Miranda Dotson, Dining Writer

Looking for a new spot for Asian cuisine, a place where you don’t have the menu memorized? A recently opened restaurant downtown, Xia, is it. Boasting “Asian Fusion Cuisine” – a mix of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai – Xia blends tried and true dishes with a flavor all its own.

The name Xia alludes to the Xia Dynasty, the first ancient Chinese dynasty on record. A little off the beaten path, but fairly easy to find, Xia is located just off Fourth Street in downtown Winston-Salem. A small patio leads to the front door, making dining inside or out an option.

Xia doesn’t require a reservation, and it’s new enough that when a friend and I walked in at dinnertime on a Friday night, we were seated immediately. Some of Xia’s tables can accommodate up to eight people at once, so feel free to bring all your friends along with you on this adventure!

The themed decor of the restaurant’s interior is pronounced in several ways, from the black tables and dark red walls to the Zen influences. Bamboo shoots serve as centerpieces on the tables, and cloth menus are rolled up into hollow bamboo containers. A water wall covers a wall and the ambiance is completed by various Asian paintings placed strategically to envelop diners in their experience.

For those over 21, Xia offers an extensive sake and wine menu at the beginning of the meal. There are many different appetizers to choose from, and the waiter will be more than happy to help you narrow down your top choices. The Crab Wontons ($6.25) and Chicken Lettuce Wraps ($6.95; vegetarian version also available) are delicious. Other options range from Spicy Chicken Wings, to Crispy Calamari, to Thai Peanut Noodles. The appetizers are all priced reasonably, from $3.50-$6.95 each.

Soups and salads are offered as well, either for starters or as entrees. The main entrees, priced from $6.95-$15.95, are as diverse as the appetizers and broken down into three categories: Noodles, Rice and Lo and Chow Meins. Singapore Street Noodles, stir fried in a spicy curry sauce, and Double Pan-Fried Noodles, with vegetables and choice of protein, are wonderful selections. Every course is served very promptly and with great attention to the customer’s needs. The lunch menu is the same as that for dinner, but because they’re larger portions, there’s a necessary price increase, although only slightly.

For vegetarians, tofu can be substituted for any other protein (beef, pork, chicken, or shrimp) for a $1 additional fee. Fried or steamed rice are options to go along with your meal, and you can tell your server how spicy (or not, as the situation may be) to make your dish.

Don’t expect to be carrying home anything with you, unless you arrive already full. Xia’s plates aren’t small, but perfect portion sizes. Served quickly, their dishes leave you just as satisfied as Goldilocks in the house of the Three Bears.

Servers are attentive to make sure that the food is satisfactory and that your every need is met. It almost seems like they are trained mind readers; the second you think you need more sweet tea, here comes a pitcher to fill your glass!

If you want to eat in the comfort of your own apartment or dorm room, try take-out. To-Go menus are located at the front door and the brownbag service is prompt.

Xia has a great atmosphere, excellent service and reasonable prices, along with a varied menu that deviates just enough from the norm to keep things exciting. The restaurant further enhances the diversity among venues in the Winston-Salem area, and is a trendy place that will catch on very quickly.