The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

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We had a delightful dinner at Jasmine 26 last night — a dramatic improvement over my visits last summer, shortly after the Vietnamese bistro at 26^th and Nicollet opened its doors. Most of the Vietnamese staples are offered, like the spring rolls and egg rolls, and pho, for a dollar or two more than you might spent at Quang or Pho Tau Bay, or at the original Jasmine Deli, kitty-corner at 2532 Nicollet, but Jasmine 26 has a lot more to offer — including a date-worthy Zen atmosphere, a full bar, and a more varied menu that ranges from sweet potato shrimp toast and a lively banana blossom salad to grilled lemongrass baby back ribs and caramelized catfish served in a clay pot ($15).

The appetizer of sea salt and pepper cubed tofu ($6), deep-fried and crispy on the outside, silky on the inside, is worth the trip all by itself, and the lettuce rolls with shrimp, egg, mint and cucumber, tied in a bundle with fresh cilantro are a fresh and light variation on the usual spring rolls. The usual noodle stir-fries and noodle salads are offered ($10-$12), along with some less familiar options - including grilled shrimp tossed with fat udon-style noodles in a very rich and savory coconut cream sauce. My bowl of beef stew with carrots and potatoes wasn't quite as lively as the version I had recently at Quang's, but still good enough to be enjoyable. We barely had room for the dessert - tart slices of ripe mango in coconut over sticky rice.

A couple of beers and wines - including Sapporo and Kirin on tap, and an Australian cabernet and chardonnay are offered for $3 a glass.After 10 p.m., there's an expanded list of wine, beer and sake for $3 a glass, plus bargain-priced appetizers, sandwiches and salads (all $4), and noodle dishes and soups ($6).

Jasmine 26, 26th & Nicollet, 612-870-3800.