While Umai Japanese Restaurant in Lansdale garners praise for its carefully prepared and beautifully presented sushi, sashimi, and maki rolls, it’s the service at this restaurant that draws the loudest cheers from locals. Chef Ray warmly greets each patron who enters the restaurant, and his welcoming attitude trickles down to the rest of the staff. The customers clearly appreciate this, and reciprocate this hospitality themselves—it has become unique tradition at this BYOB for customers to pour a drink for Chef Ray, who will happily enjoy a glass of wine at your table.

In an area that’s home to many sushi bars, Ray’s personality shines through on the menu, as well as in the dining room. Standout dishes include the thick, chewy udon lunch noodles, the high-quality fatty tuna, and the expertly spiced beef negimaki. The fried banana dessert is popular, too. Be apprised, however, that this place is popular, and unless you have a reservation, you may need to wait!

Umai Japanese Restaurant
220 Pennbrook Parkway
Lansdale, PA 19446
(201) 855-5544
umaisushibar.com
www.yelp.com/biz/umai-lansdale

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Kirinohana

Creative pastimes are a great way to exercise parts of your brain that don’t normally get a workout. Making art can be stimulating or relaxing, especially if you’re doing it with no expectations. One of the best places in the Norristown area to get started is Rainbow Arts and Crafts, a full-service art supply store on Germantown Pike that is packed to the rafters with everything you’ll ever need. Customers rave about the exceptional selection of art and craft supplies on offer here. In addition to the traditional stuff used in sewing, knitting and scrapbooking, they also sell professional artist’s tools, brushes, canvas and more. Although the floorspace isn’t big, it’s well-organized and the staff makes use of every inch of it. If you can’t find something, just ask and they can special order it. Rainbow Arts and Crafts also hosts a panoply of classes to help you develop your budding skills.

Rainbow Arts and Crafts
521 W. Germantown Pike
Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 275-5110

www.rainbowartsandcrafts.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rainbow-arts-and-crafts-norristown

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/flyngmunky

On this day we honor all of the Presidents of our great country. If it weren’t for them, our country would not be what it is today!