DINNER: Mikuni (midtown)

Mikuni's Web site

After hitting hot spots de Vere's and MiX, the girls and I headed to good ol' Mikuni to finish off our night. This midtown restaurant is still popular despite the throng of hip, new eateries popping up around it. We ordered only a few rolls (gotta love that special sauce) because we already had a fair amount of apps. I've enjoyed every single thing I've ever ordered at Mikuni -- the hamachi, tuna steaks, all the nigiri -- it's all good. Every time I go to Mikuni, I order the sparkling sake (see photo), a refreshing alternative to wine or beer that goes very well with sushi. If you're ever there with a big group, you can't go wrong with the party platters -- quite a good bang for your buck (that's saying a lot for sushi). The service at Mikuni is great, and really quick. They're all about the sushi, not much fanfare. It's the ever-present crowd that gives this place a cool vibe -- without them the downstairs eating area would look more like a school cafeteria than a restaurant. It's pretty loud, so doesn't top the list for a romantic date (upstairs is a tad quieter), but it's always a fab choice for drinks, fun and (of course) sushi.