Hirozen

Nestled in the corner of a strip mall between a cleaners and Light Bulbs Unlimited, Hirozen crafts some of the finest sushi and Japanese cuisine in the city. It’s a family place that after 20 years in the same location has turned the children of its original customers into loyal fans as well. The small space with a dozen tables is no frills, but the quality of the ingredients is top-notch. Daily specials add a dizzying number of selections to the already broad daily menu. You might start with zucchini flower tempura and then move on to black cod kasuzuke or kobe beef steak. The seven-course daily Omakase is a reasonably priced bounty of chef Hiroji Obayashi’s best ($38-$85). The sheer variety of options doesn’t compromise quality (much like the array of fabrics at neighboring International Silks and Woolens or antiquarian volumes at Arundel Books across the street).

TIPS: If you’re tempted to reproduce the dishes at home, pick up a copy of Chef Obayashi’s cookbook Simple Delicacies.