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SushiSamba's "Sex and the City" heyday seems to have passed—these days you're more likely to see tourists and wannabe hip professionals scarfing down oversized tekka maki rather than Kim Cattrall. Part churrascaria, part sushi restaurant, SushiSamba offers unique food re-combinations and overwhelmingly energy at both of its download locations. The West Village eatery lies at the heart of the district's loudest dining drag, so you'll have to give up important conversations at the door as you sidle past all the suits and overgrown frat boys for a Japanese-inspired cucumber "chu-tini." Once you sit down, try the tart yellowtail seviche. To escape the roiling crowd of wannabe Mr. Bigs and PR girls trying to look like Sarah Jessica Parker, retreat to the slice-of-pie open-air rooftop for a smoke, or check out the chain's Gramercy Park flagship location, where the scene is slightly more subdued and the party spills out onto the sidewalk. — Michael Y. Park

Sat. and Sun., 11:30 a.m.—4 p.m.

Yellowtail sashimi seviche, $13; neo Tokyo roll, $13.50