Jasmine Thai and China Bistro in Saline was the first restaurant I was assigned to review, in 2004. After 2 visits, I was won over — and felt fortunate for this great gig. But even though I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, I rarely returned. The high prices and distance were the big deterrents. Now, the owners, husband and wife Calvin and Phet Young, have closed the place. They opened a new restaurant in September that’s far more convenient to central Ann Arbor — Asian Fuzion Café, across from Arborland.

Asian Fuzion Café is significantly more understated than its Saline predecessor. While the décor of the first restaurant was spacious, upscale and elegant, with many rooms for dining, this smaller space is basic, with some tables and booths and scant decorations on the walls except for 2 large flat-screen televisions. Phet Young said that since the kitchen is smaller, they cut 25 percent of the menu from their Saline restaurant. But fortunately, what remains the same is the wonderful, high-quality food. And the biggest benefit of all are the lower prices. There are many generous-sized entrees in the $10 range.

Though the menu is a bit smaller, Asian Fuzion offers many classic Chinese and Thai dishes. We started with the delicious crispy veggie spring rolls, which were lightly fried and chock full of vegetables. I thought the dipping sauces for this dish and others were bland and too thin. Crab rangoon had an abundance of cream cheese but not a hint of crab meat filling. It was one of the weaker offerings.

What I like about Asian Fuzion is its ability to add a slightly different touch and improve upon rather ordinary, standard Chinese offerings. Wonton soup was remarkable, full of a variety of silken noodles along with the wontons, served in a delicious chicken broth. Chicken lo mein was addicting, full of smooth noodles, cooked and seasoned perfectly. The sesame chicken had a delicate, sweet, brown sauce coating that kept the chicken moist and flavorful. The only weak spot among our entrees was the beef with garlic sauce. The beef was overcooked, the sauce dull, with no trace of garlic.

All the Thai offerings we tried were standouts, especially the tom kha (Thai coconut soup). A terrific melding of sweet, salty and sour, it combined coconut milk, mushrooms, herbs and lime juice, along with big pieces of shrimp—an absolute treat for the palate. Drunken noodles and pad see u had a smooth texture and were delicious.

Even basic vegetarian dishes, like tofu with mixed vegetables, had a sauce that provided satisfying kick and flavor. And the basic eggplant was one of the most substantial and delicious vegetarian entrees I’ve had. Thai basil, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and bamboo shoots provided the right accent for the eggplant. Though we ordered the dish mild, it had a slight spiciness.

Service was on the slow side on our first visit, but the second time, the server was incredibly attentive and prompt with our food. I would rate Asian Fuzion Café as one of the best new offerings of Thai and Chinese food in Ann Arbor.

Asian Fuzion Café 3452 Washtenaw Avenue Ann Arbor 734-929-1239 Asian Fuzion Café in AnnArbor.com restaurant guide Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Friday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Plastic: Visa, Mastercard. Liquor: No. Prices: Moderate. Many dishes are in the $11.00 range. Value: Excellent. Noise Level: Quiet. Wheelchair access: Yes. Smoking Section: No.