One of the best sushi restraunts in DC
DESCRIPTION: I'd lived all my life in California, and upon moving to the east coast I began noting all the affordable Japanese restraunts I could find. Sakana has proven to be not only the best Japanese restraunt I've found between Baltimore and New York, but the best Japanese restraunt I've ever eaten at. Their sashimi is always fresh and light, the maguro melting in your mouth with the tangy bite of the ginger in their miso sauce lingering just the right amount of time. You will not find anything better for the price and the atmosphere. The restraunt is small and warm, homey without being trite or overdone. Come early if you plan on dinner as the restraunt fills up fast with wait times up to an hour. Once you sit down you'll understand why, it's easy to stay over-long.
DATE: 2004-02-06
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Most anything but esp. the sashimi, any of their nigiri-zushi or te-maki. Udon and oden.

Before Nobu, there was Mokoto
DESCRIPTION: Sacrilege perhaps, but long before Nobu Matsuhisa took the LA and New York sushi worlds by storm with his modern interpretations of classic sushi preparations, my wife and I were blown away by the elegant and innovative 10-course meals being offered at this restaurant tucked away in the mostly residential side of Northwest DC's Palisades. Warning: It's a small room and a long meal. You may not recognize everything you are served, you may not have a chair with a back, and you will not have shoes on. In other words, it ain't typical for Washington. If you're a traditionalist with a back problem, look elsewhere. If you're up for an epicurian adventure, this is Washington's hidden gem.
DATE: 2005-03-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

Decent Sushi
DESCRIPTION: Behind its plain facade (we walked right past it) Sushi-Ko is quite a fashionable Japanese place. The minimalist decor extends even to the bathrooms. Their miso soup was quite good, as was the sea trout sushi (Umi Masu, $3.50). Other sushi, however, was only decent - not actively bad, but I'd expected better from such a popular spot. Our first order of sushi arrived without wasabi - perhaps this is just an East Coast thing? - and it took several minutes for it to arrive after we requested it. They seemed to be a bit understaffed - our tea ran out several times, and it took a while to get it refilled. They do have fresh wasabi on the menu, and it's worth a try. It tastes a little more like horseradish than the usual wasabi (from powder) and mixes less well with soy sauce.
DATE: 1999-11-04
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : sea trout, fresh wasabi

Sushi Ko Rocks!
DESCRIPTION: While sushi shouldn't be intimidating anymore, it still can be. For me, I have to feel some trust for the staff, and sitting at the big counter certainly makes me feel that way. I've been so pleased that I've tried things I wouldn't have dared to at a lesser restaurant. I adore the soft shell crab rolls. The kobe steak is fab for those intimidated by the fish. The wine list is superb.
DATE: 2006-01-05
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Uni, Soft Shell Crab Rolls, anything Toro

Great sushi
DESCRIPTION: This place was fantastic. My friends and I go there about once every week or two, and we love their food. It's reasonably priced, so you can get an assortment of dishes all in one. The service wasn't the greatest, we kept getting the same waiter who dumped things on us, but the food made up for the waiter.
DATE: 2003-08-04
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Crunchy crawfish maki rolls

Best in town...
DESCRIPTION: ...or the best in that part of town, for sure. Definitely worth the time and money.
DATE: 2004-08-01
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : dragon roll