City: New Haven, CT

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (203) 777-9760

Address: 68 Howe St.

Insider Pick:

Description: Miya’s was the first sushi bar in New Haven back in 1982, and now boasts the first sustainable sushi in the Northeast. It is a cipher in many ways, both high end and affordable, with unassuming decor and prices ranging from cheap as the cheapest sushi joint to as expensive as they come. Like many modern sushi restaurants, they have a selection of unique rolls, some of which do not seem like they would work but they do, like the peanut butter and jelly roll, using jellyfish. The “invasive species menu” has become famous, taking nonnative species from Long Island Sound and turning them into food. The chef, Bun Lai, also uses elements from global cuisines in Japanese forms to continually surprise you. There is tilapia with sea salt and a little lime, but it comes mostly frozen, “Eskimo style.” So good and right, you’ll wonder why everyone is not doing it. Bun Lai has unbelievable creativity and an unbelievable commitment to his craft. He has created the most unique restaurant you’ll ever eat at, for many reasons all at once.