We started out with drinks while we looked over the menu. There aren’t more than 20 main dishes, but trying to decide which one to get, and which one will go with what appetizer is a difficult and painstaking task. For an appetizer we ordered the Panfried Chicken Potstickers with sundried tomatoes, fried basil and balsamic-chile oil. Our main course followed with the Crispy Tangerine Duck with curried crepes and blackberry chutney. The two of us split both dishes and were full. It was so delicious and though the entire meal we kept saying "Oh my God, did you try some of this" There were garnishes that were so delicate and pretty, yet very tasty. Chef Deborah Scott puts things together that you wouldn’t even dream of. The theme of the restaurant is "where Southeast Asia meets the Southwest". As full as we were, we had to get a dessert and went for the Potted Brownie with warm carmal topping and Kemo Sabe ice cream. We couldn’t finish it, probably because the Potted Brownie seemed like a mixing box of warm Brownie, underneath a half gallon of Ice-cream, not to mention it was sitting in a pool of caramel. There was also this animal made from chocolate coming out of the dish that enthused the three year old next to us. Yes, you can bring kids here and they can order food from Corvette Diner next door.

This restaurant is an absolute must here in San Diego!!!

We were warned -- by everyone from our local friend who recommended the place, to our very own waitress -- to order absolutely no more than one appetizer and one entree for the two of us. Apparently the portions are tremendous and that would be plenty. Unfortunately, as it was almost 10pm when we sat down and we were starving, we were overcome by the classic eyes/stomach disconnect and ordered two apps and two entrees, plus dessert. The food was fabulous, but I really didn't need another meal for about a week after all that!

The portion sizes are in fact gargantuan, but really delicious. The favorite among regulars is the Roasted Nut-Crusted Fried Brie (really low-fat I'm sure) which sports, and I quote the menu, "jalapeno jelly, grilled squaw bread, chile-rubbed tortilla & honey roasted garlic". It all works beautifully together, the creaminess of the cheese alongside the grainy corn tortilla and crunchy nuts, with spicy jalapeno adding to the mix. Also delicious was my Chicken Satay Stack - tender chicken breasts grilled in a spicy peanut satay sauce stacked like pancakes, garnished with a fruity salsa and something called a 10-spice plantain.

The dessert was out of control: the "Potted Brownie" topped with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream. Nothing subtle or delicate about this dish... super-sweet and a great way to round off all the spicy flavors of the dinner.

All in all, a great meal with some extremely unique flavor combinations. But do take my advice: unless this will be your only meal for a few days, use restraint when ordering!