Benkay Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, Portland

At Benkay Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, voted Best Sushi Restaurant for 15 years by BestOfSurveys.com, Asian tradition meets the fruits of the American East Coast. Prime examples of this partnership can be found in the restaurant's maki rolls—the Maine Roll pairs lobster with flying fish roe, whereas the Crab Union Roll mixes Maine crab, king crab, and soft-shell crab with avocado, cucumber, and red, yellow, and green wasabi. These are only two of the menu's more than 40 maki rolls. But even if you try them all, you're still in for a surprise when you return, as Chef Ando creates different specials daily to highlight the freshest catch.

Another way to ensure a little culinary suspense is to end every food order with "... or is it?", or to simply order an omakase meal. This latter approach leaves all of the nigiri, sushi, and sashimi choices up to the chef, allowing tables to sample a variety of delicacies. The menu also features Japanese entrees, such as udon soups and teriyaki-flavored meats, and a romantic dinner for two that includes starters and a smorgasbord of sushi.