sushi taro

Sushi Taro
1503 17th Street, NW (Corner of P Street).
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 462-8999
http://www.sushitaro.com/

Until last night, I hadn't enjoyed sushi in Washington, D.C. Every time a craving struck, I'd look on Google and read reviews of local favorites. The reviews were underwhelming at best... You know how it is - you don't want to end up at the wrong sushi spot! Happily, Ben got a tip from an insider to head to Sushi Taro, which is located above (yep) the CVS at the corner of 17th and P.

A small and unassuming door leads you up above the Pharmacy into a narrow and crowded stairwell with many other hungry Washingtonians. Reservations are hard to come by, so don't show up with a large group without being prepared to wait an hour. Also - they don't have a bar to use while you wait, but there are plenty around the corner and the host seemed accomodating if your party wanted to leave and come back.

Fish arrives on Sunday, so Monday is the best day to go. Rumor has it, Sushi Taro operates as the fish supplier for sushi restaurants around the city, but they keep the best cuts for themselves. I can say that while this spot was no Nobu, it certainly seemed reliable, prices were great, and the food was delicious.

Sushi Taro offers several different kinds of seating: at the bar (the best place, in my opinion), on the floor "Japanese style," and at a table. We were lucky enough to nab a spot at the bar (dinner AND a show!). Their list of menu items was impressive - and they do occasionally carry the elusive blue fin tuna as part of their specials (they were out last night). We took part in a wide variety of delectables, starting out with their rich miso soup and their smooth, round hot sake. Below is a list of what we had, and a makeshift rating system...

In sum:
**** = Great, don't miss it!
*** = Very good.
** = Good, but forgettable...
* = Skip it.

We had:
Crab nigiri - $7: ****
Medium fatty tuna nigiri - $6.75: **
Spicy tuna rolls - $5: ****
Tuna nigiri - $4.50: ***
Toro nigiri - m.p.: **
Eel & cucumber roll - $5.50: ***
Shrimp tempura roll - $5.50: **
Bonito sashimi - $12/5 pc.: **
Yellowtail sashimi - $12/ 5 pc.: ****
House Hot Sake - $7/large: ****
Miso soup - $1.75: ****
Edamame - $4: *

To sum up, don't miss the yellowtail sashimi, crab nigiri, the spicy tuna rolls, the hot sake, and be sure to treat yourself at the beginning with a piping hot bowl of their delicious miso soup. Enjoy this great spot as much as possible!