Kotobuki

Compared to its much more formal neighbor, Makoto, located downstairs, Kotobuki may come off as no-frills. (The austere decor doesn’t help its case.) But don’t overlook this gem, which often draws a line. The sushi is so fresh you’d think the fish had leapt straight from the water onto your plate. A skillful team of chefs in the tiny on-display kitchen prepares each roll. One of the restaurant’s most popular dishes—the kamameshi—is a traditional Japanese meal of rice served in an iron pot and loaded with vegetables and meat.