Dao Modern Asian Cuisine, Mason

A huge circular teppanyaki grill sends up plumes of fragrant smoke from the focal point of Dao Modern Asian Cuisine’s dining room as chefs deftly sizzle up meats and seafood across its surface. Aside from a venue for the chef’s showmanship, the grill serves as a conspicuous sign of Dao Modern Asian Cuisine’s commitment to cooking dishes fresh to order. In addition to Chinese stir fries, chefs showcase dozens of other Asian specialties: they simmer Thai curries, roll up more than 30 sushi rolls, and fuse together Korean classics such as bibimbap. Additionally, chefs offer a smattering of vegetarian and gluten-free dishes.

Dao Modern Asian Cuisine introduces Western eyes to Eastern-style architecture, exemplified by the restaurant’s pagoda-style façade. Asian hanging lamps, dark wooden ceiling risers, and golden sheets of glass emblazon the dining room and create an elegant atmosphere where eaters with nomadic tastes can sample international dishes sans fanny pack.