Spork and Knife

Combining good fresh fish with low cost is usually not an option, so when I heard about a sushi restaurant that displayed both qualities I grabbed D and we headed out for what was hopefully going to be a delightful and inexpensive dinner.

Kotobuki is a tiny Japanese restaurant across from Black Salt in the Palisades neighborhood of NW D.C..  We walked up to the second floor dining room and were instantly greeted by the nicest lady.  She showed us to our table (one of roughly 8-10) and we got down to the business of ordering.  I should mention that the surroundings were very cute and traditional but bare bones.  In this situation, I was only thinking about the sushi and price and if you venture here (which you should) I suggest you go with the same mindset.

Wanting to try an appetizer I asked for an order of shumai (shrimp) dumplings for $4.50 to go with our spicy tuna, yellow tail and spicy scallop rolls (roughly $3.25 each).  D rounded out the meal with a few pieces of octopus and eel sashimi priced at $1 a piece.  (These are not happy hour prices.) 

Since there were only 4 other diners everything was brought out to us in a snap.  I glanced over at the sushi chef and was amazed at the level of speed and precision with which he operated.  The shumai dumplings are a new favorite and each piece of fish was some of the freshest I’ve had in a long time.  The rolls we ordered were not fancy, but when things are fresh there’s no need for cream cheese, tempura or other add-ons.  The spicy rolls were actually spicy, and thanks to a recent debacle D gladly finished my share.  He also commented that the octopus was some of the best he’s ever had, and this is saying something since he eats a fair amount of sushi.  The eel was of similar quality and I quickly regretted not ordering more.    

The night was rounded out with a bill for $20 and two satisfied customers.  I left wishing Kotobuki was around the corner from my place, but will return to its sleepy corner of NW D.C. the next time I have a craving for sushi. 

To read the Washington Post review click here.

Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant

4822 MacArthur Blvd. NW

Washington, D.C. 20007

202-625-9080