Why go: To paraphrase the writer A.J. Liebling: No sushi as cheap is as good, and no sushi as good is as cheap.
What to get: Rice casseroles known as kamameshi—a version with eel is our favorite—which arrive with an array of vivid snacks such as lobster salad and pickled mushroom; oshizushi, a long roll of pressed mackerel on lightly vinegared rice; ankimo, the foie gras of the sea painted with a light soy sauce; nigiri of yellowtail and white tuna; sashimi of scallop and sea urchin.
Best for: A quiet lunch for one or an intimate dinner for two. The cozy, 24-table dining room is a serene spot to dine—with only the ceaseless, all-Beatles soundtrack to accompany you.
Insider tip: The sake selection is small, but the presentation is beautiful—and worth a splurge: The small, chilled wooden box comes with a pendant-size spoon for lining the rim with salt, a noted sake enhancer.
Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner, Sunday for dinner.
See all Cheap Eats 2008 restaurants
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
