CAPITOL HILL. Situation: you're craving sushi, your friends are clamoring for lo mein, moo shu pork, and pad thai. Solution: Chinoise Café. This Pan-Asian restaurant chain (with four locations, all in Seattle) ignored the usual "one-cuisine" rule, and subsequently built up quite a following for itself. With nary a bad choice on the menu, you really can't go wrong, but favorites include sushi and sashimi dinners, tamarind basil seafood, and anything with Thai garlic sauce. Service is efficient and friendly, and there is a good selection of wine and sake.

FREMONT. A distinctly contemporary scene of exposed ductwork and sleek concrete walls sets the stage for one Fremont's more exceptional dining options. Well-dressed young professionals and hip college kids who frequent Chiso heap high praise on owner-chef Tai Chi Kitamura's skilled renditions of sushi ­ yellowtail, scallop, octopus, and eel in particular. Thrown in for good measure are a number of vegetarian dishes and a selection of sakes. Reservations not accepted on Friday or Saturday evenings.

DOWNTOWN. Serving excellent Pan-Asian cuisine from breakfast until late-night, this eatery happily accommodates a host of patrons. Skillfully prepared dishes incorporate the signature flavors of China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. Needless to say, the menu offers a wide variety of imaginative selections. Sushi roll lunch boxes, lemon chicken, and Chinese sausage fried rice are among the most popular choices. Servers are knowledgeable and friendly, bartenders are proficient, and prices are reasonable.

LAKE UNION. The name of this restaurant leaves little doubt about the specialty of the house. This is the place for sushi lovers, and a crowd of professionals from the local high-tech companies shows up daily for lunch. The menu includes excellent sashimi and sushi rolls, including the famous Spider Roll, as well as great miso soup. A wide selection of vegetarian options is available as well, such as various tofu, noodles, and vegetable tempura dishes. Good sake selection, too.

BELLEVUE. The name of this restaurant leaves little doubt as to its specialty. Frequented by a host of folks who love well-prepared raw seafood, it's also a favorite of professionals from local high-tech companies, who show up daily for lunch. The menu includes fresh, excellent items, including the famous spider roll, great miso soup, and crisp tempura dishes. Salads, plenty of tofu options, and combination plates add to the possibilities.