607090 Thu Mar 26 14:47:00 -0700 2009 4 8 Midwest 0 4541585 My sister is coming to town and I'm taking her out to eat. She likes most kinds of foods, but we're kind of thinking Vietnamese or Thai, I live in New Brighton, so I don't want to go more than 15 minutes away. The thing is that she's kind of a fraidy cat. She's from Rochester, and gets really scared when we go into "the hood" (AKA University Avenue) to eat-even in the middle of the day. I want it to be about 40 bucks for both of us. Any ideas? Thu Mar 26 14:47:00 -0700 2009 171426 jenniegirl 1 4541605 How about Obento-Ya? Thu Mar 26 14:53:39 -0700 2009 4541585 10514 KTFoley 2 4541611 Second attempt to add the link Thu Mar 26 14:55:04 -0700 2009 4541605 10514 KTFoley 1 4541912 Obento-Ya is a good idea, if you want Japanese. The food is great, and it's in a pleasant neighborhood near the U of M. For Thai, how about Sen Yai Sen Lek on Central Ave. at Lowry? The neighborhood is a big more "urban", but you owe it to your sister to gently teach her that the big city is a safe place! One more idea, though it's not Asian: Birchwood Cafe. This charming place is smack in the middle of one of the nicest neighborhoods in Minneapolis, four blocks from the Mississippi river - take her for a stroll before or after dinner. You could even use a coupon from the Blue Sky coupon book (I saw your other question at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/607100 ). Anne Thu Mar 26 16:35:55 -0700 2009 4541585 12541 AnneInMpls 1 4542793 Bahn Thai cuisine is along the Mason-Dixon line in Plymouth/New Hope. The food rocks, but the ambiance isn't going to wow anyone. Off topic, but why not Barley John's? I mean, when in Rome... Thu Mar 26 23:14:47 -0700 2009 4541585 263371 kevin47