There's something comforting about watching your food being prepared while you wait. New Pot's open kitchen lets you witness the magic. The huge open space may seem a little over-the-top to some, but most consider the environment casually hip. Service can be a teensy bit slow at times, but once your fried red snapper or spicy curry fried rice arrives, you'll forget about the wait and realize why it took a few extra minutes to prepare. Each dish comes piping hot and prepared nearly perfectly. Fried wontons are a favorite, as well as savory soups and a well-above average pad thai. Parking is a piece of cake.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Michelle Burton