Lotus 8, Folsom

A beautiful flower and a lucky number. Looking for an auspicious beginning to life as restauranteurs, the culinary minds behind Lotus 8 combined these two elements into a name. Like its title, the restaurant's cuisine is a combination, too, blending authentic Chinese flavors with plenty of contemporary twists. Nothing here is precooked or parachuted down as a care package from the kitchen of Air Force One–chefs prepare dishes to order using fresh seasonal ingredients and less salt and oil than traditional Chinese cooking. The result is a menu packed with popular entrees, such as honey walnut shrimp, sizzling black pepper beef, and Mongolian lamb. Lotus 8 also boasts a special tasting menu with dishes crafted from the chef's secret recipes.