1 or 8

The folks behind Williamsburg Japanese tapas joint Bozu go for restaurant No. 2 with 1 or 8. (The quirky name is a reference to an ancient Japanese gambling phrase, which roughly translates to "all or nothing," says owner Shinji Mizutani.) Quite the gamble: The chef, Atsushi Yokota, is classically trained, and he melds French-Japanese influences in dishes that can be described as…curious. To wit: Japanese "terrines" like sukiyaki, in which—instead of a traditional broth-based preparation—the meat is packed into a brick with shiitake and doused with broth. More curiosities: menu sections devoted to tartare (mackerel with kiwi) and ceviche (lobster with avocado). Too adventurous for ya? Stick to basics—they're here, too—like sushi, tempura and miso soup. Mizutani's just waiting for his permits to be approved, and hopes to open within the next week. 

See more: South Side restaurants, Japanese restaurants, Sushi restaurants