"This is a love story," Joy Khan, the owner of Cheers Thai Restaurant, explains on her website. "I fall in love with my customers." That's true both literally and figuratively—in fact, she met her husband while serving him her native cuisine. She also relishes the opportunity to share those meals with anyone else who comes through the doors or, less orthodoxly, the windows.

The dishes her customers have fallen for the hardest showcase a range of bold flavors. There's broccoli and basil, sparked by chili paste; string beans paired with stir-fried chicken; and pad ped pork sweetened by coconut milk and bell peppers. And if guests want to linger here a little longer on date night, it's easy thanks to treats such as thai iced coffee and coconut ice cream—with two spoons, of course.