The Izakaya, Sacramento

Inside the dining room at The Izakaya, sushi chefs create pairs of nigiri sushi, with cuts of fresh tuna or steamed prawns atop bite-sized morsels of rice. The chefs also create house special ramen dishes and specialty sushi rolls, such as the fried Golden California Roll, and the Rock & Roll, whose shrimp tempura and avocado are served in tiny leather pants. Behind the stone-topped bar, The Izakaya pours wine, draft Kirin and Asahi beers, and a slate of traditional and fruit-flavored sakes.