all photos: Kimberly Cadena
Next week a new restaurant opens in DC. Called Kushi, it will be our first Izakaya-style restaurant. Izakaya is a traditional Japanese neighborhood gastropub, specializing in grilled meats and bar snacks. Additionally, Kushi will offer a fish market and sushi bar.
Kimberly and I got the chance to see the place and speak with the owners last week and I must say I'm really looking forward to this opening. Located in the City Vista shopping center on 5th and K, this sit-down restaurant builds on an already booming area with a very fresh, new take on dining in D.C.
Darren Lee Norris is the executive chef and co-owner. He has worked at Ridgewells catering, China Grill in New York, Red Sage, the National Press Club and Oval Room. His wife, Ari Kushimoto Norris, is creative director. Local artist and friend Thom Flynn is the beverage director for the restaurant and manages the front of house. They worked with The Heiserman Group to design the space and really created something lovely.
When you walk into Kushi, you see several distinct spaces. Designed after a yakitori place in the Shibuya train station in Tokyo, the grill counter is central to the main dining area. 30 seats wrap around the cooking area, which houses a deep charcoal robata pit and smaller yakitori grills and will be staffed by 6 cooks. Everything is cooked with induction heat, sous vide or with charcoal. The charcoal comes from Malaysia and can cook for up to 5 hours, hitting temps as high as 700. The grills are custom fabricated and will have the ability to cook many layers of skewers. The sous vide method will be used to prep some food items for grilling. Pork belly for example will be cooked at 145 degrees for 12 hours, totally breaking down the muscle texture before being grilled for 4-5 minutes.
In the middle of the space you'll see a small fish market and raw bar, where daily specials will be written on a 19th-century chalkboard. And yes, you'll be able to purchase fish directly from the market.
In front of the fish market is a central bar area with 11 bar seats and a nice space for drinks with friends. Focusing on sake and shochu, the bar will also offer Japanese beers and microbrews including: Sapporo (on draft and in silver can), Kirin Ichiban (draft), Hitachino Nest White Ale (draft), Samurai Ale (draft). Other Japanese and domestic bottles include: Asahi Super Dry, Echigo Stout, Echigo Koshi-Hikari, Kirin Light, Orion, Kona Longboard Ale, Rogue Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale, Baird Rising Sun Pale Ale, as well as other Hitachino selections (red rice, classic ale, ginger ale, etc.).
On the far left, a small 14-seat sushi bar with additional tables. The room offers a slight curve in the walls to bring the cozier vibe of a neighborhood Japanese sushi spot. Fish will be flown in twice a week from the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, and will also come from domestic suppliers.
The menu at Kushi looks equally thematic and intriguing. Imagine picking fresh edamame off little branches in the bar area. Eating Heritage Breed chicken breast with plum suace and shiso, or cripsy bits of chicken skin kushiyake style. Miso marinated black cod and other seafood at market price will be offered in the robato grill area and small kobachi dishes will include rice balls and daikon simmered in dashi. All the food is priced inexpensively and portions will be small. The idea is to come in, have a drink, and build a little meal for yourself.
Ultimately, Izakaya is for neighborhoods. And Kushi Izakaya and Sushi is claiming itself as a central part of what is rapidly becoming a residential area. They have been prepping for this opening for a long time and believe that they will be great right out the gates. So if you're in the neighborhood after next week, be sure to stop by and grab a little bite.
Thanks again to Darren, Ari and Thom for their time and best of luck.
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God loves a cheerful giver.
I love this idea. DC has hardly any good Japanese restaurants (that aren't sushi joints or stakehouses).
One request: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE serve onigiri rice balls. This is such a traditional Japanese snack and perfect for bar food, yet the closest I have been able to find these are in New York City. I have looked at every Japanese place in DC, but most don't offer much beyond Sushi.
If you serve these, I will be there all the time!
John - you're in luck. The menu has onigiri rice balls AND yakionigiri grilled rice balls. $3 for a serving.
OMG...I AM IN LOVE ALREADY! Seriously, something as simple as onigiri rice balls are the mark of a serious Japanese restaurant.
I hope they have ramen. DC needs some good asian food.
So excited (and I second that onigiri can be the mark of a serious Japanese restaurant)! Is there a menu online yet?
I have the menu but it's not posted online yet. Almost all the food is grilled or easy to put together bar food.
Sadly no ramen, but I think everything else will more than make up for it.
urbandaddy has published the menu in their article: http://www.urbandaddy.com/uploads/assets/file/pdfs//c4a4f28b0ae26b5fd6409e81e9a7b486.pdf
I would be extremely excited if they offered onigiri -- love it and can't wait to try the restaurant. I'm very excited for you. Good luck!
Wish I could there for the opening. Wishing Darren and Ari all the luck in the world.
Barbara
Dear Tom and all this lovely team!
Congratulations, this place makes me feel in Asia again, lots of class mixed with authenticity, stly and great design.
Cannot wait to enjoy it.
Felicidades!!!!
Wow, I was wondering what hapened to Darren Norris? Good to know that you have opened up a new place. I can't wait to come by and check it out. Good luck and congratulations.
Darren - you have a brilliant career ahead of you ... my very Best Wishes to you and Ari - AND KUSHI ...
OMG OMG OMG Izakaya in DC!!!! AYIIIIIIIEEEEE!!!!!
Now if only we can get some Kabuki up in this joint.
how do you make a reservation? Will they be taking reservation?
GANBATTENE
I am so tired of WANNA-BE JAPANESE RESTAURANT.
You are good example of keeping real tradition.
INNOTERUYO.
Jon's okaasan yori
I won't even begin to try this place - have to have a party larger than 6 to make a reservation. Why bother if you can't secure a seat on a Friday? #epicfail
"Not Please" I called ahead to the restaurant and they let me put my name on the wait list. We waited for about 15 mins, totally acceptable on a busy Friday night. It's a big place and the food is great. You should get over yourself and try it out.
@ not please. Seriously!?!?!? Have been in groups smaller than 6 several times at Kushi and the wait was less than 20 minutes. Either you are a whiny infant or you are used to eating at fast food establishments.