The dollar's weak, airfare is outrageous and you even have to pay to bring a bit of luggage onboard. Who can afford a trip abroad this summer? Over the past year, Rocky dining critic Lori Midson has been bouncing around the culinary globe without stepping foot in DIA. Some capsule reviews of international fare within our own area codes:

Asian

Nguyen Hue

333 S. Federal Blvd.; 303-922-5774 or nguyenhuerestaurant.com

* Grade: B

* How much: $1.75-$19.95 appetizers; $4.95-$20.95 main dishes; $4.75-$5.25 lunch specials.

* Be sure to try: pho, canh gu dôn that, Curi

Chopsticks China Bistro

2990 W. Mississippi Ave.; 303-936-1506

* Grade: B+

* How much to bring: $3.99 to $9.95 soups and starters; $4.25 to $26.95 entrees

* Be sure to try: hot and sour soup, pork dumplings, F20 soup, fried string beans, dan dan noodles

Mexican

Lola

1575 Boulder St.; 720-570-8686, loladenver.com

* Grade: A-

* How much to bring: $5 to $15 starters; $16 to $32 entrees; $5 to $14 brunch

* Be sure to try: Caldo de mariscos, made-at-the-table guacamole

Tambien

250 Steele St.; 303-333-1763, tambien-restaurant.com

* Grade: B-

* How much to bring: $2 to $11 starters; $7 to $9 soups and salads; $9 to $17 entrees

* Be sure to try: sopes with steak, carnitas, roast chicken in mole, camarones al chipotle with rice and black beans

Middle Eastern and Eastern Asian

Marrakesh Grill

2290 S. Colorado Blvd.; 303-759-3611

* Grade: B-

* How much to bring: $3.95-$5.95 starters; $12 to $26 entrees

* Be sure to try: baba ghanouj, lamb shank and lamb tongue soup

Tibet's Restaurant

321 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville; 303-665-2557, tibetsrestaurant.com

* Grade: B

* How much to bring: $2.50 to $8.50 starters; $8 to $19 entrees

* Be sure to try: spinach saag, momo, vegetable korma

Palais Casablanca

2488 S. University Blvd.; 303-871-0494, palaiscasablanca.com

* Grade: B

* How much: $35.95-$42.95 four-course, prix-fixe dinner; $5.95-$14.95 lunch

* Be sure to try: cherba fassia, lamb brochette, b'stella royale