Bites Nearby: Ariyoshi

— If you don’t like to be hemmed in by a small menu, the offerings at Ariyoshi will give you all the ordering elbow room you could want.

For instance, at this whimsically decorated Japanese restaurant on Lee Road, you can choose from 34 kitchen or sushi bar appetizers, such as the Sunomono, chopped assorted fish and octopus served with vinegar sauce.

Or you could try the Yaki Ebi, which is grilled chicken, green peppers, and onion on a skewer, served with teriyaki sauce.

There are 25 sushi and sashimi dishes, from egg custard and mackerel to spicy salmon and California sea urchin.

Chef’s specials include Tori Maki, breaded chicken rolled with cheese, celery and carrots in a house made sweet and sour sauce.

And if you’re kind of "fried" from choosing your dinner items, you can relax appropriately with a fried dessert. Sweet items from the fryer include ice cream, cheesecake and banana.

2206 Lee Road, 216-321-1020. Open: Mon.-Thurs. Noon to 10 p.m., Fri. Noon to 11 p.m., Sat. 4 to 11 p.m., Sun. 4 to 10 p.m. Prices:  Appetizers $3.95-$12.95, Sushi and Sashimi $2.50-$6 (excluding market-price items), Chef’s Specials $12.95-$15.95