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"The grass is always greener" applies to restaurants too, especially if they're comparing themselves to Smoothie King -- damn that wheat grass is nasty! For a Japanese spot from a team looking to switch things up: Tsunami Sushi & Lounge.

Just opened by the Thai Tannic crew above their more traditional Thai eatery, the ~75-seat Tsunami's bringing lounge-worthy vibes via a sleek stone-wall divider, tableside iPod touch paypoints, and an LED-lit, glossy wood bar backed by a wall scrawled with Asian characters, which no matter the state of immigration law, are at least always welcome on USA. Exotic whistle-wetting comes via beers like Coedo "Ruri" Pilsner Lager and Echigo Stout, 20+ sakes, and specialty 'tails like the Yamazaki 12 Yr whiskey/ honey/ mint leaf/ yuzu "Tsunami Julep", the citrus vodka/ Soho lychee liqueur/ aloe vera "Diamond", and the "Tourmaline" with Yuzushu liqueur, Cointreau, and "Hard VS Cognac", also a title fight where one will clearly win, despite the awesome smoothness of his opponent. Specialty sushi includes rolls like the spicy tuna/ cucumber/ avocado/ eel "Logan Circle", the oven-baked shrimp tempura "Lava Roll" topped with spicy crab aioli, and the crab/ eel/ cucumber/ avocado/ black tobiko "Ninja Roll", which'll feel right at home in your Tum Tum.

For non-sushi noshing, they've got hotness like flash seared "Duck Breast Nigiri" topped with foie gras/miso dressing, or a mouth-watering "Surf 'n Turf" roll with lobster tail topped by a slice of seared filet, which unlike those smoothies, is actually fit for king.

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Get your shiniest going-out shoes ready and check out the full food and drink menus, here