Azia & Caterpillar Lounge

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2550 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404

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(612) 813-1200
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Azia & Caterpillar Lounge - Minneapolis, MN
Reviews
( 79 )
( 19 )
( 11 )
( 10 )
( 23 )

Best

I am a regular customer at Azia and find the entire management and staff to be exceptional. I have had the pleasure to have met Paulo Morales and find him to be extremely profess...

Worst

Closed

Under cover disaster! 6/23/2007

HORRIBLE FOOD, SERVICE & PRICES!!!! RATED -1!! I had a party of ten and let me say none of us were happy. First, the lighting was terrible. I needed to use my cell phone light in order to read the menu. Two, we waited nearly an hour for our drinks and two hours for our food. On top of that they don't know how to make their drinks or create food dishes. The classic mixed drinks were straight alcohol which defeated the purpose of a ""mixed"" drink. Apparently there was a happy hour after 10pm, but the waiter never mentioned it. As for food we ordered lettuce wraps which were $18 and was only adequate for one person. We had to ask for more lettuce because it only came with 5 little leaves. Can we say cheap? With that in mind, there is your reason you can't find the prices listed on there website. Also, the entrees were the worst creations. The Walleye had a paste on it that made the meal look like green eggs and ham. Plus the taste must be in comparison too because my friend ran to the bathroom to toss his cookies after tasting it. I know my order and two others orders were taken wrong, so that added frustration. To end this disasterous night the bill was over $500 with 6 items on it that we had never ordered. BEWARE!! Cons: Everything more
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This is a can't miss! 6/1/2007

I have had sushi before, but really only the American rolls (Philadelphia and California) and was a bit leary of trying authentic sushi...but I'm so glad I did! The fish is unbelievably fresh and flavorful and most portions are so large I always leave full! We also had the edamame and Azia has left me aching for more! Pros: Food, ambience Cons: Parking, expensive more
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Delicious Hamachi Kama 5/15/2007

Azia's always been a favorite of me & my fiance's. When its warmer out, they open the large windows in Anenome and have tables set up alongside-- its really romantic for a late night dinner. Although I'm not to fond of their sushi rolls, I do however, love the hamachi kama. My fiance's favorite is the kannon steak and potatoes. Also, dress nicely when dining here or you may feel uncomfortable! Pros: Valet Parking, Food, Service & Ambience Cons: Sushi needs some work more
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Awesome food and atmosphere 4/10/2007

We had a group of six of us and the service was excellent and the food was outstanding. We had the Herb Spring rolls as an appetizer and they were so light and delicious. I had the Mongolian Steak and my husband had the Pad Thai Steak, both were excellent. We will definitely be going there again. Pros: No kids, romantic, fun atmosphere more
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I love this restaurant!!!! 4/2/2007

I love Azia! I've probably been there 15 times and had a great experience every time. My favorite thing about this restaurant is that it offers something different than most restaurants in the Twin Cities. Although I have so many favorites on their large menu, I always try something new every time I visit. Try their fabulous desserts-yummy! For appetizers my favorite is the crab rangoon, potstickers, and beef tenderloin satay. For entrees I love their cranberry chicken curry and indonesian shrimp, scallops and calamari. They have a ton of vegan-friendly dishes also. If you want to experience something different and unique, try Azia. They offer something for everybody. Pros: Menu, atmosphere, friendly staff more
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OVERPRICED 4/1/2007

Went there the other evening with some girlfriends. Was impressed by the beautiful ambiance and the warm staff that greeted us. However, got sticker shock from the first moment we arrived. Paying $5 for valet service when they didn't even move my car. Had planned to order a glass of wine but found the house wines to be incredibly overpriced. Ended up ordering a $12 martini that tasted like a shot of straight liquor - awful! Our food was decent but to pay $18 for noodles - YIKES. Let's just say we experienced buyers remorse. Not sure if I'll be back, unless I hear that they've greatly reduced their prices. Or go there and SLOWLY drink a $3 fountain soda (the cheapest thing available) while enjoying the lovely atmosphere. Pros: lovely atmosphere Cons: price, valet $5 more
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Wonderful Restaurant! 3/27/2007

Azia has been my favorite restaurant for the past year. Each time I visit, my experience gets better and better. I attended a birthday party this past weekend and had a phenomenal lobster sashimi dish specialized by the sushi chef. I highly recommend this! Try the crab rangoon as well, this is a great appetizer-although all of them are very tasty! Thank goodness summer is right around the corner because they have a great patio area. Thank you Azia for making my visits spectacular as always! I will continue to be one of your loyal visitors! ~Angela Pros: FOOD and ATMOSPHERE Cons: No cons that I have found more
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If you don't look the part don't bother dining... 3/19/2007

DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMENDED. I've dined here a few times in the past before this incident and have yet to be pleased or to be treated with the respect that i am PAYING for. Recently my friend and I decided to get a drink on a Friday afternoon 3/16/07. We decided to sit at the bar, since we weren't planning on ordering food. My friend, who was white and female asked the waitstaff to be directed to the restroom, which the waitstaff kindly gave directions to and pointed out. Shortly after I also had to use the restroom, so I politely asked the bartender where the restrooms were located. His exact response was, ""I AM REQUIRED TO ESCORT YOU TO THE RESTROOMS..."" I noticed that the people next to me, had stopped eating and looked our way as if I were a threat or causing some sort of trouble. The last time I was escorted to the bathroom was when I was 3 yrs old and it was by my mother and I'm 27 now; I really don't believe I need someone to follow me to the restroom. He left the bar unattended just to walk me to the bathroom. I was shocked he didn't offer to hold my hand. I've been apart of this industry for years and so has my friend and to be treated like this is an insult. Along with that, to be Asian and to be PROFILED like this in an Asian restaurant is appalling; maybe they should rethink their customer demographic base if they plan on escorting every young person who doesn't look the part to the restroom. Pros: Beer Cons: Service more
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Incredible-Bring your guests to this place! 3/7/2007

My mother flew in from out of town and I brought her to Azia. It was a busy Saturday night, but we were promptly seated in the Anemoni room. We had the best time! The sushi was the best that I have had in Minneapols (And i have tried a lot of restaurants). The sushi chef was very welcoming to not only myself and my guests, but to everybody who walked in. My mom is hard to impress and she could not stop talking about this place!! Azia is wonderful for locals, but definitely a great place to bring out of town guests as well! Pros: Fast service, sushi, music, lighting, people, staff Cons: Their parking lot was full-but we just used valet instead more
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This place is awesome!! 3/5/2007

I had heard about Azia many times from my friends but never visited until recently. What a delight! The staff was so welcoming the second I walked into the door, and our server Mike was great! We ordered the cranberry puffs and I got the walleye for dinner which was very tasty! Afterwards we went into the caterpillar lounge--beautiful!!! Overall I was very impressed with the service, food, and the crowd. Very cool place and I can't wait to return. Pros: The food, service, drinks more
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Good Food - Terrible Service and Attitude 3/1/2007

Azia was ""The Place"" we would take our friends for a guaranteed great night out - NOT ANY MORE! \r The food is still good, but the last two times there, the service and attitude of the management has been terrible. You know the kind, because they are so popular, you really don't matter. We went there again thinking that the other time was just one of those bad nights - the same attitude. The food was not coordinated between the two kitchens - half our table was almost finished before the other couples food came out. ..and then the manager said it was our fault because we ordered food that required both of their kitchens. That is Azia's business - not he customers. Once again, popularity has given the management staff a reason not to pay attention to the customer. ?and we had been fans of Tom Phan?s before he even opened this establishment! Pros: Good Food Cons: Poor attitude by staff and management more
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Delicious sushi, convenient parking- you must try it out! 1/21/2007

My boyfriend and I frequent the Anemone sushi bar located inside of Azia. We've found that the prices aren't bad (especially if you order from the Chef's Select portion of the menu) and the sushi itself is always perfectly fresh and delicious. You must try the chef's select 3 maki rolls for $13.95! The price really can't be beat and I've never, ever been disappointed with the selection. Try it out!! Pros: Easy parking, wonderful sushi Cons: The drinks are kind of spendy more
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Best night - any night on the town! 12/16/2006

Long time reader, first time reviewer.\r \r I've been frequenting Azia & The Caterpillar Lounge for 3 years. I can honestly say that when I'm in the mood for a great meal - there's just about no other restaurant worth the gamble. I highly reccomend the happy hour menu for those on a budget - my friends and I usually gorge ourselves on the chicken wings and cranberry puffs. If a sit down dinner is more up your alley - the steak & potatoes has never let me down. I also enjoy retiring to the Caterpillar lounge after my meal where I can check out DJ's playing everything from soul and r&b to dance music. Seriously, not just a Friday & Saturday night spot. I can't wait until it gets warm again, because their patio is a great place to have a cocktail and just people watch. If you've never been, you've got to stop in! Pros: Food, service, specialty drinks Cons: The parking lot fills up fast on the weekends! more
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Overrated 12/8/2006

Big disappointment! I went for happy hour, and sat at a table in the bar area. It was NOT busy and there were a number of servers just standing there, with several walking past me - not acknowledging my presence. After ten minutes, I had to walk up to the bartender to ask for service. The server who finally showed up was rude and annoyed that we had to ask for service. The potstickers were soggy and the cranberry puffs were too heavy. The drinks were delicious, but could not save me from going again. $30 later, my boyfriend and I left crabby, unsatisfied and irritated. If you want trendiness at the price of good food and service - then go. Otherwise, save your money. more
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Best Sushi 11/22/2006

This restaurant is great, the atmosphere, the food, the service. Highly recommended, great happy hour. Pros: Valet Parking more
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Where are all the well-deserved accolades? 11/13/2006

Wow, I am amazed that there is only one review on CitySearch, and a negative one at that! We return again and again to AZIA for several reasons: fabulous ambiance; superior staff and management; yummy drinks; and tasty food, not to mention the ability to order sushi till midnight. Yes, it can be expensive, especially the drinks: but they have a pretty good happy hour deal late at night on selected drinks and appetizers, so you can get away with a little less cash. Expensive as it is, I wouldn't say it is without value, if you value things like great crowd watching from a comfortable seat and friendly staff who genuinely seemed pleased to see you there. We're often seated late on a Saturday night without a reservation and the joint is still jumping.\r \r I'm kind of a pain in the behind to please when it comes to the small things, and AZIA has never disappointed. We love it and love to go there because we're guaranteed a wonderful time. Go already! Pros: Staff and management, ambience, drinks Cons: Happily, there are no cons at AZIA more
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love this place 11/4/2006

really love the atmosphere and food, great first date place and love the decor, prices are great and good wine list Pros: food, deccor Cons: prices more
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A Must Try 11/2/2006

One of the best experiences I've had, this is truly a place to try. The food was incredible and very inventive. The atmosphere is calm and fun at the same time. There were numerous people tending to our table, including the owner who oversees the staff and chats with patrons as they dine. While I only peeked into the lounge/bar, it looked like a great place to grab a drink and appetizers. Pros: Delicious food, great ambience more
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Charged me for improperly prepared (seriously undercooked) lobster 10/14/2006

Had pretty good food there until once I ordered a lobster tail dish. It came with the center RAW!\r I told them that I can appreciate a good piece of tuna or salmon done rare, but shellfish is not\r served this way. They offered to cook it more, but I declined. I had already chewed it - that's \r how you find out it's raw! They didn't offer a new piece of lobster. Guess they didn't like the idea\r of trashing something so costly. Did it occur to them that I really didn't like having to pay so \r much for something inedible. I paid & left 20% for the waitstaff, after all it's not their fault.\r That was over a year ago & I've yet to return. People often ask me for restaurant recommend-\r ations. You can guess what I say about Azia. A pox on them!\r more
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Quelle surprise 9/18/2006

I was hesitant to try this restaurant - I admit that I am not an adventurous eater whatsoever. My date chose the restaurant and I was a little wary of such eclectic food combinations as read on the website. But, ""quelle surprise""! I ordered the dish that seemed the ""tamest"" (chicken teriyaki I think) and I LOVED it. I tried a few bites of my date's entree and enjoyed that as well. The waitress seemed a bit... flighty and pretentious, which I ignored. I didn't get a chance to try the bar. It seemed a bit chilly inside - don't wear a sleeveless dress as I did. Pros: not for kids, great food Cons: chilly room, snooty waitstaff more
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Menu for Azia & Caterpillar Lounge


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An uber-hip hangout with imaginative, Minnesota-influenced pan-Asian fare.

Owner Message

  • 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.

Editorial

  • 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...

  • 6/16/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-2am Sun 3pm-2am
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Discover, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Whittier, Powderhorn
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