"Have a Blessed Day"

Rant time.

There is a really nice security guard at one of the entrances to my work. Every car is greeted with a smile, a courteous wave of the hand to hold their ID cards against the reader, and a 'wish' to have a great day. Easy and simple, kind and cordial. Up until recently this guard's wish was, "Have a blessed day." This week however, we noticed he changed his fond wish to, "Have a great day."

Brilliant people are wrong all the time and there's a slight chance I could be wrong here, but I'm guessing someone complained. Someone like that South Park character above. Someone like these people. (The town in those articles borders my workplace.) Argh.

The problem may be that a significant portion of the US's politically active populace (apologies for the alliteration) walk around everyday looking to be offended, so that they can complain. The problem is, America was founded on the "right" to be offended. By this I mean our Constitution and Bill of Rights recognized that ensuring free speech was more important than worrying about a person being "offended."

Ok, deep breath, I'll conclude. The amiable security guard was not endorsing a religion. He is merely wishing good fortune to those he meets in the morning.

To counterbalance this random rant, here's another picture of Kristin Kreuk:

Tono (DC)

We decided to try out Tono on our way to Adams Morgan Day this year. Sure, we knew there would be lots of food on 18th, but the inviting patio by the street persuaded us to stop early. Stepping down into the restaurant we had that feeling--the one which tells you this place was gonna be good. The sushi bar looks expensive, a multitude of bedizenments line the wall, and the seating area near the window is charming. In the alcove above the low tables and tatami mats were a thousand oragami swans.

Kampai!

Very good, fresh makisushi arrived in due time. All the rolls were put together well, and there were no off flavors present. Having a half-Japanese dining partner pays off--I got the feeling that this place might cater a little more willingly to the Japanese and oft-returning customers. You get very aware of your manners in a place like this one. The final bill was not terribly expensive, and we'll be trying the specials next time we come.

The good:
Close to the Woodley Park metro stop
Quality rolls
Gochisosama! (a feast!)
Interior decor
Eh, prices weren't that bad really

The bad:
Slight air of superciliousness
Not sure of the service when it gets crowded

Overall:
Absolutely one to visit. Not cheap, but the prices won't keep you from coming back.

Tono

Hockey's back!!!

Check out Robbie Schremp's amazing goal.

And while you're at it, here's last year's NHL Rookie of the Year.

Niwanohana (Rockville)

A popular Rockville locale for Japanese cuisine, Niwa's offers a wide variety of decent sushi and other cooked dishes. The daily specials are a great way to try something novel--we pick at least one item off the board each time we come.

Inside you'll find a clean, tiered seating area that borders the sushi bar and cooking areas all the way to the back of the restaurant. Service is swift and courteous as well.

The volcano roll seems to appear on every other table. It's one of those neat complex rolls--this one is cut to look like a mountain with a creamy-reddish sauce flowing down the hillside. Ok, kinda cheesy but neat nonetheless. All of our makisushi was done well, and the check was reasonable. The specials tend to be on the expensive side here.

The good:
Large menu
All the rolls we've ever tried here do not disappoint

The bad:
Not a whole lot, really
Hmm, it is near M&T Bank--the worst bank on the east coast....

Overall:
Could easily be the sushi joint you visit every other week. Recommended.

Niwanohana

*Kristin Kreuk appears b/c I couldn't find a picture of Niwanohana. Seriously.

Aji Nippon

Aji Nippon is easy to miss. While driving towards the Safeway on Bradley Blvd after dropping off a dvd at the evil Blockbuster syndicate's local Bethesda cartel*, we noticed a small sign with Japanese artistry sticking out from a halfway-hidden corner building. Drove by it a second time, and we were certain it was probably a sushi restaurant. Cool!

If Wasabi Zen is small, Aji Nippon is quaint. We must say the owners did a great job styling their small space. The sushi bar is shaped traditionally like a boat; the woodwork theme is carried throughout the interior.

And the sushi is great. The baked california roll was simply outstanding. Can't praise the wait staff enough, also. Oh no, it's time to pay...

The good:
High quality maki- and nigiri-sushi
Tasty mochi, in many flavors
Service
Daruma, an Asian grocery store, is nearby

The bad:
Getting good sushi for a good price is still hard to come by

Overall:
Definitely recommended, maybe even to impress a date. It will be expensive

Aji Nippon

*Just kidding, Wayne Huizenga is a magnanimous individual. And while we're sucking up, Don King is THE gentleman of gentlemen.

Hinata

Economical yet surprisingly satisfying sushi can be found (before 8pm) on St. Elmo Ave. Hinata is a Japanese grocer first, and you can get a first hand look at half of the wacked-out ingredients they used on Iron Chef. Enoki? Check. Katsuobushi? Check. Eel livers? Maybe. Texture is very important in Japanese cooking, and it appears color is up there too. Hinata's main sushi chef looks a heck of a lot like one of my favorite poker players, John Juanda (above). Weird.

Value is instantly apparent at Hinata. We've bought 5 makizushi rolls for less than $20 many times. Some of the rolls aren't so great, but the crab roll is unlike any I've had elsewhere. Not a perfect 10, but it's easy to eat a lot of them. Stay away from the spicy tuna.

The good:
Value
Perusing the isles while you wait for your food

The bad:
Some rolls sometimes are a bit off in flavor or not fresh
Sushi-making stops at 8pm

Overall:
Try it out. Sometimes it's hit-or-miss, but if you're getting sushi for a bunch of people Hinata should be a top choice.

Hinata

Sushi Sushi

I'll keep this one simple: Don't bother.

Ok, I can't resist the temptation to heave further insults... When you sit at a sushi bar, you don't expect that the only Asian person on either side of said bar is your half-Japanese girlfriend. Two Latina chefs--who I'm sure are great cooks in other capacities--came out to work "the machine." They poured cooked rice into the top, inserted a sheet of nori at the bottom, pulled a lever, and out came a perfectly shaped layer of rice. Lame. Next they read off a cheat sheet of roll ingredients. Voila! Sushi that's no better than the stuff you buy cold at Safeway (Balducci's has better stuff). /Rant over

The good:
Cheap cheap cheap
The Japanese(!) waitress was attentive without being a nuisance

The bad:
Everything else
Seriously, even the parking lot next door sucked

Overall:
Not recommended, unless you are the type of person who likes a Burger King breakfast, those 2-day old wraps at your office building's snack shop, and a cup of ramen for dinner e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y.

Sushi Sushi (the latest review on that site must've been written by the manager. Four stars?!!!)

*The pic of Kristin Kreuk is there purely to offset the yuckiness of this review. And b/c she's half-Asian.

Sam Woo (Rockville)

With center table top grills, Sam Woo specializes in authentic Korean food. Don't be alarmed by the one manager who is constantly rushing around the restaurant. She's (we think) just ensuring quality and speedy service for the customers.

Most of the people around you will be searing up thin pieces of beef called bulgogi. Looks yummy, haven't tried it myself. You will first be served kimchee along with several other enjoyable appetizers, but don't hesitate to ask for the sushi a la carte menu. The sushi bar is small and hidden behind a half wall. Spam Musubi and I ordered Udon with a couple sushi rolls and we weren't disappointed. The udon is appealing, but for some reason it costs nine bucks a bowl! (That's at least better than another sushi place that asks for $14!!) Do two pieces of tempura shrimp really add that much to the price?

As for the makisushi, we really liked the "Sam Woo roll" which contained a gratifying combo of eel, avacado and crab, and a tasty sweet (bbq?) sauce drizzled on top. The hamachi roll was decent and better than the spicy tuna. And everything (save the udon) was reasonably priced. Time for the ratings...

The good:
Attentive service
The "Sam Woo" roll
Quality for the cost

The bad:
Another place with expensive udon
Small sushi bar, small selection

Overall:
Certainly recommended for anyone who has never visited. The prices are generally low, and the food is tasty across the board. Don't hesitate to try the Korean dishes, even if you came for the sushi.

Sam Woo

*That's Llyod, one of the awesome Entourage characters. He's there as a treat for the ladies. :)

Matuba

Matuba is located on Cordell Ave near Caddies, Nam's, and La Panetteria. It's a popular lunch spot, mainly because of the quick service and straight-forward sushi. Parking can be found in the garage at the end of the street, or along the street itself if you're lucky. Cordell Ave always seems to have a lively crowd, no matter where you go.

It seems like Matuba could use a little work. The lunchtime salad bar was bland and not as fresh as you would expect. The plastic samples of their sushi in the window gives the place an air of cheesiness. As for the sushi itself, don't come here expecting a whole lot. The maki is loosely rolled, the rice is a weird texture, the ingredients are missing the freshness found at other sushi joints (the hamachi was most notably disappointing), and the nigiri appeared hastily shaped. I've been here a couple times, with both Spam Musubi and O-ren Sushii, and my experience has not altered.

There is a nifty rotating sushi bar in the back of the restaurant (pictured above), but I have not tried it yet.

All of the above is reflected in the final bill, as Matuba is one of the cheaper places to eat sushi in Bethesda. They do have a few bona fide lunch specials. However, I can't shake the feeling that the prices are still a bit high for the value of the food. One might be troubled to discern Matuba's sushi from a grocery store's.

The good:
Lower prices
Fast service, usually
Lunch specials

The bad:
Economical but mediocre makizushi and nigiri
Cheese factor

Overall:
Quick and easy--the McDonald's of sushi restaurants. Yea, I'll be back like always.

Matuba

Upcoming: Aji Nippon, Sam Woo (Rockville)

Wasabi Zen (Olney)

Olney? Alll-neee? Ull-knee?* Yes, Olney! This town has a lot of nice restaurants for its size. Here are a few of them:

Mannequin Pis: A great Belgian spot that also satisfies the top notch beer conneiseur.

Madison's(link currently down): Pretty good American fare, and oh yea, that wonderful Cuckoo's Nest/Stained Glass Pub Too dive bar upstairs.

Hunan Delight: Damn good Chinese food. General Tsao was an honorable man. Take-out is recommended, and the leftovers will be just as good.

The Ale House: An Olney institution. Good burgers, good beer selection (especially on Thursdays).

Olney Grille: Another Olney landmark. Tasty ribs, and a good place to accidentally run into high school teachers from 10 years ago.

There are more first-rate eats in Olney, but we're going to focus in on Wasabi Zen.

Wasabi Zen is tucked away in a corner between a KFC and a gas station. Doesn't sound so great so far, I know. It's a small but attractive joint once you walk inside. There's an anti-social room in the back where the waitresses can forget about you. Still not sounding great, ok, hang on. Occasionally it takes a little too long to get your food at Wasabi, but that might be due to the high volume of take out orders. Ok, ok, ok! However the sushi is worth waiting for. Very tasty, fresh, and ingredient-rich makizushi is served here. Pretty much any complex roll is delicious and put together very well. And we at Bethesda Sushi hope you just received your paycheck...

The good:
Complex roll selection and quality
A neat pared cucumber desert (can't remember the name)
Quaint atmosphere

The bad:
Price
Slow service
Parking can be tough if people are crowding the other restaurants nearby

Overall:
Very good sushi. Unfortunately Wasabi Zen suffers from the same, central problem as Tako Grill--many quality rolls, but at higher prices. There's a lack of sake choices as well. All in all, Wasabi Zen is certainly worth a couple visits a year.

Wasabi Zen