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

Style and Grace 1/2/2004

We found Azia. Find Azia. It reminds me of some of our restaurants in Europe. The food is what it is - very good but sort of confined by arctic access to full freshness. The drinks and the atmosphere make most Twin Cities restaurants seem like corporate cutouts or sad amateurs. Even the music seems fully thought out. Pros: cocktails, "smart" patrons more
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Simply awsome 10/16/2003

This place was really fun. A total asset to the South Mpls hood. The mango mojito is worth the trip alone! more
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Eatin Good in the neighborhood!! 10/9/2003

I loved Azia from the moment I wlked in. The menu is amazing, so many things I have never seen befoe - Walleye in jalapeno herb sauce, Cranberry Curry, and Jack Fruit Chicken...(What in the world is jackfruit. Anyways, i wen on a date and we had the cranberry puffs, Salmon in Mango Basil and a sticky rice with coconut ice cream. Woohoo, it was the food was SOOOO GOOD! I am not usually one for experimenting with food but here at AZIA I am glad I did and so was my date ;) Pros: fun atmosphere, reasonable prices, new dishes Cons: hard to choose, hard to find more
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a gem is found 9/22/2003

I went to Azia when they first opened and had an ok experience and did not pay much attention to going back, however i often overhear people talking about how much they enjoy going there. my boyfriend and i decided to give it another try becasue every where in uptown was closed and i can not tell you how much that place has improved. we took the city pages suggestion and ordered the cream cheese wontons which rocked. our waitress suggested that we try the walleye (dont let the neon green sauce itimidate you) and a couple of their martinis. we had a great time. everything was candle lit and the music was definitely what i wanted to be listening to (air). asia is defenitely a place we will be going to again (especially late at night) Pros: service, late menu, drinks more
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Wonderful time. 9/22/2003

I'll start by saying this. The place is fun, the food is unique and spicy(even the puffs), which by the way dance in your mouth with a sweet spicy explosion that makes your mouth scream in delight. You will love the decor, with it's giant pillars, a shining metallic ceiling, and beautiful pieces of art clevery set around the dining room. This is what it would feel like to dine in an 'Azian' art gallery with music ranging from techno to taiko, meanwhile you are slowly seduced by the feel that we are all on an adventure into new lands of asian cuisine, with only our chopsticks to save us!!! Adventure, class, fun and romance; AZIA is here for us all and I would take advantage of it. Pros: Decor, Food, Relaxed Cons: Bathrooms(who's who's more
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Rude service and terrible food 9/16/2003

The person I was dining with received a tofu dish that was obviously overcooked. When this was brought to our waitress's attention she instantly developed a hostile attitude. We asked to see the manager, but ended up waiting. The manager tried to resolve the issue and apologized for the waitress's attitude, but the long wait and the ""attitude"" had already done its damage. Later, I learned a friend had a similar experience when she went there a few months ago. For the money you pay, you expect to have courteous service. If Azia expects to command these prices with poor service on ""Eat Street"" they better start packing. There's no contest when you can go up the street to other restaurants and receive a $5 meal and great service. Other reviewers referred to Azia as a ""gem"" but they should look closer because this gem has plenty of imperfections. Pros: atmosphere Cons: service, food more
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Classy Joint 9/5/2003

I really only had drinks and not the food, but it's a nice place with the coolest restrooms in town. Period. The Asian bartender girl was great, and this place has the best real Margaritas in Mpls. I say this, because they use that special Margarita salt that melts in your mouth, and that's important to me. While people may complain about the drink prices, no booze is cheap in Mpls. restaurants because of the liquor tax, and because that's where they actually make a profit for the establishment. If one is concerned about parking, take a bus or a cab, just don't drink and drive. Pros: Fancy restrooms, Great cocktails, Pretty female staff Cons: Expensive drinks more
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Sweet but good 8/17/2003

We stumbled across Azia by accident and have been back twice now. This is a great spot for drinks. Fabulous (and very strong!) martinis and nice atmosphere. Make sure to check out restrooms. I agree that many of the meat dishes are covered in a overly sweet sauce, but I enjoy it. My sister swears by the pad thai. Our service has always been prompt and the staff very friendly. Pros: fabulous martinis, extensive tea list, sidewalk seating Cons: pricey more
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For classy people only 7/26/2003

If you live in a rented studio in a 100 hundred year old brownstone, then Azia's is not for you. This restaurant is more than about just cuisine. It is classy, hip, and very attractive. So what if the martinis are $10? If you cannot afford the price then go to PHO 79. If there is no parking, take a cab or just walk a few blocks. Azia's reflects the zest in life. Pros: excellent cuisine, clean bathrooms, wonderful martinis more
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Should've read the editorial review... 7/10/2003

and have skipped coming here, but I guess you have to at least try it once, right? In this particular instance I'd say no. I ordered the Azian salmon, and as the editorial review pointed out, it was too too sweet - what a waste of good salmon. I don't think I'll be coming back here again because there are better restaurants to dine at on Eat Street like Rainbow and in nearby Uptown like Kinhdo - got to try the pad thai here. It's absolutely addicting. Pros: atmosphere, Outdoor dining Cons: food, price more
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The Most Wonderful 7/2/2003

We had an excellent experience here. Very romantic, GREAT food, GREAT drinks, EXCELLENT wine list, and a wonderful and attentive staff. We have found a GEM. Great for late night or parties. I strongly recommend trying this place out, I don't think you'll be disappointed. Pros: food/drinks/wine, great.menu, atmosphere! Cons: parking more
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A Mixed Bag 7/1/2003

I appreciate Azia's lovely decor, comfy sidewalk seating, and cute bar. I also appreciate the helpful host and the (mostly) attentive waitstaff. What I don't appreciate is paying $10 for a martini or $22 for a plate of seabass that would be better at a suburban chain restaurant. I'm glad we have another stylish, classy joint on Eat Street, and I think Azia will make it. I just wish I wanted to eat there. more
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Wonderful! 6/30/2003

This place is a gem. The food is flavorful and authentic. Every dish and appetizer I have tried has been great. Fun atmosphere and a great staff. Perfect for a romantic dinner or a night out on the town with friends. Pros: Great food, Fun atmosphere, Attentive staff Cons: Parking more
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Mark Stribe 6/25/2003

This is truly an interesting spot - Good interesting. It's wild seeing the vast difference in reviews here. I think a lot of people are upset about the gentrification of the neighborhood, which I can understand. But the truth is... the place is a gem. The food is not five star, but it's certainly the best Asian in Minneapolis. Pros: atmosphere, "real" people Cons: gentrification, parking more
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No way. I am not coming back. 6/2/2003

The foods are unbelievably bad... no such thing as creativity at all. I had a vietnamese curry, which I did not know why they named it so at all. It was just bad. Bad bad bad. I will never come back to the place again. more
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Bad Kharma Spot 5/29/2003

At the outset, Azia looks impressive. The interior decor looks fabulous. They've done a marvelous job renovating what use to be a death spot for restaurants. Consider the many predecessors that folded before Azia: Trieu Chau, Dragon Phoenix, and a couple others that already have escaped my mind, but you get the point. This is a terrible spot for a restaurant. The food is okay, but it is way overpriced. A cup fo plain rice for $3? Who's crazy idea was this? The service and ambience are good, but they are not enough to get customers coming back. Pros: nice decor Cons: no parking, expensive, slow more
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Good Service BUT horrible food 5/12/2003

I agree also with Mr. Eat's comments. I tried this place a couple of times and there won't be a 3rd time. For the first visit the food was unedible, so I thought it must have been an off day, so I gave the restaurant a 2nd chance and found out that I should have stopped at the 1st visit. The service was good along with the environment but you can get that anywhere. For a restaurant you want good food and you will not get it from here. I don't know how some people rate this place a 10. Come taste the food here for yourself if you don't believe me. Pros: environment Cons: food, food, food more
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No attitude, better food 3/12/2003

For those of you who hang at the Lake/Hennepin corner for Asian fusion, this is better! Better food, better portions and no attitude. In fact, you may feel pampered. A beautiful space filled genuine people, not overrun by suburbanites...yet! Pros: urban/trendy, fantastic food, great service Cons: off beaten path more
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Must try 3/9/2003

This new restaurant is a ""Must Try"" for Minneapolis. The decor was charming and romantic. The service was prefect and the food was both unique and perfectly done. The owner seemed omni-present but far from annoying -- in fact, quite the opposite. He was charming and helpful. This is my new ""hot spot."" Pros: Perfect service, Creative menu, Perfectly prepared Cons: Slightly expensive, Somewhat busy, Not a place for kids more
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great food & Veg friendly! 3/7/2003

I brought a large group of people to Azia for a birthday dinner, and the restaurant was more than accomodating. Our waiter was wonderful & patient, the manager was very friendly, and the cook staff was great! We had a table full of people with diet restrictions and the waiter & kitchen came through for us quite well. Extremely vegetarian & vegan friendly. It's a little pricier than some asian restaurants, but not outrageously so (Apps are a bit expensive, but our entrees only ran around $10-12). The atmosphere is wonderful, and one feels like they are at a much fancier restaurant where entrees go for $30 or $40. Definately will be back as often as possible! Will not take reservations, but you can call ahead to get on the list during busier times. Azia is owned by the same family who owns Thanhdo in St Louis Park. Pros: Veg*n friendly 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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