What would happen if you crossed the movie set design of Men in Black with the television show Mork & Mindy and added a pinch of Big Apple panache? You'd get the Thai tapas restaurant Sura. The inside of this spot feels a lot like a modern art museum; it's all white except for the occasional red accent wall or stainless accoutrement, and there's not a straight line in the house. In the waiting area hang pod-like chairs—imagine a clear Christmas ornament with a hole cut out for you to sit in—and the dining tables are wavy triangles with more spaceship-style seating. In the main area, there's a spot for a DJ to hover over white plastic turntables. Each Friday and Saturday night you'll hear house and techno coming from this high-art installation.

Though it sounds intimidating and possibly cold, Sura actually comes across rather fun and comfortable. The company that owns Sura also owns several restaurants in New York, and it decided to expand to Chicago because of its similar dining culture, says general manager Kittiwath Jangwang. "My boss came here many times and loved the city," he says. "There's some New York style here."

The bulk of Sura's menu features Thai-influenced tapas, like coconut-crusted shrimps with plum dip, taro egg rolls, duck crepes with basil and peanuts and saffron mussel soup. Main entrees include steamed fillet sea bass, bouillabaisse Thai-style, teriyaki-glazed red snapper and crabmeat fried rice. The small plates cost $4-$6, while entrees average around $14.

Centerstage Reviewer: Christy Bonstell