2309 Wisconsin Ave, NW - Washington, DC - (202) 333-4187

PETER:
IMHO (insert nerd noise here), SushiKo is better than ever with the spartan eastern decor and a menu more sophisticated and focused than other area sushi restaurants. The miso soup washed down the evening's first Kirin very nicely and then it was on to the main course. Though the name is bland, a sushi platter is a kind of culinary currency that allows easy comparison with other sushi restaurants. The exchange rate is good for the SushiKo sushi platter: melt-in-your-mouth fish over only a representation of rice, and cucumber and California rolls with clean, crisp, distinct tastes. Some might say the portions aren't large or filling. They should stay away. That, or order the banana with red bean spring roll for desert along with a cup of nicely weighted green tea.

DARCY:
As a vegetarian looking for more selection than straight-up cucumber rolls at a sushi restaurant (I know, vegetarian sushi?), Sushi-Ko is a long-standing favorite for me. Besides the veggie sushi plate (cucumber/avocado rolls, gourd and spinach rolls, shitake mushroom something or other, and a few other assorted goodies), there is a very good asparagus and red pepper roll that can be ordered a la carte. Dessert (banana tempura) is not something I usually order, but what the hell. It was darn good. Food aside, I'm not so keen on their remodeling efforts (save for the swank bathroom). The second floor feels something like an upper-scale cafeteria (with small children running around to boot) offering little to no privacy (oh, I forgot...this is DC where it's "in" to sit smack on top of your dining neighbors, eavesdrop on intimate conversations, and by all means, check out the latest in food and fashion). Too, if the prices continue to rise, the exclusivity of the place is bound to annoy (and prevent non-profit types like myself from partaking).

CHRISTIAN:
I'm a little torn on this place. I got the sushi sampler platter (comes with both nigiri and maki sushi). The fish was good quality and fresh, but the spicy tuna roll I ordered a la carte was decidedly lacking in character. My dessert (banana tempura with blackberry ice cream) was stellar, though. Arguably, you get what you pay for: this place is a bit more expensive across the board than other D.C. sushi restaurants I've visited recently. Note: the funky men's bathroom on the second floor by itself may be worth the price of admission (assuming you can figure out how to turn on the sink).

Also in attendance was Randy.