Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill, 100 Central Avenue, No. 1022, 941-366-1033

There’s a reason you’ll often find the dining room and sushi bar at Tsunami on Central packed with happy patrons on any random weeknight—the food is excellent and the service is on par with any white tablecloth establishment I’ve visited. If you’ve yet to try Tsunami and are daunted by a large menu when “everything sounds so good,” allow me to pass on the wisdom of my friends George Capello and John Sciara, Tsunami regulars and my own personal arbiters of good taste. Begin with the Honeymoon, which is a jalapeno stuffed with crab delight and cream cheese, tempura fried and topped with eel sauce and spicy mayo—creamy and crunchy and yummy—and then order a Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice for the table—just do it. As for the specialty rolls: you can’t really go wrong but I love the Stephanie Roll, which features spicy escolar, cilantro, pine nuts, seared peppered tuna, avocado, jalapeno, onion and chili oil. The sashimi is always fresh and meaty and there’s always an inventive special to try.

Tsunami Sushi and Hibachi Grill, 100 Central Avenue, No. 1022, 941-366-1033