I'm the former sushi chef. Earning potential was much higher once I got my grad degree. It was a great way to pay my way through school though.

As for the belief that things even out between NYC and DC, there is no comparison. And I am not talking about the fusion sushi, which I think is one of the Nobu restaurants that DeNiro is an investor in. I'm talking about good basic sushi where the fish is the highlight and the rice is prepared properly and not a giant ball of onigiri compressed almost the point of being mochi.

The sushi chef should tailor the sushi to the customer, yes, there are different ways of making sushi for Japanese people or those who demonstrate they know about sushi, and the average American. The chef will know based on what you order how to prepare your food.

The servers will also know the proper order in which to bring the food. This is something that almost none of the restaurants in DC ever get right.

Momos in Old Town on Queen Street. I am a food snob and a huge fan of sushi and have never found any place in the world as good as this (but I have never been to Japan). Worth the drive and every penny.

Anonymous wrote:I lived in Japan. Your best bet is Sushi Taro, which is quite expensive for dinner but very worth it. For lunch, it's more like izakaya-style and inexpensive, so you can get assorted bento for about $12 and lots of nice Japanese dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in DC (Chawanmushi! Chirashizushi! Karaage! Saba no shioyaki!). Seating is really limited so reservations or going at off times is a good idea.

How's this for "from the sublime to the ridiculous". You inspired me to go read the Sushi Taro menu, which looks delicious. On the side of the menu (on facebook) was an add "brought to you by Jimmy Johns". Talk about a contrast!

To be clear, I'm not a food snob, nothing wrong with Jimmy Johns, but it still made me smile.

I've had a lot of sushi at both random and well regarded sushi places in both NYC and DC. I think on balance they even out. And that Robert DeNiro chain in TriBeCa was no better than anyplace in DC at all.

Murasaki is really good, as well as the place just up the street from it.

And the lobster rolls from the truck on Lafayette square is as good as anything in Maine. The lobsters come from the same place and they are still alive so it's not like they aren't fresh

But you gourmands keep telling yourself there's a big difference.

Anonymous wrote:Having worked as a sushi chef for several years in grad school, my standards are that when I eat out for sushi, it better taste at least as good as what I know I am capable of preparing.

Sushi Taro is the only one that is consistently good. Sushi Ko can be good, but also pretty bad. Kaz is the MOST overrated restaurant in this city. Other than Sushi Taro, Makoto is the only other Japanese restaurant I would consider quality. Otherwise, go to NYC for good Japanese food.

Did you train for a long time and go to grad school when you were older than the typical grad student? Why aren't you a sushi chef now?

I lived in Japan. Your best bet is Sushi Taro, which is quite expensive for dinner but very worth it. For lunch, it's more like izakaya-style and inexpensive, so you can get assorted bento for about $12 and lots of nice Japanese dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in DC (Chawanmushi! Chirashizushi! Karaage! Saba no shioyaki!). Seating is really limited so reservations or going at off times is a good idea.

Anonymous wrote:Having worked as a sushi chef for several years in grad school, my standards are that when I eat out for sushi, it better taste at least as good as what I know I am capable of preparing.

Sushi Taro is the only one that is consistently good. Sushi Ko can be good, but also pretty bad. Kaz is the MOST overrated restaurant in this city. Other than Sushi Taro, Makoto is the only other Japanese restaurant I would consider quality. Otherwise, go to NYC for good Japanese food.

Upon first reading I thought don't be ridiculous - go to NYC for really good Japanese? And then I considered the fact that I don't eat lobster rolls in D.C. I don't care where - not Tackle Box, not Freddy's, not River Falls. They all stink. The lobster just doesn't have the sweetness and texture of a Maine lobster roll. So, long story short, I totally see what you mean.

If you are up for the drive- Tachibana in McLean is fantastic.

Yirasai Sushi in Bethesda

Kotobuki

Momiji

Anonymous wrote:Having worked as a sushi chef for several years in grad school, my standards are that when I eat out for sushi, it better taste at least as good as what I know I am capable of preparing.

Sushi Taro is the only one that is consistently good. Sushi Ko can be good, but also pretty bad. Kaz is the MOST overrated restaurant in this city. Other than Sushi Taro, Makoto is the only other Japanese restaurant I would consider quality. Otherwise, go to NYC for good Japanese food.

+1. I usually order just a few pieces to start. If I can't bite into the fish like it was made of soft butter, I don't eat it. I have no idea if there is a true correlation between soft texture and freshness, but I won't eat stringy raw fish.

Sushi Ko in Chevy Chase is or hit or miss.

Having worked as a sushi chef for several years in grad school, my standards are that when I eat out for sushi, it better taste at least as good as what I know I am capable of preparing.

Sushi Taro is the only one that is consistently good. Sushi Ko can be good, but also pretty bad. Kaz is the MOST overrated restaurant in this city. Other than Sushi Taro, Makoto is the only other Japanese restaurant I would consider quality. Otherwise, go to NYC for good Japanese food.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband loves Murasaki on Wisconsin Ave

+1

+2

+3

+4 We also like Yosaku.