| Address | 1503 17th St., Washington, DC 20036 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (202) 462-8999 |
| Fax | (202) 328-3756 |
My boyfriend and I went to Sushi Taro for a celebratory dinner--everything was excellent. My only complaint was that they had sockeye salmon listed on the specials menu, but were out when we ordered it. The sushi we did get was fantastic, the presentation elegant, and the atmosphere was just right. It was pretty busy when we were there, although we didn't have to wait for a table. It's not exactly quiet and serene, but it does have a nice vibe--light wood, simple decor, and attentive but not intrusive service. This is easily the best sushi in DC.
According to my boyfriend, who taught English in Japan, Sushi Taro's atmosphere is about as authentic as it gets in DC. And I have never been disappointed by the sushi. I actually crave the spider rolls.
I'd heard from a few reliable sources about Sushi Taro and how great it was so we went there with the in-laws (who happened to be visiting from Europe and do not speak English as a first language). The people who greeted us were super friendly and in spite of warnings of long waits, we were seated promptly. Our waitress started out being nice but quickly lost impatience with our other guests due to their language barrier (even though it was quite clear she was not a native English speaker herself)and the service level dropped off considerably.
I was so excited when I saw the a la carte yakitori and tempura menus and ordered a few items from both along with a few items from the sushi menu. The sushi was absolutely fantastic; the rice was compact and did not fall apart easily after dipping it in soy sauce, and the fish itself was as fresh as I'd ever tasted. I was, however, disappointed by the yakitori. I'd ordered a few different selections and each was coated in the same sweet, yet tasteless sauce. I was hoping for the more traditional "shiyoyaki" treatment. Very disappointing, not to mention expensive for what we got.
Word of advice: go for the sushi, stay away from the yakitori. (Tempura was excellent as well.)
After hearing rave reviews from all who visited, I decided to try Sushi Taro. It lived up to the hype. Easily the best sushi in this city. The texture of the salmon/avocado and tuna rolls was like butter. The miso soup, which can often taste too fishy or too salty, was perfect. Edamame was served complimentary along with the meal. I've read that some think the restaurant is quite expensive, but I didn't get that impression. For the quality, it was a great value. I do have some small issues, though. The tables (at least the real tables, not the ones where you're sitting on the floor) are extremely close together. Also, the service for me was way too fast. The tempura appetizer came a minute after the soup. The sushi came out just a couple of minutes later. If you're in a rush, okay, but don't be looking for a leisurely meal. It wasn't even a weekend night! And finally, there is a per person minimum of $13. It's certainly not hard to spend that, but it's always good to know something like that in advance. Overall, fabulous food and an absolute recommendation to sushi lovers.
After living in NYC for years and being spoiled by the Osaka in Carroll Gardens, when I first moved to DC I was floored by the amount of mediocre sushi restaurants. Taro defies the rule. My only gripe -- no black-pepper tuna rolls.
Where the Japanese ambassador goes for sushi.
Excellent indeed ...
authentic Japanese sushi.
Lil bit pricey but good ...
I'm a loyal patron of Sushi Taro & would say that it's the best sushi I've had in DC. The tuna literally melts in your mouth and every other type of sushi I've ever had there was also fantastic.
The atmosphere can be a bit loud at times, but they do have a few private rooms for parties of 6 or so, and also about 4 Japanese-style tables along the windows where you kneel on pillows to eat. I highly recommend that for an authentic experience.
To solidify my review of Sushi Taro, the following was said to me by a Japanese man who just moved to DC from Japan, "This is the best sushi I've had outside of Japan". That being said, my take is that you don't get more authentic sushi anywhere in DC.
A little pricey, but *worth* every penny. This is the best sushi I've found in DC, and every other thing I've tried has been wonderful. The eel sushi was so good that I had to close my eyes. Everything was just a notch better than in an average Japanese restaurant. Only 2 warnings: the portion sizes are small (fine for me, as it left room for desert & coffee somewhere else), and the service is spotty. They also have a few too many tables right by the kitchen, and if you come on a busy night, it's luck of the draw. But for food this good, it's all worth it.
I eat here often and am never disappointed, one of my favorite sushi places in DC.
The best sushi in town. A little noisy, without carpeting, and my dinnermate's seat was in the line of lots of traffic, but on the whole, a wonderful option for an impromptu dinner.
First of all, I must admit, sushi is my passion. I LOVE SUSHI! A few years ago, I discovered Sushi Taro, deeming it the best sushi restaurant in DC. Moving from the NY Metropolitan Area, I was spoiled by amazing sushi, and was shocked to find a dirth of good sushi in the nation's capitol! That is until I stumbled upon Sushi Taro! What can I say about the sushi here short of that it's just perfect... the nigiri, especially is wonderful. The fish is fresh, the texture is just right. One of my favorite things is the exuberant greeting you get from all the sushi chefs upon entering the restaurant! All of them shout out a Japanese greeting... it is quite invigorating! There is no bad table here. I did find that I got kind of tired sitting on the floor at the low tables(altough it's a fun experience to do at least once), but the sushi bar and regular tables are the best! Sushi Taro offers a la carte maki roll, sushi/sashimi, yakitori (skewered meats and veggies), and tempura menus. There is also an extensive menu of entrees. I usually enjoy sharing an appetizer (edamame or shimp shumai) and follow that with as much nigiri and rolls as I can eat! I'm not gonna lie, friends, this place ain't cheap. But it is really worth the money... I usually only go here a few times a year, allowing myself to splurge those few times. Some suggestions... Sushi Taro does not accept reservations past 7:30 on weekends, but I hightly recommend making one because the wait can get ridiculously long. Or just arrive early if you don't want to wait. Try the yellowtail, toro, spanish mackrel... they are all tops here! Happy Eating!
This is one of the best sushi places in DC (which isn't saying much, actually). expensive but once in a while it satisfies that craving for excellent sushi.
Good Sushi for a good price. We were sat in an fairly ugly room, but other sections of the restaurant is much nicer.
As a complete sushi snob, the three stars that I awarded to Sushi Taro should carry a lot of weight. I love sushi! But nothing is worse than a fishy smelling, unappealing sushi joint that lacks the vibe necessary to have a truly transcendental sushi experience. Happily, the recently renovated Sushi Taro, with its hardwood floors, honey-colored walls and well-placed splashes of color, not only has the requisite Zen vibe, but offers terrific, beautifully presented food (raw and otherwise) right near the heart of DuPont. With a sushi bar, tatami tables and a private room, its as perfect for a single as it is for a party . . not to mention the throngs of Atkins/South Beach fans who live in the hood. If only I could afford to eat there every day!
Terrific, quality sushi. Beautiful redesign of the interior over the past year. Wish there was more interaction and ability to watch the sushi chefs, but the counters are too high.
I never appreciated sushi before I went to Sushi Taro and now I can't get enough of it. The fish is very fresh (the spicy tuna roll is fabulous), the service was attentive but not overbearing, and the atmosphere is comfortable, although a bit loud. Of course, you have to pay for these benefits, so expect a bill of at least $30 per person for dinner and a drink or two.
In the past, Sushi Taro dinners have been inconsistent - sometimes solid and sometimes disappointing. I had my first lunch experience ther and was blown away by the $18 chirashi lunch which comes with soup, salad, egg custard, and dessert. The sushi choices were creative, colorful, and incredibly fresh. There were easily more than a dozen types of fish. There were interesting Japanese pickles, a large shrimp Tempura, and exotic fruits, as well. I particularly enjoyed the smoked fish, which I had not had before at a Japanese spot. At $18, the food was excellent value for sushi - and a satisfying splurge for lunch.
It's expensive but worth it, one of the best dining experiences for Sushi and Yaki-Tori in the city!
I was told it was THE place for sushi. This restaurant is close to Dupont Circle and above the street. It was authentic JAPANESE and staffed by a well intentioned wait staff. Traditional Japanese seating is available; as well as in private rooms. Reservations are in-order after 6:00pm on weekends and lunches offer a good great deal (though I am unsure weekend hours).
My best memory, 'watching a waitress push and train a new waitress while she would rather have been casually talking with an old friend'.
This is (as far as I'm concerned) the best Japanese restaurant in the Washington, DC area. The food is never less than excellent and the presentation is second to none.
