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I posted this on the INCHES list. It has some good details, so I thought I would post it here too for future reference.

There is a nice, upscale restaurant which I believe is called Kihachi on Sawmill Rd in the second strip mall south of 270, on the east side of the road. It’s been about a decade since I was there, but the atmosphere was very nice and authentic. I think they might only be open for dinner.

If you don’t want to break the bank, you might try a tea house. My wife and I like Fantasia on Bethel Rd. It’s southeast asian, not Japanese, but they have a lot of Japanese magazines and comic books in the lounging area. And just across the street in Olentangy Plaza I noticed a new tea house has opened. They are next to Microcenter and have the tatami mat seating you are looking for. Both places will run about $3-4 for the tea (with a huge number of selections). They would be a nice place to take a child on a date for some one-on-one time.

There is a third tea place on High Street near the Short North area which I believe is called Zen Cha. It has a nice atmosphere (although it is not the Japanese tatami decor) and is a little pricier. That would be a good place to meet up with a friend to share a new experience.