LITTLE KATANA SUSHI BAR
13350 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75240
972-991-1122

Among the many treasures to be found at the Galleria is Little Katana, where weary shoppers may refresh themselves with an orthodox array of sushi and sashimi dishes as well as a fine view of the mall’s celebrated skating rink. The menu is limited in scope and revolves around various preparations of salmon, tuna, squid, snapper and yellow tail; those new to the genre (as well as those who have trouble making up their mind) will be best-served by the sashimi sampler. Dessert offerings include such similarly light offerings as chopped strawberries served with shaved ice and flavored with condensed milk.

Kihachi
2667 Federated Blvd
Columbus, OH 43235
614-764-9040

Catering mostly to a Japanese business clientele, this restaurant has managed to go relatively unnoticed until recently when every food critic in town began putting it on their top ten lists. Chef-owner Ryuji “Mike” Kimura runs this cutting edge restaurant in an unassuming Dublin shopping center. Many of the dishes, including the sushi, are based on what is fresh and available, often things of extraordinarily high quality. If you’re not after sushi there’s always the Sake steamed Duck or Shabu-Shabu.

MIRAI SUSHI
2020 W. Division
Chicago IL 60622
773-862-8500

The cocktail lounge has later hours and serves drinks only. This hip restaurant located right near the trendy Division/Damen intersection boasts an extensive menu offering a variety of sushi selections along with inventive and original non-sushi entrees that borrow from a variety of cultures. Specialty appetizers include a patron favorite called Kani Nigiri - a baked king crab served with a spicy sauce - and Madako Kimo - sashimi octopus with monkfish fois gras served with a house ponzu. The standard menu includes three types of tuna and salmon as well as the futo roll (a tasty combination of eel, shrimp, egg, spinach, gourd, and smelt roe). Mirai’s dinner specialties are fashioned around the fresh fish that is flown in daily. The chic upstairs lounge and bar exudes energy as diners wait for tables on tall velvet stools or munch on dinner while lounging on plush sofas. The bar itself offers 15-20 different cold sakes shipped directly from Japan, 60 wines selected in-house and a large list of specialty cocktails and martinis.

SUSHI EXPRESS
1038 Beacon St. Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 738-5658

Sushi Express is one of those rare restaurants that lives up to its name. The food is served up fast (usually within 5 minutes after ordering) but it’s also fresh and affordable, one of the best bargains in the city. Try the sweet shrimp sushi or the assorted sashimi and sushi plates. You wouldn’t expect a fast-food sushi restaurant on a top-10 list but if you get a craving for raw fish that needs instant gratification, Sushi Express is your best bet in Boston. They offer a huge menu that include all the basics, like salmon and tuna rolls and some unique offerings like the Philly Roll, which is crab-stick and cream cheese. No matter what you order here, it’s served up with fun and flair and pretty cheap, too.

 NEW NO DA JI
2501-2503 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 410-235-4846

You normally wouldn’t think the mark of a good sushi restaurant would be its all-you-can-eat buffet, but it’s the big draw at New No Da Ji. Popular with neighboring Johns Hopkins students and the Baltimore Museum of Art crowd, its buffets (lunch - $9.95 and dinner - $15.95) combine the best of nigiri, sashimi and maki with other Korean, Chinese and Japanese selections. Popular sashimi fishes are rock fish and red snapper. And since you’re in the land of the crab, try their special Old Bay roll, with lump crab meat sprinkled generously with the homegrown Maryland spice. The décor isn’t too snazzy, but who cares? With prices like these, and the freshness you’d expect from upscale sushi bars, you just cannot go wrong here.

TAKESHIMA RESTAURANT
308 Harvard St. Brookline, MA 02446

In the mood for good, old-fashioned sushi? Then head to Coolidge Corner and stop in at Takeshima, where these sushi wizards here have been making sushi for 12 years. There is nothing fancy about the food here but it is serious sushi and sashimi (raw fish by itself). It is stylishly decorated with an eye towards classic Japanese tastes. All the raw offerings have a clean and pure taste. Stick with the basics here like the California roll or the nigiri with tuna and you can’t go wrong.

HARRY AND SON’S
N. Highland Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30306-4507
(404) 873-2009

A Virginia Highlands mainstay, Harry and Son’s is often packed tight with newbie-yuppies, their cell phones and their admirers. Run by the same people as neighboring Surin’s, Harry and Son’s imports the Thai standards and reasonable prices offered across the street, but adds a notable sushi bar. Everything here is fresh and well prepared, though usually not cutting-edge, with special attention to the presentation of both the sushi and let the good-times-roll crowd.

Estimated Price: $10-20

Not only does Venice’s most acclaimed sushi restaurant offer the ocean’s breeze, but also a chance “to inhale” Japanese delights, arranged by the expert chef. Akinori Yokoyama has long perfected his “craft” of preparing sushi/sashimi an addition to the special kitchen menu that changes everyday. No need to study it carefully - each dish is exquisite. Be hungry and ready for something new to taste as the selection is extensive. Just to whet your appetite, order steamed asari clam with sake garlic butter or fresh asparagus with spicy mayonnaise. To complete your dinning experience, ask for an empowering dessert like banana fritters with chocolate sauce. After dinner, take a walk on the famous Venice boardwalk to see the sun slowly fall into the darkening sky.

Heart Rock Sushi
1970 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 779-2735

Located in the quirky Gateway Shopping Center, this Fort Lauderdale favorite packs in the crowds day after day. At first glance, it’s easy to see why. The owners have hit on the perfect formula for a sushi restaurant: soft lighting, comfortable seating, and, of course, fresh fish served in generous portions. Sushi and sashimi can be ordered by the piece or in platters. Mix it up a bit and order a combo platter; you won’t be disappointed with the results! Sake, plum wine or Japanese beer provides a great accompaniment to the menu selections. Check out the dessert section of the Heart Rock menu, a course not taken seriously at most other sushi restaurants. The banana fried in a spring roll skin and served with honey and chocolate or caramel sauce is a sweet way to end a great sushi meal.

MEGU
62 Thomas St.
New York, NY 10013
212-964-7777
Megu isn’t just another sushi joint. It’s about presence and deliciously innovative Japanese cuisine. The restaurant, which doubles as a lounge provides customers with an array of choices spanning from Caesar salad to the immaculate Kobe beef with sesame and grated ginger in soy butter. With the gourmet prices, and made to share portions, Megu’s culinary contributions are to be savored. Ambiance is the other side of enjoying Megu. Each lounge is decorated with simple style that boasts artistic design. A decorated plate, sexy environment, and knowledgeable staff makes Megu one of the staples in New York’s Japanese dining scene.