Found in the East End Loft building on 15th Street, Mikuni has created a place where sushi is served with a side of sass. Some Japanese restaurants try to create an intimate atmosphere where diners can get Zen with their sashimi. This is not what Mikuni has going on with its samurai-themed nightclub-meets-sushi bar motif. Music blares loudly while servers dressed in black zigzag through the sprawling industrial-style restaurant. It has three sushi bars and a dense menu with appetizers, rice bowls, bento boxes and quirky–named sushi rolls such as Train Wreck (shrimp tempura, spicy avocado mix, crab mix, chopped unagi) and Incredible (spicy tuna, deep fried shrimp, avocado, tuna, spicy tuna, spicy mayo). The hallmark of a trendy bar is plenty of pretty and tasty cocktails, which Mikuni has. Ask for a little bit of paradise and you’ll get a cold martini glass served with chilled Grey Goose pear vodka and fresh basil. Prepare to drink a couple of these on weekends when the wait can be long. Cindy Arora

Reservations: Recommended

Payment methods: Amex, Mastercard, Visa

Alcohol: Full bar

Corkage fee: $10

Hours: Mon – Thurs: 11:30 a.m.–10p.m.
Fri: 11:30 a.m. –midnight
Sun: 12p.m.–9:30 p.m.