Located in the basement of the new downtown Sandman Hotel, this western outpost of a Dallas hotspot delivers Japanese joys in a buzzy-but-elegant setting. The uber-contemporary space was perfect for sipping fancy sake choices recommended by the sommeliers, who are also experts on dozens of Japanese whiskies. Our top choices from the extensive small plates list includes the grilled petite eggplant swept with truffle-miso-ginger glaze and finished with crunchy togarashi crust; and the five-spice duck confit in cloudlike steamed buns. Shumai bundles held a nubby-textured shrimp-pork filling that balanced the delicate wrapping dressed with ginger-infused scallion and red chili bits, with garlic ponzu for dipping. We swooned a bit over the lush yellowtail sashimi, garnished simply with Thai basil vinaigrette and tissue-thin serrano chile slices; and the roll layering juicy lobster, tempura shrimp and avocado, drizzled with sizzling Cajun-spiced butter.