Saigon Cafe (Elmwood Ave), Buffalo

Vietnamese-born Tai Truong emigrated to the United States and worked his way up in the restaurant business until he became co-owner and chef at Saigon Cafe. Gayot describes the restaurant’s menu as “a refreshing and tasteful array of pan-Asian classics,” including grilled duck with tamarind and catfish in a spicy caramel sauce. Green, red, and mango curries envelop pieces of chicken, and vibrantly-hued broccoli and carrots pop against the bong cai’s brown sauce.