Catchy Russian music plays in the background, and Raya Yuryeva stands behind the counter, waiting to greet customers. With smooth olive skin, high cheekbones and smiling eyes, she’s just one of the beauties at Asian Café on East Sprague. The second is a hefty 500-pounder that stands watch over the dining room. With lots of curves and striking earth tones, this creature’s beauty is more utilitarian: The round Uzbek tandoor oven turns out flaky, meat-filled pastries called samsas. There’s a second, larger tandoor in the kitchen, used to bake crispy-chewy lepeshka bread topped with black and white sesame seeds.
The decorative-tiled tandoor takes center stage in the restaurant, complemented by the ceremonial black velvet robes with luxurious gold embroidery that line the walls. The six-table restaurant specializes in cuisine from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, all former Soviet republics.
Kirsten Harrington 