City: Hartford, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (860) 247-5654

Address: 17 Asylum St.

Description: This modern Asian lounge is somewhat of a nightlife spot, but its appetizer/dim sum/tapas menu has made a lot of fans, enough so it qualifies as a pub. The food is Asian fusion, although you can find particular Americanisms throughout, like the “sliders” that come in teriyaki, curry, and ginger flavors, or the sweet and sour meatballs. The Scorpion Bowl is the clear favorite among the drinks, but the Lychee Bellini is also delicious, perhaps too much so, because you don’t even realize its alcoholic. And, of course, if you’re a sake fan, they have plenty of choices. There is also a location at 182 Temple St. in New Haven (203-772-7900). Either one will make you feel like you’re in Tokyo’s bright light district, and though it isn’t a real yakitori bar with grilled chicken livers and other organs, it’s as close as we get in Connecticut.