Best Japanese Restaurant


Important: This article was last updated on September 21, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.

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Readers' picks

Best Breakfast
 The Original Pancake House, various locations

Best Cheap Eats
 Taco Bell, various locations

Best Chain Restaurant (Tie)
 The Cheesecake Factory and Olive Garden, various locations

Best Barbecue
 Tom Jenkins B-B-Q, Fort Lauderdale

Best Mexican
 La Bamba, various locations

Best Chinese
 Toa Toa, Sunrise

Best Thai
 Siam House, Fort Lauderdale

Best Mall Food Court
 Aventura Mall

Best Pizza
 Downtown Pizza, Fort Lauderdale

Best Hamburger
 Cheeburger Cheeburger, various locations

Best Diner
 Lester's Diner, Fort Lauderdale

Best Romantic Restaurant
 The Melting Pot, various locations

Best Italian
 Il Mulino, Fort Lauderdale
 
Sushi Blues Café and Blue Monk Lounge
2009 Harrison St., Hollywood, 954/929-9560, www.sushiblues.com

 Sushi Blues has always set the bar for what's cool in downtown Hollywood, and it still does after owners Kenny Millions and Junko Maslak moved to Harrison Street from Young Circle two years ago. The creations from the hands of sushi chefs Yozo and Yoshi have never been better, and instead of a cramped corner, a stage showcases hornman Millions and visiting jazz and blues artists. Somewhat lost in the fab spirit of the place, however, is just how good the menu of cooked food is. Maslak, Millions' wife, and longtime chef Ruben Long have teamed to produce gourmet Japanese recipes that are original, richly flavored and, dare we say, satisfying to the soul. The regular menu excels with meat and seafood dishes, but the star of the bunch is a crisp snapper fillet served in a sweet-and-sour cilantro sauce. Daily specials make a great thing even better and include a hearty potato, leek and shiitake soup that should be bumped up to permanent status. The lobster sushi roll topped with a slice of avocado rates as one of the best pieces of sushi you'll find.