Oyama Sushi, Cedar Rapids

There's much more to Oyama Sushi than its name suggests. Yes, there are eye-catching platters of thin-sliced sashimi, carefully arranged nigiri, and more than 40 sushi rolls, featuring everything from lobster and avocado to tempura-fried shrimp and honey-wasabi sauce. But another side of the restaurant appears as soon as you walk in: several tables feature gleaming hibachi grills, where chefs sear orders of vegetables, filet mignon, or scallops while dazzling their hungry audience with culinary showmanship. No matter which neighborhood of the menu you're ordering from, dishes are designed to be visually appealing as well as tasty; The Culture Trip's Cedar Rapids guide placed Oyama on its list of Top 10 Restaurants in the city, praising its knack for "turning food into art."

The decor is as traditional as the menu. A torii-style gateway divides two seating sections, and red lanterns decorated with kanji hang from the ceiling alongside kaleidoscopic chains of origami cranes. The blonde woodwork, pale yellow walls, and soft lighting all contribute to an open and inviting ambiance. In addition to its collection of wines and familiar spirits, the bar also displays its collection of Japanese beers and sakes, imported straight from Tokyo via underground tunnel.