Restaurants in Stratford

It doesn't take a plane ticket or a waterproof bus to discover Spain—or at least not to discover its food. That task is accomplished easily enough with a trip to Solun, where guests tour a Mediterranean menu anchored by cold, fried, and hot Spanish tapas, such as Coca de Sotomillo, a delectable construction of filet mignon and artisan bread. Of course, the restaurateurs don’t focus exclusively on tapas; they use market vegetables to cook omelets for brunch, churn homemade ice cream, and pour more than four dozen wines.

The artfully plated sushi that arrives at Akita Japanese Steak House's tables shows the pride chefs take in their work. They wrap maki rolls in whimsical heart shapes, whittle citrus peels into swanlike figures, and decorate lettuce hearts to resemble the blossoming cacti often pinned to lapels at cowboy prom.

Diners can expect the unexpected from fusion creations such as the Pacific roll, whose spicy wasabi-mayo exterior belies the sweet-potato tempura inside. Hibachi griddles sizzle with proteins from scallops to sirloin. Guests can also wash down grilled Chilean sea bass and other dinner specials with glasses of wine.

Though the brick bar and large, bright front windows immediately catch customers’ eyeballs, Bare Tapas & Vino is a restaurant best represented by its Mediterranean-inspired menus of tapas, pizzas, wine, and cocktails. Elegant small plates include grilled steak tips in a demi glaze, or crisp, golden shrimp and artichoke croquettes finished with manchego-cheese sauce. Flatbreads easily carry toppings such as roasted tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella, or combinations of asparagus, roasted onion, and smoked peppers. In accompaniment, wines hail from the vineyards of California or Portugal, while cocktails of exotic fruit blends sport colors more vibrant than the cheek of a crying two year old.