Hikari Japanese Restaurant

Though Hikari Japanese Restaurant's traditional wooden tables rise only a foot or so off the floor, patrons don't have to kneel or sit cross-legged as they dine. Instead, under each table, a space recessed into the "floor"—which is actually a raised platform—lets feet dangle as legless chairs support backs. The ingenuity of this design, intended to make Japanese-style dining more comfortable for Westerners, is reflected in the creativity of Hikari's main menu, which features pan-Asian small plates such as tempura-fried squid and barbecue short ribs. Fresh ingredients such as fatty tuna and quail eggs make appearances in sushi specialty rolls sprinkled with extras such as house sauce and tempura flakes. Waiters also fill glasses from a full bar, a fine wine list, and a selection of hot or cold sake.