Love, Makoto

Love, Makoto is a culinary love letter from Celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa. Featuring full-service and quick-service options, this culinary collection offers Washington, DC residents and visitors a taste of Japan in the heart of the nation’s capital. We checked out the sushi omakase experience, called "Dear Sushi" that celebrates both traditional and envelope-pushing takes on sushi. Closest Metro is Judiciary Square. 

Sushi Nakazawa

Sushi Nakazawa is a one-star Michelin star restaurant located next to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in downtown Washington, DC and serves a Nigiri-sushi exclusive omakase menu consisting of approximately 20 pieces of nigiri. The fish and shellfish is sourced globally, with a special focus on Japan. The menu is priced at $180 at the sushi counter with the same menu available in the dining room for $150.  Closest Metro is Federal Triangle.

Mitch's Sushi Bar

Mitch's Sushi Bar serves the freshest fish in Hawaii, which is delivered directly off the airplane to the sushi bar, daily. With Mitch's supply of fresh fish and the remarkable skill of master chefs Masakazu Murakami, Shingo Luu and Il Han, your meal will be truly memorable. ​  Mitch’s does not have a liquor license, but you can BYOB.

Morimoto Maui

Morimoto Maui is inspired to give a modern Japanese beach house vibe. Located in the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Kihei, the restaurant itself is a bit tricky to find on the lower level near the swimming pools. 

Nimblefish

 Nimblefish is a warm, cozy Japanese spot for nigiri-focused sushi plus sake, wine, beer & whiskey located in Portland, Oregon. Led by chef Cody Auger, most of the sushi is flown in directly from Japan and is celebrated for its simplicity.  We enjoyed the Omakase menu, priced at $75 per person, where the chef-selected tour featured seasonal highlights among house standards.

Fiskmarkaðurinn

Fiskmarkaðurinn or Fishmarket uses Iceland’s freshest ingredients to prepare original fish, meat and sweet dishes with a modern twist.  Housed in one of theholdest buildings in Reykjavik, we chose to eat here for our final meal in Iceland.

Kōbō

Kōbō is the small chef's sushi counter inside of Sushiko in Chevy Chase that serves dishes that are even more focused and intimate. The sushi is closer to true edomae style, using red vinegar from Yokoi Jozo that utilizes sake leaves in the rice to make it a maroon color. A set menu called the Kappo is available for $160 per person in regular, vegetarian, and vegan options.  We went to enjoy the Winter Experience to celebrate the start of Keith's birthday weekend. Closest Metro is Friendship Heights.

Sushi Hachi

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An amalgamation of traditional Japanese nigiri and simple, yet modern temaki (hand rolls), Sushi Hachi is the newest sushi restaurant located in Barracks Row on 8th Street SE.  The name Hachi comes from the Japanese word for the number 8, which conveniently doubles as a hint to the neighborhood they are located in. Sushi Hachi uses the freshest ingredients to create sushi as it was meant to be and features an 8 course omakase (chef's choice) meal for $65 that we tried during it's soft opening week.  Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Omakase

Omakase is a Japanese sushi bar in Aruba located in the Manchebo Beach Resort.  There are only 8 seats where Chef Mylene Lapinid, originally from the Philippines, perfects her craft in front of the diners.  She learned from a master chef who taught her the traditional art of sushi making and her cheerful disposition only adds to the fun dining experience.

Sushi Ogawa

From the owners of my beloved Sushi Capitol, comes Sushi Ogawa, offering a simple and traditional menu of Japanese and Washoku sushi. Officially opened on February 1, 2016, we made reservations for Valentine's Day in order to check out the prefix Omakase (Chef's choice course) menu for $60.  Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

Zentan

Zentan, located in Donovan House – a Thompson Hotel, specializes in contemporary Japanese comfort food with influences from Chef Yo Matsuzaki’s childhood in Shikoku, Japan. Prominently situated along the 14th street corridor, Zentan is all about presenting quality ingredients in an approachable manner. Closest Metro is McPherson Square.

Sushi Taro

Sushi Taro underwent a makeover in late 2008 when Chef Nobu Yamazaki wanted to "change the direction of Japanese cooking in this city". Located upstairs from a CVS store, Sushi Taro is notably the finest source of sushi in Washington with an alluring setting in which to admire it. The only restaurant to offer Kaiseki, "a traditional dining experience that combines the elegance of Japan's ancient courtly cuisine with the simplicity of Buddhist temple fare", Sushi Taro is a hidden gem and deserves credit as one of DC's finest restaurants. Closest Metro is Dupont Circle.

Ariang Japanese Steakhouse

Ariang Japanese Steakhouse is located in Woodbridge, VA and offers a wide selection of sushi, bento boxes, hibachi, and other Japanese fare.  The interior is casual, and not as crowded for lunch, which is where we decided to treat my mom for Mother's Day this year.

Izakaya Seki

Izakaya Seki is a "special kind of place where friends gather to enjoy sake and eat foods that pair well with sake."  We first had a true izakaya experience in Japan, and found this charming row house-turned-restaurant to offer the same convivial experience.  Closet Metro is U Street.

Sunday Sushi School at Masa 14

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Acclaimed Chef Richard Sandoval’s lively neighborhood Latin-Asian inspired restaurant, Masa 14, is pleased announce a once-a-month pop-up “Sunday Sushi School” led by award-winning restaurateur and sushi chef, Kaz Okochi. The pop-up class will take place on the first Sunday evening of each month through the remainder of the year, from 6 PM- 9PM. Closest Metro is U Street.

Sushi Capitol

Keith almost convinced me not to even write about this place for fear it will get more popular.  But one of my vows is to share my experiences at all restaurants - great, good, bad, and terrible.  Without further ado, I present to you Sushi Capitol - a relatively new sushi restaurant, located right in the heart of Capitol Hill on Pennsylvania Ave. The chef, Minoru Ogawa, is a trained sushi specialist and takes great pride in his work and passion. Serving perhaps the freshest sushi in DC for incredibly modest prices, this Japanese family-owned hidden gem will quickly be my go-to spot.  Closest Metro is Capitol South.

Natsumi

Located in the Theater District of NYC, Natsumi is a restaurant and bar/lounge featuring Japanese-Italian fusion cuisine.  The innovative menu relies on simple preparations with dynamic flavors.  The restaurant is divided into two distinct areas: a cozy space with intimate booths and window seating, and a sushi bar where you can watch the chef up close.  We went for an early sushi dinner before seeing a Broadway show.

Morimoto

Morimoto is a cutting-edge restaurant serving contemporary Japanese cuisine in Philadelphia, PA. Chef Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame prepares traditional dishes with a modern flair.  From the restaurant's website: "Chef Morimoto, born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan, learned the art of sushi and traditional kaiseki cuisine by training under several of his country’s esteemed master chefs. After being the chef-owner of a restaurant in Japan for five years, Chef Morimoto moved to New York City to explore western cooking styles. Fifteen years later, he has become well known for his unsurpassed culinary talent."

Zengo

Zengo is a Latin-Asian fusion restaurant with trendy, hip, and colorful decor located conveniently off the Chinatown Metro stop. They have a split dining room and a small bar area. I have heard that the cocktails are superb, but have not tried one myself yet. The service is friendly yet can be a bit rushed to keep up with the busy flow of patrons. Closest Metro is Gallery Place-Chinatown.

Nooshi

Nooshi is located above Tash on Barracks Row.  The menu features a wide selection of regional Asian dishes as well as mouthwatering sushi.  Dishes are inventively light, low in fat, visually arresting and vividly flavored. Each dish is expertly prepared by the talented, skillful and innovative chefs using the freshest and top quality ingredients.  Closest Metro is Eastern Market.