Game over for sushi taro

Short of it, we will never come back. Unfortunately after years of coming to sushi taro, it is all over with the new menu. It was our weekend tradition to come to sushi taro for many years. While we loved the new decor, we struggled to order anything from the menu. Everything we used to love about sushi taro is gone forever. We had a mediocre dinner that was over priced and left disappointed. $70/person can get you a much better experience elsewhere. Obviously management chose to go high end, but doing so pushed sushi taro into a different market and range. Unfortunately the place is not up to par of high end restaurant, but is no longer an affordable quality sushi place either. Take your money elsewhere.

Not sure why I was disappointed...

I ate lunch here last week after reading Mr. Sietsma's glowing review. The sushi and side dishes were excellent, and not unaffordable. But I did not find Sushi Taro to be "one of the most fascinating restaurants in Washington. Perhaps I was expecting more after reading his review?

Finally!

We tried the sashmimi tasting menu, and each course was delicious! Sushi Taro rivals some of the Japanese restaurants I loved in NYC. The first course of tofu topped with fresh uni was a delicious start to the meal. The "third appetizer" of an assortment of cooked fish was probably my favorite course. I was a little disappointed in the dessert course, which was basically fresh fruit inside jell-o -- for some reason good Japanese desserts are a rarity.

Step in the wrong direction

Sushi Taro once occupied a true 'sweet spot' by balancing: native Japanese authenticity with local American contributions, fine dining experiences with a casual sushi bar scene, and highly attentive service expected by Japanese patrons and simple, good service. All of that is gone. It is now expensive, pretentious, and offers less choice. I cannot think of anything I saw that I considered an improvement. I used to go semi-often. I do not plan to return.

Sounds terrific...

Good sushi is hard to find.

If you love turtles, this is not your place

Although many turtle species are extinct already and the 300 species alive today are highly endangered, this Sushi Taro does not have any problem in supporting its extermination from the planet. But turtles are not enough so instead of red snapper sushi, Sushi Taro sells baby snapper sushi. Andres http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/sushi-taro,792610.html?subReview=AR&sub=AR#

Disappointed

I went to Sushi Taro for the first time since they re-opened, for lunch. I used to feel welcome at the old restaurant but now the atmosphere is pretentious, hostile, and snooty. I wanted to get sushi of my choice (remember the list and pencil they used to give you?) but was coldly told that I have to order off the (very limited) lunch menu. In the back of the restaurant, the sushi bar (which only sits 6) is closed for dinner only and you need a reservation to sit there. Also, the hostess told me that in order to sit there, they charge you $100 MINIMUM to sit there. I probably will never return there. I felt sad at the hostile, cold atmosphere compared to what Sushi Taro used to be like. If you do go there, you better have a reservation.

Sushi Taro still has the best sushi

I went to the new Sushi Taro today and marvelled at the changes. The place looks classy. I was a bit confused when I looked at the menu as it has changed and it was written in Japanese with English names but no indication on what were in the dishes. I was expecting to see my usual bento box. My friend and I asked the waitress one by one what was in the menu and she patiently explained everything to us. My friend was very happy with the sushi she had. Although I was not crazy about the custard which came with my order, the cherashi which is a combination of sushi with miso soup was outstanding. I do miss the old Sushi Taro but I will still come to the new one as I know I can always get great sushi here.

Best sushi in DC

It's expensive but the fish is unreal.

Unbelievably RUDE

Apparently, Sushi Taro no longer needs anyone's business. I dropped by for the first time since the renovation, and instead of the former friendly atmosphere was stonewalled by two rude young women who told me quite coldly that I could not sit at the bar, and that perhaps I could wait an hour to see if a seat opened up. Of course a table was out of the question without a reservation (at 8:30p on a Thursday nite). I travel and eat out from coast to coast, and have never been treated more like a leper in a restaurant in my life. There is no place that is so amazing to put up with being treated that way. I've seen people walking in to true 5-star restaurants treated much better. With this attitude, they'll be gone by Christmas

Taro heart ripped out....

I understand people giving the remodeled restaurant high marks as it is beautiful, food quality high, etc. However, I suggest they change the name to something else. This new place, good as it may be, should not be allowed to travel on the good name that "Sushi Taro" built. We were loyal, loyal, loyal customers (often several times a week) so I think we, and all of the other loyal customers who are heartbroken, have every right to give the new, so-called "Sushi Taro" low stars. Mr. Yamakazi has shown his dislike of cash by sacrificing the location of Sushi Taro to his new ideals instead of opening another establishment altogether. I doubt it'll make it in the long haul.

It's a different place

I think it's unfair to give a restaurant low ratings because it does not resemble its former self. Lots of places (Ko and Kaz) offer same or lower value for their food and don't get criticized. The new place is great, the food is fantastic and certainly more authentic than any others in town. The food is delicate(sushi even better). The transformation makes it on par with Makoto, except the setting is more elegant and relaxed. Now I can take my clients here for business dinners. Their lunchs are fantastic, but don't expect to pay burger joint prices. I like their classic Kaiseki for dinner and hot soba with small Chirashi for lunch. Yes, you may get less food value for your buck, but you are also paying for the decor now.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

Sushi Taro used to be a great place to get a bite now everything about the place sucks. Its smaller, the menu sucks and its expensive. Why would you change it if it was working??

Come Back, Sushi Taro.

Dear Sushi Taro, Please don't stick with this terrible plan. It's like a very mean joke, but worse. Your new floors are beautiful, and having a space for the bar is a good idea, but I'd sit on a dirt floor and drink water from the Potomac if it meant that I could eat your sushi again. Please come back.

Sad.

Dear Sushi Taro, Please don't stick with this terrible plan. It's like a very mean joke, but worse. Your new floors are beautiful, and having a space for the bar is a good idea, but I'd sit on a dirt floor and drink water from the Potomac if it meant that I could eat your sushi again. Please come back.

The end of an era

I have lived in DC for 8 years, and during those 8 years have been a faithful patron of Sushi Taro. When guests came to town, I took them to Sushi Taro. As a lover of outstanding sushi, I have tried many places in DC, NYC and other cities. Nothing compared to Sushi Taro. I only wish I had known that my last sushi dinner there was in fact my last sushi dinner there. I am woefully disappointed by the complete overhaul of a perfectly good thing. If you are looking for the old menu, you won't find it. The new menu is pretentious (not to mention devoid of sushi) and I wouldn't be surprised if Sushi Taro's die-hard fans revolt en masse. To the owner: please reconsider.

Sushi Taro R.I.P.

What I and many other traditionalists seeking great sushi, a long list of offerings from a large sushi bar, and knowledgeable sushi chefs have been renovated away into a soulless and sterile atmosphere. The nigiri and other sushi bar offerings have been reduced from 50 or more down to a dozen at most. The waitress at the "bar" did not know anything about sushi. I used to eagerly await my twice monthly visits to Sushi Taro. Now I mourn the loss of a great friend and dining experience. Sadly, another great restaurant has given way to the trendy and ostentatious. Sushi Taro, Rest in Piece.

Sushi Taro's Evil Twin.

What's really unsettling is that the place, even when full, is now nearly silent. If you know Sushi Taro, you know that ain't right.The new menu is Bad. Not disappointing, but genuinely, offensively Bad. People-walking-out-as-soon-as-they-saw-it Bad. Me-upset-that-I-wasn't-one-of-them Bad. Gone is any hint of simple elegance; pretty much everything on the old menu has been replaced with weak attempts at refined exotica. To the chef's credit, the nigiri is still fantastic. But the prices? How does $7 to $9 per piece sound? Yeah, I thought the same thing. And the other offerings? If you're going to ape David Chang, at least get the flavors right. As for trying to pass it off as more 'authentic'? Please. Makoto, here I come.

Not the Same Place it Used To Be

Tonight was the first time I made it out to the newly renovated Sushi Taro. Sadly, while I may make it out there once more on a special occasion, there may not be many return visits. The new Sushi Taro has gone upscale, gone is the sushi bar, noise and well, variety of sushi you used to be able to get, replaced with a much more upscale fare. The food on the new menu is fantastic, but the price matches the quality. Sea Scallops, the Clams and the fish were delicious, but their staple of affordable, best in town sushi has dwindled to only a few choice cuts. Don't get me wrong, the food is still amazing and better looking inside than ever, but it's not the same Sushi Taro that I used to know and love. Sadly, I may have been priced out.