Straits is the place to go if you're in the mood for some adventurous Asian-inspired dining. I'm a huge fan of Chef Chris Yeo's spicy Malaysian-Indian-Chinese offerings, such as murtabak (stuffed Indian bread), chile crab, basil chicken, nonya daging rendang (beef simmered in lime leaves), ikan pangang (banana leaf-wrapped barbecued salmon with chile paste), and, hottest of all, his green curry (prawns, scallops, and mussels simmered in a jalapeño-based curry). The stylish restaurant -- practically glowing with its profusion of polished woods, stainless steel accents, and gleaming open kitchen -- is located on the fourth floor of the fancy new San Francisco Centre (right above Bloomingdale's in fact), so you can squeeze in an afternoon of power shopping before your culinary adventure begins.

Reservations: Reservations recommended

Transportation: Bus: 2, 3, 4, or 38