RICE VILLAGE. Braced by raw wooden beams and posts, this enticing establishment gets brisk business from students and medical folks. Best known for its beautifully composed sushi, it also gets praise for grilled dishes (you can even cook your own on a blistering-hot rock). Begin with miso soup or edamame before shifting to pan-fried prawns, sauteed conch, chicken or pork katsu, or grilled and skewered seafood. Plenty of rolls are available, including the Polo (with fried oysters and avocado) and the spicy Azuma (with tuna, salmon, and daikon skin). Don't forget to explore the list of sakes.

GALLERIA. Kaneyama enjoys a reputation as one of the area's more popular eateries, thanks in large part to its terrific sushi. Contemporary Asian decor adds character to a sleek sushi bar, comfortable booths, and cozy tatami rooms. An ideal spot for business lunches, Kaneyama, whose name loosely translates as "treasure mountain," serves classics like sea urchin, sashimi, and nigiri. For diners not wanting to go "raw," alternatives like salmon teriyaki are available. Best of all, prices are among the most competitive in town.

RICE VILLAGE. Although sushi is readily available nowadays (even at the supermarket), authenticity is often elusive. Not so at Kubo's. They create Japanese sushi, not an Americanized version. As a result, quality and preparation are more stringent, and nigiri, maki, and sashimi are practically without parallel. Even basics like yellowtail and tuna are sublime, and the more unusual and inventive options really sing. Cooked dishes and rice bowls can also be had, but you might as well go with what they do best. Incredible sakes are also a restaurant standard. Make sure you check out the specials!