Eats and Drinks
Best Japanese Restaurant
Matsuri
1105 S. Charles St., (410) 752-8561, Web site
There are great places to find sushi in this town, but not with outdoor seating and a prime Federal Hill location. In nice weather, sit outside on the sidewalk patio where you can people watch as you sip on a giant Sapporo and feast on fresh sushi. If you don’t mind the awkward walk through the bathroom/kitchen area to get upstairs, you will find yourself in a more private setting for that date you’ve been dreaming of. Some prefer the sushi bar, though, which isn’t big but just about right to maintain that neighborhood restaurant feel. No matter where you sit, you can start off with every kind of yaki you can think of, fried calamari, tasty miso soup or some of the best seaweed salad around. As far as entrées go, the teriyaki and soba dishes are great, but the sushi is where it’s at. Between the dragon and rainbow rolls and a long list of sashimi and nigiri, especially the salmon, you will be wishing your stomach was bigger. Just make some room for some red bean or green tea ice cream. If you ignore the ice cream part of it, it sure sounds healthy.
Other Awards for Best Japanese Restaurant:
Matsuri, 9/19/2007
Matsuri, 9/20/2006
Kawasaki, 9/17/2003
Matsuri, 9/18/2002
Sushi Hana, 9/19/2001
Edo Sushi, 9/13/2000
Matsuri, 9/15/1999
Sushi Ya, 9/17/1997
Matsuri, 9/18/1996
All Awards for Matsuri:
Best Japanese Restaurant, 9/19/2007
Best Japanese Restaurant, 9/20/2006
Best Sushi, 9/20/2006
Best Japanese Restaurant, 9/18/2002
Best Japanese Restaurant, 9/15/1999
Best Japanese Restaurant, 9/18/1996