There’s no kitsch at Szechuan Chef, located in a Bellevue strip mall. The decor is sleek and understated. This restaurant is all about the food—particularly the spices, which come in abundance. Helpfully, each dish is assigned a certain number of peppers to tell you how hot it is. Don’t wimp out, because the best dishes tend to have the most peppers. You could spend a lifetime working your way through the gargantuan menu, with offerings like chili crab, braised whole fish in “supreme sauce,” and cumin lamb, to name just a few. Even those with tamer tastes will find plenty to keep them satisfied. NINA SHAPIRO 15015 Main St., Bellevue, 425-746-9008, szechuanchefbellevue.com