With techno music playing in the background and a plasma screen swirling psychedelic images on the bar's wall, Haiku's warm, minimalist interior welcomes a trendy clientele seeking the hippest sushi in Columbus. The Short North Arts District proves the ideal location for this Zen-chic urban eatery, where artistic creativity pervades all facets of the dining experience. The action-central sushi bar, for example, not only looks cool but also sends out some pretty aesthetically pleasing and delicious rolls. Decorative rainbow and dragon rolls could easily be considered works of art, while standards such as California and spicy tuna rolls cover the basics. And the unique Crunching Buckeye roll's pecan center (surrounded by crab and eel) proves that the creativity extends to the chefs' culinary combinations. Papers and pencils rest on every table should poetic inspiration hit you mid-bite. Fusing the cuisines of Vietnam, China, Thailand and Japan, the lunch and dinner menus feature a range of specialties, from Asian calamari and spicy seafood pasta to pad thai and 15 different noodle dishes in various sauces and broths. Reservations suggested on weekends. Live jazz Sat nights. Haiku's full bar includes wine, sake, imported beer and a special martini menu. Serving lunch Mon–Sat, dinner nightly. Voted Best Sushi in Alive's 2008 readers poll.