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

Our new favorite restaurant 8/30/2006

We've been there 2x and are pleasantly surprised every time! \r \r The ambience is great, several different rooms for different moods. The Azia Roll is killer! The martinis are delicious, esp the ones with fruit puree. We're adventurous with Asian food, but not with sushi, and find something new and delicious at each visit. The unagi is the freshest I've ever had. They even substituted blue crab when we asked if it was available and it wasn't.\r \r Service is attentive, quick and helpful. It even fills up fast on a Tuesday night. I can't wait to return! Pros: Great atmosphere, food, drink & service Cons: Parking may be challenging when busy more
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Fresh, unique, inspiring, hip, friendly 7/30/2006

I've dined at AZIA about 5 times since it opened. With all the restaurants to try in the Twin Cities you could never return to one restaurant and enjoy a multitude of pleasant experiences. But for a restaruant to call you back, and at the suggestion of its name cause you an instant smile and ""yeah, let's go there"" response, it takes something special. AZIA has that. Good food, certainly, great presentation and pizazz. But the personal interest of the owner whose presence allows you to feel secure you will be taken care of help put this good experience restaurant at the top of any list of must go. Pros: Hip factor, atmosphere, food Cons: sometimes iffy on the server experience more
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YUM! 7/24/2006

LOVE IT- the atmosphere is great. The dress-code claims to be casual- but the dinner crowd is always dressed very nice. The service is always good and the food is even better. Great for a special occasion.\r I love the lettuce wraps, cranberry puffs, and the fresh spring rolls. Their drinks are creative and yummy!!! Great late night specials and happy hour!\r Pros: Food, Service, Drinks Cons: Can be expensive more
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The food and service were great but the atmosphere was NOT 7/12/2006

We went 7/12 and it was 90F outside. We sat inside because it was hot. After we ordered appetizer (cranberry puff, toro sashimi, and scallops all GREAT!!,) we noticed it was getting warmer. We asked the server and were told that the owner likes an open atmosphere. We noted all of the doors were opened, but the air was on in the bar area and that was cooler. By the end of dinner we had moths and flies at our table. If we wanted to eat outside on the hottest night of the year so far we would have. We asked the server again about the heat and it was made clear the owner does not care about anything but the open environment. Good luck to the people who will go to Azia this weekend when it will be nearly 100F. \r \r We will not return. The sushi and sashimi are very good but much higher priced than other sushi bars. Pros: The food and service Cons: In the summer it will be HOT more
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Sake lovers DREAM! 6/3/2006

I fell in love with my first glass of Nigori Sake last summer. When my veggie Pad Thai came I was pleasantly surprised, spice and flavor was balanced. I have been back 3 or 4 times since last August. I just went last night with a large group of co-workers and it was the first time I had a server seem a bit short, we were ordering drinks and talking and it seemed like we needed to hurry it up, but I had my Sake so all was well. Other times I have been there on a date Thom has seated us; it is nice to see that even when his business is obviously a success he is still out interfacing with his customers. The prices aren't cheap - and this isn't a chain, if you want cheap food you know where to get it. Pros: Atmosphere, Sake, Menu more
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Great place! 4/24/2006

This place is FAR better than some places in uptown with gold, sparkly signs! Love the atmosphere. Service is very friendly but somewhat slow/spotty sometimes. Love the cranberry puffs!! Sushi is good, food is good, sake is good. Pretty expensive, though. Pros: atmosphere, food, free parking Cons: spendy more
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Great food, but not so great service 4/18/2006

The food and sushi was awesome, and came in great portions, BUT the service needs improvement. The servers are not snotty, but you do actually get to see the owner work. It took us 30 minutes to be seated even though we made reservations 2 weeks ahead of time and have confirmed it twice before the actual date. They hosts are very rude and acts like they don't see us waiting. The drinks are way over priced and not that great. It is a very loud and crowded enviroment. I don't know if I would go back, but if I do it is because the food is great! Pros: great food, great sushi, romantic Cons: expensive drinks, bad service, loud & crowded more
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Umm...lack luster at best 4/9/2006

We went to Azia hoping for a new and fun experience. We left feeling, well, disappointed. The food was average-Pad thai was ok, beef was tender and probably the best bet...and finally the appetizers were the only worthwile items on the menu to enjoy. Lots of sake if you like it. Overall, it was just not my thing-but I know that it works for other folks. Pros: Ambiance, Drinks Cons: Taste, Parking, Value more
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Really don't want to return 4/7/2006

We tried to use a gift certificate, and ended up with one of the worst nights in recent memory. Which manager thought it would be a good idea to hire someone with zero personality as a server? Who thought it would be appetizing to cover a slightly fishy-smelling piece of walleye with a tasteless neon-green sauce? And who lets their valet company charge in advance ""to guarantee we get paid""? Azia, I know you could do better! And that gift certificate? Wouldn't take it. So now we have to try again. Pros: Nice crowd, Friendly managers Cons: Awful server, Poor food, Bad valet service more
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keep rockin' azia!! 2/13/2006

I don't usually like to write these kind of reviews, because I'm a food snob, and like to keep my little havens a secret, lest they get too overrun with people to let me get in anytime I want, but I recently heard something that disturbed me a bit at another eat street joint. I won't say which one, but I overheard one of the managers of this place (we'll call it restaurant x) say that they had written fake reviews here bashing my beloved Azia, and he was laughing about it!! I know the restaurant business is hard, but I CANNOT fathom how anybody could ever do this to a fellow establishment in the business community, and simple jealously of success cannot and should not explain it. So here I am, touting my Azia, and telling all of you to try it, because the proof's in the puddin', er...rice!!!! Pros: atmosphere, lovely staff!!!!!!! Cons: makes others jealous, more
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food and wine lover 2/12/2006

I had a birthday party at AZIA (in the most beautiful room in the back side of the main dining room). The food was unbelievable, and the staff was the most professional I have seen yet in the twin cities. I just wanted to say thank you an I love U AZIA!!! Pros: Friendly greeting, warm atmosphere, wonderful wine list Cons: staffs are too hot more
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Over-priced, not great sushi. 1/31/2006

I have no idea how they came up with their drink price in that location with that quality - this one kind of sake I tasted was $25 a bottle, when you can find the exact same kind of sake at other Japanese restaurant in town at $15. Sushi is far from being authentic, and was more like a shopping-mall kind. I have never been impressed with either Azia or Anemone. Cons: low quality, high price, Loud more
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So Glad we went to Azia 12/22/2005

Holiday gathering with friends in from Seattle. Had some a wonderful dining experience. The food was excellent! 5 of us and not ONE complaint heard about anything. A little pricy for some of us, but well worth it. The cranberry/cheese wontons were Fab! Will be back again....... more
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Hot spot, warm service, cool atmosphere 10/19/2005

I went here with a group of my girlfriends for a reunion. We were seated in the back room, a sexy, dark spot that looks like a chic Hong Kong dining spot. The other dining room was dark wood and large windows with a classiness that would please anyone who is on a business lunch or dinner (I brought it up to my boss the next day!). Our server was well informed about drinks, wine and food and gave great recommendations (the Cranberry curry is a must try!). After dinner we went to the Caterpillar Lounge - a hip twenty to thirty something crowd listening to a great DJ. I would come back here in a heartbeat and have been telling my friends about it ever since! Pros: Ambience, Service, Food more
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My favorite spot for dinner and drinks!!! 10/19/2005

I've been a dedicated customer to azia for the past two years. With every visit I am greeted with a warm welcome from one of the friendly staff members imediatedly at the front door. I've been fortunate enough to try just about everything on the menu, especially the latenight happy hour. Which I highly recommend!! No matter what you'r tastes are, your sure to find something that you like. With an extensive sake and wine list and a discounted latenight appetizer special me and my friends are always satisfied. I can't wait until they're finished with new sushi bar expansion. Azia is a must for any occasion. more
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All components mastered 10/5/2005

I had such a delightful time. It's rare to find all of the pieces fit so well. Pros: parking, attention Cons: heavy plates more
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Arrogant Waiter, Great Food 9/26/2005

I recently dined at Azia with several friends. The food surpassed my expectations and was excellent. The service, however, may be the worst I've ever had. The waiter was arrogant to the point of being rude. When we asked questions about menu items he stuck his nose in the air and described them as ""passable"", ""not recommended"", ""atrocious"", etc. He managed to criticize all but his personal four favorites. The waiter is not doing the restaurant, or the chef, any favors. The food arrived at different times and when we asked the waiter about it, he replied that it would ""be a while, after all it is Saturday night."" It's hard to believe that a waiter could ruin an evening, but unfortunately, he managed to do so. Too bad because the food was great. Pros: Food, Drinks Cons: Service more
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Never will go back 9/25/2005

I was impressed with Bon Appetit's rating of Azia and chose it to celebrate my wife's birthday and entertain 2 couples. The waiter's arrogance was laughable at fist, but after several snips directed to individuals in the group, was downright unacceptable. The entrees arrived in bits and pieces to the table, and took 5 minutes from the time of the first entree to the arrival of the last. After a complaint to the owner, service midly improved and desert was comped. Lastly, the waiter arrived with the check and stated that he had taken the liberty of splitting the bill three ways. Insulting and inappropriate, particularly given the fact that we were the hosts. Cons: service more
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Delicious, Fantastic, Lovely, Romantic!!!! 9/8/2005

I found Azia on citysearch, and what a find it was! My boyfriend and I arrived arouind 9:30pm on a Friday night, to be greeted with warm smiles, and no wait. We were seated immediately in a romatic booth, the only light being the small candle on our table. He had the special, Alaskan Salmon with Wasabi Mashed Potatoes, and I had the Coconut Curry Chicken, both fantastic. Service was excellent, with the chef even coming out to ask us how our meal was. Absolutely over and above my expectations. My Boyfriend and I have found our new favorite resturant!! We will be returning VERY soon! Pros: Free Parking, Delicious Food, Romantic more
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Azia's Palace of the Cranberry Puff 7/2/2005

There is something about this Asian... excuse me Azian Night Spot that leaves a fire in the heart, and I'm not talking about the Jalepeno/Basil Sauce. It's probably the only place in Minne that doesn't seem contrived or desperately contriving. Where else can you get a five star meal, a top-notch server and watch a DJ master beat at 2:00 AM on the prairie? I think no wheres. Pros: Dished up Goodies, Bathrooms, Patio 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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