As a natural outgrowth of another thread, I'm offering my limited knowledge of quality sushi restaurants, outside of Japan. Like a lot people, I suspect, I've tried the hit and miss method in my search for quality Japanese dining, outside Japan. Sometimes it's easy to know where to avoid: Chinese menu items, decor that takes the Japanese theme way too far, no Japanese employees, etc.

I've found my best luck asking the Japanese living outside Japan: Where do you eat? What restaurant do you recommend? Here are my proven recommendations, I've eaten at each of these restaurants with Nihonjin multiple times, with positive results.

Las Vegas Sushi Mon. Tel: (702)617-0241 / Fax: (702)617-0251
9770 S Maryland Pkwy.#3, Las Vegas, NV 89123
Website I didn't know they had a website, until just now, when I googled to find their street address. The nigiri sushi is really fantastic, and there are almost always some Japanese patrons. I've also seen lots of young, trendy kids (18-24 y.o.) eating here, but don't let that scare you off. The staff is 60% Japanese, the sushi chefs are skilled, friendly and attentive. The serving staff aren't, but this can be overlooked. It's probably easiest to just pay the "all you can eat" price. My experience: about 30 USD per person

Los Angeles Sakura Japanese Restaurant. (310)822-7790 4545 Centinela Av, Los Angeles, CA 90066 This restaurant is nothing fancy, decor wise, it's just clean and delicious. Like Sushi Mon, above, you can expect to wait for seating. The feeling one gets is that this restaurant has been around forever. I doubt that one could go wrong, here. It's very comforting to listening to customers speak Nihongo to the 80% Japanese staff. If it matters, it's only a quick five mile drive north of LAX. My experience: about 30 USD per person.

I'm really hoping to hear what others say!