Japanese Kitchen International You’ll have to visit several times before getting a well-rounded taste of the menu. For example: raw or cooked, beef or fish, hot or cold, spicy or bland? It’s a diner’s paradise. The sushi bar is clear on the opposite side of the restaurant, so you never run the risk of your fish being cooked, but you will run the risk of being envious of all those “oohing and awing” diners in the other room. Full bar.
4024 N. Mesa, 915.533.4268. $$$

Makoto Sushi Makoto Sushi caters to every type of sushi eater, with an extensive menu of rolls, sushi and sashimi. Their fish is fresh and soft, and the Yellowtail melts in your mouth. Start with the baked mackerel appetizer; it’s a small portion, and the skin is grilled to perfection. Just about everything they offer is absolutely delicious and surprisingly reasonably priced. The chef and his wife are sushi veterans, the previous owners of Riyoma on Lee Trevino. Beer, wine and sake.
12210 Montwood Drive, Ste. 109, 915.855.9717. $$

Okazuri Floating Sushi The coolest thing about this place is the sushi bar where fast-moving chefs slice up the fresh fish and arrange the pieces on tiny “boats” that are then floated to the customers around a small moat. Every menu item is excruciatingly fresh from the yellow fin tuna to the octopus. Cold Japanese beer is also available. Beer and wine.
865 N. Resler, Stuie C. 915.581.7733. $$
www.okazuri.com

Riyoma Japanese Restaurant This authentic Japanese food restaurant is popular with sushi snobs and novices alike. The squid salad, ten piece sashimi, Philadelphia roll, miso soup and green tea ice cream were all freshly prepared and exquisite. Seating is limited and the joint is packed at dinner. Dine at the sushi bar, a traditional American table, or sit Japanese style, on the floor. Beer, wine and sake.
2000 N. Lee Trevino, 915.590.8220. $$$

Samurai Sushi Any place that features Viagra salad on the menu has got to be good. Serving up traditional sushi items, be sure to sit at the sushi bar to see how a real sushi chef maneuvers a knife. Yes, Viagra salad is really on the menu, combining several types of raw fish served with a ginger, carrot dressing. Beer and wine.
7040 N Mesa St. 915.585.8848. $$

Susaki Lounge and Sushi Bar The idea that Susaki offers “something for everyone,” translates onto the menu as well, which offers a seemingly endless selection of sushi plus a few cooked entrees for those too squeamish to appreciate their fish in the raw. The edamame appetizer comes steamed and salted, and the tempura calamari is crunchy and light. Freshness defines the sushi which is made to order by a chef who deftly slices the tuna and salmon into uniform pieces. There’s an art handling fish and Susaki’s chefs are masters. After dinner, check out the evening’s activities. They range from “movie night” to live music to karoke.
See the Review
1506 Lee Trevino – Suite B1. 915.591.9266. $$

The Sushi Place A floating sushi bar, contemporary décor and an extensive menu complete with everything from miso soup, to vegetable tempura rolls, specialty rolls and of course fresh rolls (the raw stuff.) Beer, wine and sake.
2604 N. Mesa, 915.838.8088. $$
www.thesushiplace.com