"There are sushi bars, and then there’s Shin Bay, a narrow slip of a restaurant featuring a sushi bar with comfortable upholstered chairs and nothing else. It’s the command center for executive chef Shinji Kurita, famous for his impeccably sourced fish, his seamless blend of modernity with tradition, and his painstaking attention to detail. A multi-course omakase meal costs $225 per person, a bargain for such an otherworldly experience. The first two courses typically highlight traditional preparations and ingredients, including slippery mountain yam, burdock root, Okinawan seaweed, and Japanese eggplant gilded with miso — beautifully composed bites that transport customers to Japan. A slow, steady stream of brilliant nigiri sushi follows — one pad of rice topped with one exceptional piece of fish per course, usually 10 courses in all. The wine list features plenty of premium wines and sakes to pair with dinner. Bonus: The atmosphere is always serene, given that Kurita never books more than eight customers per seating, and there are two each night — 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m." - Nikki Buchanan
