"PHILADELPHIA Royal Sushi & Izakaya is one of the best sushi spots in Philly because of its $160, 17-piece omakase filled to the brim with simply prepared, high-quality fish. It’s pretty common to watch someone finish their meal here by calling over a server to make a return reservation, so grabbing one of their eight sushi bar seats is basically an Olympic sport. Open slots become available 30 days out, so you should set several midnight alarms a month before your proposed sushi date, or cast a wide net of notify alerts and make a wish. Those truly desperate to just waft some of Royal Sushi’s rarefied air can also make plans to eat curry buns and torikatsu sandos at the walk-in izakaya part of the restaurant (which is great in its own right), and “get lost” on the way to the bathroom." - anne cruz