Umami Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi

Umami Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi is on Brier Creek Parkway in Raleigh, combining hibachi tables with a traditional sushi room under one roof. The teppanyaki chefs cook in front of you, and the knife work and the flame are as much of the evening as the food itself.

Away from the grills, the room is calmer than you might expect, which makes it workable for a quiet dinner as well as a birthday crowd. The kitchen aims at traditional Japanese cooking with a long menu on both sides.

What to know

• Sushi can be ordered at the hibachi tables or packed up to go.
• The head sushi chef ranked among the top 25 sushi chefs in Korea.
• He brings 40 years of experience with sashimi, nigiri and sushi.
• Chefs train under the master head chefs in both cooking and showmanship.
• The restaurant handles dine-in and carry-out orders.