By F.C. Foodie

In the past few months, the restaurant scene has virtually exploded in Fayette County. New eateries are opening virtually every month and the scene is becoming more varied with an infusion of ethnic restaurants joining the fray.

But for my money, one of the best restaurants in the area is also one that's been here a long time. This month's winner of the Citizens' Choice award for dining is Ginza Japanese Sushi and Steak at 620 Crosstown Drive in Peachtree City.

Ginza opened a number of years ago when a large number of Japanese companies started calling Peachtree City home. Through the years, restaurants have come and gone in Peachtree City, but Ginza stands tall as one of the best and most elegant dining experiences in town.

As you walk through the doors, you're instantly transported to Japan. The interior evokes a Japanese tea room and the service from the moment you enter the door is impeccable.

As you're escorted to a hibachi table, you know you're in for a show as other chefs carefully slice and dice assorted vegetables and meat for hungry patrons.

But you don't have to love hibachi-cooked food to enjoy the restaurant. The eatery also offers fresh sushi which my dining companion said was some of the best in the area.

I sampled the miso soup, which was excellent, and a selection of tempura. Some Japanese restaurants make the mistake of over-battering the vegetables or meat and totally losing the flavor.

Ginza lightly batters the morsels, which insures the delicate flavor shines through the batter.

Of course, the hibachi-cooked entrees are equally wonderful and provide a wonderful trained exhibit in Japanese cooking. The carefully trained chefs twirls knives and salt shakers in preparing a delightful entree featuring your choice of vegetables and meat or seafood.