Spot 1 Cafe, New York

Not content with simply recreating an entire menu of familiar Japanese and pan-Asian dishes, Spot 1 Cafe's chefs occasionally look for inventive ways to distinguish their cuisine. This doesn't mean that the classics aren't readily available—the selection includes whole barbecued squid, vegan spring rolls, and hearty ramen soups brimming with everything from pork to grilled eel. At the same time, the chefs break from tradition by creating burgers that feature beef, pork, shrimp, or eel sandwiched between patties of rice or pan-seared noodles instead of the traditional hamburger bun.