owner, Thom Pham, take you on a culinary adventure ranging from traditional stir frys to a North Woods Walleye in Jalapeno-Basil sauce, to a perfectly braised tenderloin topped with an exotic Asian mushroom demi-glace. When you visit, chances are good that Thom himself is on site and tending to every guest as though he's invited them for a private dinner party. In fact, fundamentally, he has.
Azia also offers a wide variety of original house cocktails, the largest sake menu in Minnesota, a refined wine and list and beer, bottled and on tap.
