Chopsticks provide a much more courtly method of consuming sushi than wielding cumbersome lightsaber forks or flinging behind-the-back alley-oops like a Harlem Rolltrotter. Roll with poise and style with today’s Groupon. For $20, you get $40 of sushi, Japanese fare, and drinks at Ebisu Sushi & Grill, located in Anthem.

Stabilized by a protective layer of sticky rice, raw fish explodes in a shockwave of flavor when exposed to munching mouth-bone agitation. Sushi, cooked fish, and beef entrees frolic along with the creative appetizers, salads, and udon and soba noodles on Ebisu’s menu. Start with garlic soy edamame ($5), Ebisu ribs ($8), or a squid salad ($7) before entangling taste buds in a web of nabeyaki udon noodles with shiitake mushrooms, green onions, eggs, konnyaku, cabbage, fishcake, and shrimp tempura ($12). Main courses include the Ebisu sushi platter, served with seven nigiri sushi rolls, one special roll, and miso soup ($20), and kombu-grilled salmon with miso cream sauce ($17).

The sushi menu offers more than 25 specialty rolls (such as the Football Roll with salmon and spicy crab) as well as several traditional offerings. A fully loaded wine list and sake selection provide conversation lubrication. Families appreciate the kids' menu ($5.95), which pairs a soft drink with items such as chicken tenders or Ebisu ribs with fried rice.

At Ebisu Sushi & Grill, friends and families taste culinary fission in an upscale dining room with dark-wood furniture, precisely positioned lighting, and earthy wall tones. Named after the traditional Japanese god of fishermen, workingmen, good luck, and children’s health, Ebisu Sushi & Grill aims to etch smiles on patrons’ faces with quality Japanese fare, great service, and tasteful “knock, knock” jokes. Call ahead to make your reservation.

This Groupon is not valid toward Ebisu Sushi & Grill's lunch or happy-hour specials.

Reviews

95% of Urbanspooners recommend Ebisu Sushi & Grill, and four Insider Pagers give it a perfect five stars:

• They offer great live entertainment. We've always had good service at this restaurant and the food is always fresh! I get the dishes with chicken, and my husband says that they have some of the best sushi that he's ever had! – K. B., Insider Pages
• I've been to many different sushi places, and this one ranks above many of them. It tastes fresh, and is well prepared. Their squid salad is tops! We always have a good experience with the friendly wait staff. – Mike B., Insider Pages

Why Sobby?

There's no better way to impress a first date or prospective business client than by taking them out for a delicate mess of delicious sushi. Unfortunately, there's no bigger way to blow it than to get lost in the conversation while your chopsticks accidentally drop a horseradishy bomb on your tongue in the form of a glob of wasabi the size of your thumbtip. Don't panic. With these helpful steps, you can turn potential spicy embarrassment into a secret shame.

Step 1: Smile and nod. If your companion asks why you appear to be crying, point at a sad picture hanging on the wall, or if a sad picture is not available due to your being in a restaurant, simply draw a raccoon caught in a bear trap and then point at your own mind to indicate that you are distraught by this notion.

Step 2: Exit gracefully. At this stage, the sinus-blasting spiciness will still impede your ability to speak with dignity, but try "accidentally" dropping your chopsticks, shrugging magnanimously as if to say "clumsy me," and crawling under the table for the duration of the episode. While there, appraise the approximate value of your companion's shoes and file away your best guesstimate for future leverage.

Step 3: Distraction. If you are unable to exit the situation without revealing your condition, rewrite the script with an inspired distraction. Overturn the table suddenly and writhe as though covered by wasps moving too quickly to be seen. Or, alternatively, throw your plate flawlessly into the fire alarm, triggering a blaring salute to your marksmanship. Once outside, the commotion of lights and sirens will provide adequate cover, allowing you to briefly submerge your head in a nearby fountain and return to your appointment refreshed and looking like a million soggy dollars. Happy dining!