Ed. Note: Alex is our latest restaurant reviewer (remember when we begged for them last week?). He's a DC native with service industry ties all over the city, has worked both the front and back of the house and, in his spare time, he enjoys pickling vegetables and pulling pork. Like a Spinal Tap drummer, we have no idea how long he will last, but we hope for the best.
Konichiwa, Bitches!
Something pickled, something raw, something fried and something with pork in it? Sushi Taro makes one hell of a bento box and, for $10, it's probably the best lunch deal in the District. The restaurant is tucked away on the second floor of the CVS/Blockbuster building on 17th & P. Just head up the cramped, often-crowded stairs and turn the corner to reveal a smiling hostess and a bustling Japanese restaurant... irasshaimase!
Don't take just-any-gaijin's word for it; trust the Japanese diplomats and business people that spend their lunch hours shoeless on tatami mats while mowing down overflowing bowls of chirashi ($18), steaming bowls of soba or ramen ($8+), the sometimes-indecipherable daily lunch specials (~$10) or, of course, the bento box. Trust the pictures of Japanese actors and politicians, former patrons all, that line the walls. Trust the line snaking halfway down the stairs and the thirty-minute waits at lunch (try to get there by 12:15 or after 1).
Dinners can be a treat as well, though they don't hit the same price point. Being greeted with a small, gratis bowl of edamame is a nice touch, and the wide range of fish -- several qualities of toro, a few different mackerels, daily specials offering fish I've never heard of, etc -- makes for an exciting meal. If you're willing to pony up the $15 for five or six fat cuts of prime, glistening yellowtail or, my favorite, the albacore tuna, you will not be disappointed. Consider ordering off the yakitori menu as well, as a few skewers of grilled seafood and vegetables makes a nice addition to the raw fish. However, those of you looking for a long list of non-traditional roll combinations might be better off at Sushi-Ko or Kaz Sushi Bistro.
Just make sure you get to Sushi Taro soon. According to one of the managers, the restaurant will close for renovations sometime this winter, in order to "upscale" the facility. The crowds have grown so large and the wait times so long that the current operation is not supportable. The restaurant had hoped to open another outlet, but was prevented by difficulties finding a location and fears that the food quality might slip due to a lack of qualified chefs.
Will some Sushi Ko-rivaling ultra-modern glass-and-steel sushi restaurant emerge? That's uncertain, but the prices will definitely be going up and, between now and then, I'll be solo at the sushi bar, reading the paper and plowing through a $10 bento box like it might be my last one.
"Two pork gyoza, two pieces of shrimp tempura, two pieces of veggie tempura, a pickled vegetable assortment, six pieces of sushi, a miso soup and a salad."
Sushi Taro, 1503 17th Street.
(202) 462-8999.
www.sushitaro.com
God loves a cheerful giver.
Sushi Taro is my favorite sushi place. Ever. It rivals or surpasses places that I've been at in Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, New York, or London. They have a great extensive menu and usually killer specials (lobster sashimi!)
I remember when they closed for remodeling around 2003 or so. Nice to hear that they're doing it again.
soooo good
my favorite place in DC too
Ditto-- best I've had anywhere.
The rainbow roll is something I have to order every time I go-- spicy tuna wrapped in additional salmon, tuna, or avacado? Simply amazing. It's like doing a gentle backstroke in a calm sea of flavors. I have already instructed my family to bury me with a pharoah-worthy supply for the afterlife.
the food there absolutely rules.
didn't seem too expensive as far as sushi prices go either.
between this place, jack's, mr. yogato, fox and hound/trio, and pasha bistro, this block of 17th is pretty much a strip of affordable, awesome eats and alcohol.
I actually prefer Joss in Annapolis. And although Sushi Taro is teh best in DC... Joss is my No. 1. Fo Sho'
That crunchy ebi roll and rockfish roll at Joss is OMGWTFBBQ
Hell yeah that's my black Jian
Sushi Taro is fantastic but it can't top Sushi Ko for DC's best.
see, now I'm hungry ...
Sushi Taro reigns supreme. no question
i've been to both Taro and Ko
Ko sux, sushi doesn't taste fresh, crappy customer service and overpriced
Taro wins
On that strip, don't sleep on Hank's on Q at 17th either. Komi and Taro aside, I think they put out the best food on the block.
As far as Taro vs Ko, it's apples and oranges. Taro isn't serving up jalapeno salmon mango rolls, and Ko's portions -- rolls, nigiri, sashimi, all of it -- are markedly smaller and more expensive.
All told, it's been six months since I was at Ko and four days since i was at Taro... For me, we have a winner.
Definitely my fav sushi spot. Always been kinda partial to Tono Sushi too
the waitresses all know my name. as for the waiters... well there simply aren't any from what i can tell.
its my fave from here to nyc, and everywhere in between. that IS saying something.
Sushi taro is hands down the bEST and imo, the only sushi restaurant worthwhile in the district.
For sashimi lovers, i cant recommend the chef's omakase enough. its the best $50 you can spend there. the omakase is the chef's choice, sooooo there are always the red tuna, sweet shrimp, scallops, salmon, but he always adds something new like snapper, mackarel, and always switches up how he serves the fish.
cant recommend this joint enough.
damn, now i think i gotta go there for dinner tonight.
YES! My favorite Sushi in DC as well!!