Ninja
8433 Oak Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504-866-1119

"Set between the Mississippi River and Carrollton Avenue, this uptown restaurant rolls sushi with panache. A painted cartoon ninja welcomes visitors to this old remodeled house-turned- restaurant, which has a bustling bar downstairs and stylish dining upstairs. The waiters and bar staff communicate via wireless headsets, while crowds pack the bar waiting for a table. Increasing popularity has caused occasional long waits, but New Orleans' famous Maple Leaf Bar is just a step away, making a great place to kill time if Ninja's bar is a little too packed. Saavy daters combine spots to both on a Saturday night.

Only in a city such as New Orleans would a sushi house emphasize Cajun spices in such originals as the "Swamp Roll," "Fried Oyster Roll" and the house "Ninja Roll." Serving some of the finest sakes and tempura in the city, Ninja is a popular hangout with chic young couples, but also offers a family-friendly environment. Who doesn't dig a sushi bar where the servers wear Janet Jackson-style headsets?"