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)