Restaurant: Sticky Rice (http://www.stickyricedc.com/)
Location: H Street, NE
Total Rating: 4
Food: 4, Price: 4, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 4
Summary: Sticky Rice serves up an unusual mix of American, Pan-Asian entrees in a friendly, inexpensive and inviting atmosphere. With its charming atmosphere and “punk” attitude you won't find anything quite like it. Their specialty is the fresh sushi bar and house favorite – tator tots. Closest Metro is Union Station.
June 2008: With two bars on two floors and a back patio, there is plenty of seating. We went for dinner right at 5:30pm and did not have to wait. The sushi was very fun, fresh, and tasty. Our waitress was cool and nice, when we realized she missed one of our orders – she happily treated us to their famous tator tots while we waited. I expected more fun cocktails but they only had beer, wine, and sake. It was different to see guys in t-shirts and tight jeans with tattooed arms rolling my sushi behind the bar – as opposed to the traditional Japanese chefs. Located on the “up and coming” NE neighborhood of H Street, this area can be shady at times. Parking is not the easiest, so be prepared to park on a side street and walk a couple blocks.
December 2009: We went back for dinner since we had not been in over a year. And we have the same pleasant experience. Our server was covered in tattoos and very friendly. We devoured the fried teriyaki mushrooms and attacked the large bucket of tots while waiting for our sushi. I must say - the bucket of tots is VERY large and filling. The sushi was fresh and very pretty. A little heavy on the cream cheese filling at times - overpowering the beautiful fish, yet we still enjoyed our meal. I don't know why we don't come more often. Maybe that will be a new goal for 2010.
UPDATE: Finally came back and had the same server - she was very nice and suggested a sweet, cold sake for Keith. The place was already very crowded for 6pm on a Thursday, but many patrons were enjoying the 1/2 off specials at the bar. We ordered some trusty favorites as well as some new rolls. Again, the sushi is super fresh and tasty and I don't know why we don't come more often being that it is the closest sushi restaurant to us.What I ate:
Sticky Balls
Tuna, crab, sriracha rice, in an Inari pocket deep fried
topped with scallions, wasabi dressing, and eel sauce
♥Fried Teriyaki Mushrooms♥
teriyaki marinated mushrooms lightly tempura fried
served with a sweet and sour sauce
Tator Tots
Tater tots w/ secret spicy tater tots sauce
Garden Balls
Shiitake mushrooms, red pepper, cilantro and spicy rice in an inari pocket
then tempura fried and drizzled with eel sauce
Poki
Tender cuts of the best tuna seasoned with sesame oil, ginger garlic, scallions,
tohgarashi and soy sauce finished with tosted coconut.
Spicy Tuna Roll
♥Godzirra Roll♥
Large crunchy shrimp, avocado, cream cheese, spicy sauce and cucumbers w/ tempura crunchies and tobiko
♥The Fantabulous Amazing Roll♥
A spicy inside-out roll with lump crab meat, cream cheese and cucumbers topped with tuna sashimi.
Crazy Calamari Roll
tempura fried calamari, tamago, cilantro, cucumbers, sriracha rice,
rolled in tobiko and panko flakes
