Typhoon

The great diversity of the Pacific Rim is celebrated at this lively Santa Monica Airport restaurant owned by pilot/naturalist/musician Brian Vidor, who also owns the acclaimed sushi bar upstairs, called The Hump. A glitzy backlit navigational map of the Pacific lies behind the bar, while enthusiastic patrons sample exotic cuisine at tables with panoramic views of the airport activity.

The restaurant has the casual, comfortable ambiance of an old-fashioned aviators' club. Here you'll find at least something from every major Asian cuisine: pancit noodles from the Philippines, gyoza from Japan, Szechwan scallops from China, samosas from India, satays from Thailand, and pho from Vietnam. For those with an adventuresome palate, the menu also offers Manchurian mountain ants, Taiwanese stir-fried crickets, spicy deep-fried scorpions, and 3-inch-long bamboo termites.

Bon appetit! Dinner for two: $65.