Restaurants in Rosemont

Hailing from Brazil, where he witnessed his Japanese mother bind sushi at home, Taka Watanabe sharpened his sea-fare-swaddling skills under the tutelage of a Japan-born sushi expert. At Taka's Sushi, Californian twists wheedle their way into a menu that offers nigiri topped with fresh-water eel or Spanish mackerel, depending on the season and the fish's hectic schedule of social appearances. Chopsticks shuttle sushi such as the Ziggy roll—a soy-wrapped cocoon bulging with deep-fried soft-shell crab and a fiery garlic-avocado sauce—and seared duck from plate to palate.

The sushi chefs at Azukar Sushi slice and roll more than 65 varieties of sushi and sashimi to order. Dishes such as tataki tuna and seared salmon carpaccio top sleek white tables at the new West El Camino Avenue location, which surrounds diners with plum-colored walls. Chopsticks can also pluck up pieces of nigiri sushi, such as octopus and fried tofu skin, or tap out bell carols on the sushi bar’s cylindrical hanging lamps. Specialty rolls such as the honey-walnut roll with shrimp tempura arrive artfully arranged on white-porcelain plates.

Traditional meets contemporary at Nishiki Sushi: Chefs concoct classic sashimi and nigiri from fresh seafood, such as yellowtail, scallops, and freshwater eel, and they’ve also whipped up more than three dozen innovative specialty rolls. For instance, the Buddha roll has soft-shell-crab tempura wrapped into a tight spool and drizzled with a duet of homemade sauces. The Treasure roll adds a Southern twist—it has barbecue sauce splashed across scallops and comes served on top of a William Faulkner novel. The kitchen team also prepares what they call "Japanese comfort food"—entrees such as ramen noodles, chicken teriyaki, and unagi don, a barbecued freshwater-eel dish.

With more than two decades in business, Cafe Morocco has put in the practice and hard work for its traditional Mediterranean cuisine to earn a Very Good to Excellent rating from Zagat. While pita triangles sop up hummus and tabbouleh, ceiling fans circulate the savory aroma of vegetarian couscous filled with red potatoes and italian squash, and chicken kebabs marinated overnight in potent moroccan spices. The decor complements the exotic flavors with North African accents, such as a colorful fabric trail hanging from the ceiling and turret-shaped outlines framing the windows and kitchen. Patrons can also sip on a cup of sage tea from a metal kettle surrounded by walls covered with painted plates, gilded antique weapons, and gilded antique permits for carrying a dagger.

The chefs at Sushi Unlimited combine their eye for artistry with fresh ingredients to create sushi rolls and hearty entrees. Their signature rolls pay homage to elements of nature as well as local sports teams. For instance, chefs pack the Raiders roll with deep-fried shrimp and spicy tuna before hacking it into pieces with a cutlass and serving it on a wooden plank. As for traditional cooked dishes, the culinary team charbroils fresh salmon steaks for teriyaki plates and deep-fries tempura-style shrimp and vegetables.

At the Davis location, a red accent wall behind the bar vivifies the selection of Japanese sake and beer. The Folsom restaurant boasts a marble-topped sushi bar and wooden columns painted in a whimsical purple. Dotted with flat-screen televisions, the Roseville location has a casual vibe.