by Rodney Smiley

GENKI
3188 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30035
Despite its traditionally Japanese fare - including rice and noodle bowls as well as sushi - Genki is best if you usually order your sushi with extra ketchup. Ignore the small, tough nigiri and go for the most Americanized of the maki selections. Items like the super crunch, with cream cheese, avocado, salmon, remoulade and teriyaki sauce come off well, as do the broth-heavy noodle bowls. Don’t come here expecting authentic Japanese; do come here expecting a drum-and-base crowd, friendly service and a few hits in the food department.

by Loretta Chilcoat Jergensen

EDO SUSHI
201 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD

Edo Sushi is a beautiful sushi restaurant, with warm woods, soothing blues, and an incredible view of the bustling Inner Harbor waterfront smack in front of you. But this isn’t your average sushi-the selection and taste are as pleasing as the décor. A photo menu helps school sushi novices in distinguishing unagi from kani. Apart from the traditional tempura and fish selections, you can choose from more than 15 creative makis like the popular “harbor” (shrimp tempura roll with spicy crabmeat, pinenuts and avocado) or “crystal” (avocado and spicy white tuna topped with salmon roe). You can also nosh at the bar on finger-friendly yakitori skewers (mushroom, beef, and bacon) while sipping a warm saki or chilled Ramune (Japanese marble soda).

by Jenny Bengen

TAKA RESTAURANT
555 5th Avenue (Hillcrest)
San Diego, CA 92103

Taka Sushi, located in the trendy uptown neighborhood of Hillcrest is a fine example of an Americanized Sushi Restaurant. Hillcrest is a small enough village that you can park, walk around and enjoy a creative mix of wine bars, boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. Occasionally at lunch you may see one or two Japanese parties at Taka, but being in Hillcrest you are more likely to see every other eclectic, arty type that exists in San Diego. You will see the local actors and the local modern and ballet dance crowd. You might even see Elvis. Yes Elvis does like Sushi! Elvis’ favorite dish at Taka is Hamachi Kama, $10.50, which is baked rare pieces of Yellowtail served with a Ponzu sauce or flavored with Teriyaki. Operated by a Japanese family and being quite popular Taka serves a good quality of Sushi, fresh and flavorful. Taka is an “in” spot and hence the prices can be up there. Taka is as much a scene as it is a Sushi bar. Taka Sushi is one of the best “Americanized” Sushi restaurants in town.