THE ASIAN WAVE INTENSIFIES: It’s the major restaurant trend of the season, with openings of Asian restaurants that range from the splashy and inventive to the humble neighborhood spot. On the splashier end, we’ve seen the openings of Fuku, Kabuki and Palm Sugar – on Clematis Street alone. Imoto, chef Clay Conley’s Asian eatery, popped up in Palm Beach. Delray welcomed Union and Candyfish sushi bar. Northwood embraced Malakor Thai Café. Jupiter welcomed Red Corner as West Palm diners flocked to Pho 16 on Military Trail for soulful Vietnamese fare as Lake Park saw the opening of Pho & Hot Pot Vietnamese. Soon Kabuki will be serving its sushi and Thai tapas at a second location in the PGA Commons (formerly inhabited by Sushi Jo, which has moved to the Loggerhead Plaza in Juno Beach). In Delray, Buddha Sky Bar, the popular second-floor lounge on a prime Atlantic Avenue corner, is expanding as we speak. Next month, it will be open on the first floor as well in the form of a 120-seat space to be called Buddha Garden.

HERE FOR THE BEER: It’s flowing like water, the craft beer in these parts. With the opening of Due South Brewery in Boynton five months ago, locally brewed beer is more widely available at restaurants across the county – Due South beer is sold in more than 90 South Florida restaurants and bars. The brewery joins Tequesta Brewing Company in spreading the local brews to discerning beer lovers. Add to that the rise in specialty beer events and beer dinners and you’ve got quite a sudsy scene rising to craft greatness.

REVIVAL AT THE PLAZA: While the brand new Delray Marketplace is under construction on West Atlantic Avenue, both CityPlace and Downtown at the Gardens plazas are in the midst of mini-revivals. The Delray Marketplace, planned for a 2013 opening, will bring a multiplex cinema, bowling lanes and a range of dining options, from Max’s Grille to Shula Burger to Famiglia Pizzeria. (Groundbreaking is Dec. 2.) At West Palm’s CityPlace, five new restaurants are in the works: Pampas Grille (Brazilian), Mellow Mushroom (pizzeria), Mojito Latin Cuisine & Bar, Revolutions Bowling, Bar & Grille (early next year), Brio Tuscan Grill (later next year). Meanwhile, Downtown in Palm Beach Gardens awaits the opening of Red Tapas Bar & Grille (Opens Oct. 25) and Texas de Brazil churrascaria.

DELRAY-MANIA: Lively Atlantic Avenue continues to add options to its dining scene. With the $5 million renovation/ creation of sister eateries Boston’s on the Beach, 50 Ocean and Sandbar, the dining district’s easternmost stretch along Ocean Boulevard is seriously happening. Add to that this year’s openings of Park Tavern, 75 Main, Salt Seven, the coming expansion of Buddha Sky Bar, the advent of a Racks eatery, The Grove, Cabo Flats and Bistro 241, and the relocation of DIG restaurant to downtown, and you’ve got yourself a considerably larger scene.

DOG EATS AND DOGS: Booming Boynton just gave dogs the paws up, allowing them to join us on restaurant outdoor patios, as more spots become pooch-friendlier. When it comes to the other kind of dogs, the kind you dress not in pink frills but in hot mustard and relish, well, those are more rampant on the dining scene as well. You can get some delicious examples of the latter in West Palm at the recently opened Chicago Food Shack (in the old Dolce de Palma space on Old Okeechobee in West Palm), in Lake Worth at the new Poutine Dog Café as well as the Ps561 food truck, in Jupiter at either location of Das Dog, in Boynton or Boca at Hotdogopolis. The burger craze may be alive and well, but this season’s going to the dogs.