Sometimes you take a chance on a new dish at an old favorite and it’s not quite right for your seasoned tastebuds. Too sour, too sweet, too spicy to entertain a second tasting. Your tough luck? Not at Fire Bowl Cafe. On a recent visit, a typically subtly flavored dish turned out to be overwhelmingly salty. One bite of their pad thai swimming in fish sauce, and I knew it would be impossible to make a dent in, much less finish, the bowlful. It was either leave moping and hungry, pay for another meal or request a replacement. I decided to try the last option, politely informing the manager-type behind the counter. He happily offered to replace my order. I considered asking for pad thai again, this time with less fish sauce (the apparent culprit), but then conservatively went for the make-your-own veggie bowl in a sauce of my choosing—the ol’ kung pao. Within minutes, the bowl of steaming veggies and tofu in a tasty kung pao sauce on brown rice arrived at the hands of an employee, followed by a cheerful inquiry as to my satisfaction a few bites later. Rating: Happy! I’ve enjoyed Fire Bowl Cafe for years, but this experience makes it my top pick for a casual bowl of custom stir-fry.

Fire Bowl Cafe, (512) 899-8998, 5601 Brodie Lane Ste 550, Austin, TX 78745