2250 Clarendon Blvd # G, Arlington, VA 22201, (703) 243-7007

AMY:
I got a dinner box that contained sushi pieces, a salmon roll, pork katu (or something like that), rice and salad. It came with miso soup beforehand. The miso was very tasty, ginger salad dressing is always good, and the sushi was good quality, but the pieces were small. The pork katu is deep-fried pork slices, but not fried like tempura -- crispier than that. It was very tasty. Even though the sushi pieces were small, it was a good deal for the price. The pickled ginger and wasabi were fresh, which is always a good sign. The place is clean and the decor is appropriately Japanese and pleasant. The menu was very varied, and even had an adequate number of desserts, for a Japanese restaurant. I saw they had green tea ice cream and red bean ice cream. I'd say Asahi is good quality at a good price, even though the sushi pieces are small.

CHRISTIAN:
We'd intended to go to the proven Thai restaurant next door but decided to try something new. As it turned out, we were in for a pleasant surprise. Less than $10 at this mysterious and hidden sushi parlor gets you a high quality roll combo, soup, and salad. Good beer selection, nice atmosphere, and friendly wait staff come as part of the bargain. It's the little things that make a difference, things like a couple of delicately cut pieces of lemon adorning the sushi platter. And the polite bow from the owner or manager (or whoever he was) as we left was a nice touch. The only thing I didn't like was the plastic chop sticks. I'm used to porous, wooden sticks and the plastic ones made eating the salad a bit of a slippery and embarrassing experience. My friends would, not doubt, have teased me mercilessly if they hadn't been having the same problem. I'd be up for a return visit.

Also in attendance was Randy.