Karaoke bar in Detroit: Staff Pick

Sharaku is the most authentic Japanese restaurant in metro Detroit, offering 25 daily-changing appetizers, including catches of the day, and a relatively short list of entrées. As in Japan, the decor is spare, blond wood, and meals are served with a minimum of pretension — just artful arrangements of the food and garnishes themselves. For sushi, you may want to branch out and try rolls of dried squash, burdock, ume shiso (green tea), natto (fermented soybeans) or orange clams.The chef’s choice “sushi deluxe” will come with 10 lovely nigiri pieces plus a roll, also with crunchy pickles of radish turned bright yellow and cucumber now purple, and a delicious opaque broth with the most delicate of scallions, still crisp. At the back of your menu, look for a long list of liquors (shochu) distilled from different grains: sweet potatoes, barley, rice, buckwheat or potatoes (the most popular). Takeout available for sushi only; party platters also available (minimum $25 order).

Downtown Ypsilanti's oldest drinking establishment features food, beverages and live entertainment seven days a week. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual, catering to a diverse clientele. The original woodwork and tin ceiling have been carefully maintained. The Tap Room features a selection of 63 bottled beers and 9 drafts, 4 of which rotate on a monthly basis. The menu features a broiled 1/3 pound burger and a variety of fresh soups, salads and subs. For your late-night hunger attacks, the Tap Room serves a variety of munchies until midnight. The kitchen opens at 11 am for lunch.