DEARBORN. It's worth the short drive to Dearborn just to visit this special Vietnamese eatery, whose much-anticipated opening in April 2000 garnered a fair amount of press and local interest. While the novelty of the cuisine may have worn off, Annam has built a large and loyal following that includes everybody from martini-drinking business-types to figure-conscious vegetarians. Fresh ingredients and traditional cooking techniques that harmoniously blend flavors and textures together . . . these are staples Chef Hoa Mach's superb menu. Meanwhile, the unfinished wood floors, beige walls, and Euro-style ambiance only serve to enhance Annam's refined atmosphere.

TROY. A favorite in suburban Troy, this Pan-Asian eatery serves up delicious offerings of everything from sushi and sashimi to soft-shell crab and seared sea scallops in corn-chile sauce. Inside, you'll find the atmosphere warm and inviting, as the Far East-inspired decor includes palm trees, a vaulted ceiling, and large picture windows. At lunch, it's best to arrive early, as the local business types tend to flock here on a regular basis.

SOUTHFIELD. Located in Southfield's exclusive Town Center area, this upscale Japanese restaurant fosters a traditional Far Eastern atmosphere that includes staff clad in traditional kimonos, minutely decorated Tatimi rooms that are ideal for groups looking for a little privacy, and what purports to be Michigan's oldest sushi bar, a popular lunch spot for Southfield's trendier diners. The dinner menu features a wide range of delicious options, from sirloin teriyaki and shrimp tempura to thin-sliced duck and vegetables to a surprisingly filling sushi bento. Dinner reservations are suggested, especially on the weekends.

DOWNTOWN. This intriguing establishment wears a number of hats: serving sushi, functioning as a nighttime lounge, attracting businessmen, and drawing stylish young folks. Somehow, Oslo succeeds on all counts. Raw fare is impeccable, thanks to always-fresh seafood, a talented Japanese chef, and a menu that's updated twice each day. Even better, rolls don't cost a fortune. Sushi is served upstairs in a narrow space; below, the lounge kicks into gear as the evening wears on. Come for either, or take advantage of both.

FARMINGTON HILLS. Located a just a few miles outside of Detroit, this eclectic restaurant wows patrons with its fabulous wine list and Chef Takashi Yagihashi's innovative dishes. Boasting a degustation menu that features the likes of yellow fin sashimi, Japanese short ribs, and sautéed Atlantic fluke, Tribute bears a definite Asian lilt. À la carte options include scrumptious sautéed Pacific snapper "Thai," roast rabbit, roasted Cervena venison, and marinated Portobello with truffled gnocchi. For that added touch, you can even request a table in the kitchen and watch Yagihashi's magic first-hand.