Winner: Sekisui

Bento boxes, sushi, tempura and teriyaki — the staples of a Japanese menu — are just the start at Sekisui. The Humphreys location has become a favorite with Japanese executives on business in Memphis, notes owner Jimmy Ishii.

The restaurant’s name, Ishii says, is a combination of stone and water; both those and other natural elements are important to the authentic feel of the restaurant. “Traditional Japanese gardens are always using stones and water,” says Ishii. “And we use white wood through the restaurant, and white wood makes very calm feeling for the customers.”

Seven locations in the Memphis area; menus, hours and directions for each location are online at sekisuiusa.com.

Finalists: Benihana of Tokyo, Nagasaki