Let's face it; the suburbs are usually not considered a dining destination. Strip malls, chain restaurants and traffic, sure, but a high-end, independently-run Japanese steakhouse and sushi spot is an unusual find in the 'burbs.

Until now. 

On Monday, July 21 Shogun Japanese Steak & Sushi (7020 Woodlake Commons Loop, (804) 639-6774) opened just west of Woodlake off Hull Street Road, making it a welcome addition to a part of town littered with chain restaurants. 

Shogun is a family operation. Brothers Kimsan and Dara Yin, who collectively have decades of experience cooking for the likes of Osaka, Kobe and Kubota, run the place along with their parents Kimann and Nary Yin. The Yins wanted to bring traditional Japanese cooking to Chesterfield, which is why the menu includes plenty of sushi, hibachi, sashimi and teriyaki offerings as well as much, much more.

But the best part of Shogun is its cooking. It offers the only smokeless hibachi table in the area and you can be sure that the chefs are experienced. Very experienced. Every chef at Shogun has at least 10 years under his belt as the head chef of a Japanese restaurant.  

Shogun's liquor license is still under review, but the Yins hope to have it in hand by early next week at the latest. Once it's up on the wall, they'll offer wine, beer, sakes and cocktails. Shogun is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offers smoking at the bar only and its entrees prices range from $7.95 to $25.95.  

Someone else in Richmond finally got their liquor license, though. Patrick Henry's Pub and Grille (2300 E. Broad St., (804) 644-4242) is officially serving alcoholic beverages, so drink up, Richmonders.  

And there's an update on the new Celebrity Room (9127 W. Broad St., (804) 273-1800), which Richmond.com reviewed a few weeks ago.  

No sooner did Richmond.com publish the review than we started getting reports that the restaurant was closed again. Phone calls went unanswered and drive-bys were fruitless. The only word anyone got was a sign on the window that said "temporarily closed for renovations." 

Until now. A "member of the staff" left a comment on Richmond.com's review that says, "Celebrity Room will re-open its doors once again at its usual time on Friday, July 25. We will be serving pizza, salads and appetizers..." (Click here to read the review and comment.) 

Got some restaurant news you want to 'Dish' out? Send it to karri.peifer@corp.richmond.com. And you can always read the last 'Dish' here.