ARLINGTON. Cafe Asia's eclectic menu boasts entrees from Vietnam, China, Japan, Indonesia, and Korea. As a result, there are plenty of options for everyone. Start with gyoza (Japanese dumplings) or hot and sour soup. Then, order an Asian Green Salad, tempting nasi uduk (sampler platter of Indonesian delights), or traditional pad Thai. Lunch specials and dinner bento box combos are especially affordable. Happy hour also helps out the budget with discounted drinks and sushi. Outdoor dining available. Casual dress. Reservations suggested for large parties.

ARLINGTON. In an area dubbed "Little Saigon" (for its concentration of Vietnamese restaurants), this establishment stands out from the pack. Family-owned and operated, it offers inexpensive meals cooked to perfection. The unadorned interior may not grab your attention, but spicy-hot cuisine certainly will. Try sugarcane shrimp, ginger chicken, skewered seafood, or soy-marinated pork for simple, inexpensive, and satisfying dining. Vegetarian fare and beef and poultry dishes can also be had. Casual attire.

BETHESDA. Swiftly becoming one of Bethesda's more popular restaurants, this upscale Vietnamese establishment makes fans of everyone who attends. The menu features both sweet and spicy entrees, including sugarcane shrimp, Chilean sea bass, and lemongrass-scented duck breast. The welcoming, sophisticated interior features high ceilings, tiny lights, bamboo accents, and muted wall colors. Smart casual dress.

ARLINGTON. Great for upscale Asian cuisine, this restaurant offers lovely outdoor seating and is popular for lingering lunches and romantic dates. You'll truly feel as if you've entered a garden, whether you dine on the greenery-lined patio or in the tropical dining room. Great spring rolls and spicy-hot curries draw raves, of course, but you'll also find unique entries like caramel chicken, ginger-sauced flounder, and shrimp-stuffed crepes. Plenty of affordable noodle dishes make the restaurant a quick and affordable option for lunch. Casual attire.

ARLINGTON. This Clarendon Vietnamese favorite sets a sophisticated stage with high ceilings, generously spaced tables, large windows, and black furniture. Daily specials and a menu with more than 100 choices make decisions difficult, but, start with spring rolls or shrimp-and-sweet potato cakes, and you'll know you're on to a good thing. Notable entrees include deep-fried red snapper and grilled beef short ribs. The menu also has a wide selection of soups and rice plates. Smart casual dress.