Blue Fish   

For a Japanese restaurant, Blue Fish is unusually loud -- in decor and often in volume. Every person at every table is pretty, trendy and immaculately dressed (the waitstaff is pretty cute, too), and the whole joint has a decidedly Los Angeles flavor to it. Whether you like that kind of scene or not, fans of Japanese food have have a hard time resisting this perennial hot spot. Along with perfectly turned out sushi and sashimi basics, Blue Fish serves up an assortment of funky, unusual rolls, wonderful yakatori and other Pan-Asian offerings. Select from an extensive sake list, printed up wine-list style, or order up a classic cocktail. Either way, you run the risk of singing loud and boisterous songs by the time the night is over. Not that such a thing ever really happens at Blue Fish -- those people are way too cool to get snookered. -- Bryan Lindsey