Edo Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar   

Edo Japanese Restaurant features both dimly lit sophistication and colorful festivity, with old-world paper lanterns strung to and fro across the ceiling in candy-like crisscrosses. The 200-capacity restaurant contains intimate tables, booths and Pinellas County's longest sushi bar. Affordable prices surprise customers at this award-winning restaurant, lauded by Tampa Bay Magazine in its Best of Tampa Bay issue. Vegetarian-friendly items fill the menu, with monthly dinners hosted by the Tampa Bay Vegetarian Society. Teppanyaki, or entrees grilled tableside on an iron plate, highlight the modern Japanese practice of a chef standing at a hot plate (teppan) while grilling meat and fish for six to eight diners. Teppanyaki options include a teppan children menu (popular at birthday parties), vegetable dinner, filet mignon, calamari, lobster and grouper. Slivers of beef, fish and vegetables are cooked with a dazzling display of knifework, and deposited swiftly onto the plate. With Arigato locations closing and Korean barbecue few and far between, Edo is one of a few restaurants in the area that offers this dazzling and tasty style of cuisine.-- Julie Garisto (Photo: Julie Garisto)