Roll Playing

When out-of-towners visit, you’re the first to tell them the best places
to stay, shop and play. But when they ask you for a downtown upscale
sushi spot, you’re left more stumped than a fanny-pack wearing tourist.

Put down the Zagat and head to Hapa
Umi, grown-up sibling to the fantastic Hapa Izakaya restaurants.
Decidedly adult in both look and feel (think dark wood decor and large
lounge area), the Japanese menu is both fresh and inventive. We stopped
in for lunch and tried the featured bento box (grilled lamb, homemade
potato salad, crab sunomono, beef tataki and vegetable roll) served with
miso soup and rice with mixed mushrooms ($19). We meticulously made our
way through each compartment and left nary a grain of rice behind.

‘Cause that’s how we roll.

Hapa Umi, 110-909 W. Cordova St., Vancouver, 604-420-4272, www.hapaumi.com