Not every restaurant promises to make you sweat. Sawatdee does so proudly. Owner Supenn Harrison's "five-pepper system" allows diners at her many Twin Cities-area Thai restaurants to choose their levels of perspiration, from the one-pepper "slightly beaded brow" to the five-pepper "I need a towel." Sawatdee's flavors don't just hit the hot spot; the menu explains that Thai cuisine balances all tastes – sweet/salty/sour/bitter – in its dishes. The original Washington Avenue restaurant opened in 1983, and other locations quickly followed. All are warm, mellow spaces decorated in red, blue and gold tones – nicely balanced between casual and elegant. A bustling atmosphere prevails during the day when heat-seekers pour in for the generous lunch buffet. Things get romantic at dinner, with dimly lighted rooms, couples in curvy booths and light jazz in the background. Whether you're lining up at the steam table or ordering off the menu, it's hard to resist sampling all of the starters: The chicken satay, papaya salad, spring rolls and tom yum soup are all delicious. Try the shrimp and scallops with garlic sauce entrée or the Rama Thai Delight, tender chicken with a peanut-curry sauce over spinach. Cool your palate at the end with fresh mango and sticky sweet rice. The express location on Marquette Avenue offers a limited menu of Thai fare and wraps. Full bar. Serving lunch and dinner daily. Hours vary by location.