If it's Wednesday, you know there's something unusual to try at Thunder Burger in Georgetown. Today's exotic protein special: ostrich and poblano chili served over dirty rice. Coming up: on Thursday, Bruegger's is giving away free bagels to anyone with a coupon, Kushi is offering late-night sushi specials and local sommeliers are vying for the [...]

D.C.-based LivingSocial is launching a new concept this week called "Room Service," which brings upscale dining to your front door—"complete with real dishes, candles and cloth napkins." Dow Jones' All Things Digital blog has the scoop. Beginning Thursday, Kushi in Mt. Vernon Square will serve as the guinea pig of the new delivery service, offering [...]

Reporting for WaPo, Y&H alum Tim Carman gets the scoop on Kushi's tax troubles, which prompted city officials to abruptly shutter the izakaya eatery over the weekend. Co-owners Darren Lee Norris and Ari Kushimoto Norris admit to sending in their monthly $10,000 checks to the D.C. government a bit later than their repayment plan allows. [...]

Acclaimed izayaka and sushi restaurant Kushi has reopened, according to Eater DC, after officials from the D.C. Office of Tax & Revenue shuttered the place over the weekend. To prove the point, the proprietors have posted a copy of today's lunch menu (see excerpt left) on the eatery's Facebook page.

Neighborhood blogs the Triangle and Prince of Petworth took notice of the big "SUSPENDED: No retail sales can be transacted" sign posted by the D.C. Office of Tax & Revenue at Kushi over the weekend. On its Facebook and Twitter pages, the acclaimed izakaya and sushi restaurant puts a sunny spin on the closure: Hello [...]

Mama Knows Bites: Critic Todd Kliman's mom awards Kushi four stars: "This is good—this is really good."[Washingtonian] New Kitchen Cabinet: Cleveland Park's Medium Rare has a new chef: "JaiJuan Sheffield, who comes to the single-dish concept from stints at Ray’s the Steaks (both locations) and Clyde’s at Gallery Place." [WaPo] Bubbling Over: Chinatown's forthcoming Graffiato [...]

Check Out The Legs On This Pinot, Little One: New moms toiling in D.C.'s restaurant industry sometimes take their babies to work. Some even let their infants take a whiff of the wines. [WaPo] More Pie In Your Face, Osama: Restaurateur Jeff Black's Palisades stalwart BlackSalt earns a dubious celebrity mention. Hours before her husband's [...]

Most chefs would profess to pouring a little heart and soul into every dish they make. Erik Bruner-Yang adds something more: a dash of DNA. “I taste every single bowl of ramen that leaves the kitchen,” he says. Consider it a kiss from the cook. “Everyone gets a little backwash,” he laughs. Lately, the guy’s [...]

Second Grey Market Slated for Local 16: The folks behind the inaugural Grey DC Market at Kushi back in January will be hosting its second event at Local 16 in May. [PoP] Local Chain, National Footprint: Five Guys Burgers & Fries is the nation's fastest-growing eatery. [Eater Nat'l] A Lockout's Economic Fallout: Surprise! Owners of [...]

Short ribs and baby octopus may dominate many menus in the city, but that doesn't mean local chefs can't find love in an acorn squash. In our ongoing series, Chefs Veg Out, we'll prove D.C.’s chefs can play with more than just meat. Name: Chadae Rickett Title: Sous chef Restaurant: Kushi Izakaya & Sushi Twitter: @eatkushi Cooking [...]