Love Makoto

4.5 large building with 3 restaurants within and takeout. omakase at the dear sushi 85 and nice deal, 5 course. the snacks had red miso and seaweed. the rolls were tuna and crab for old school new school but the crab was mixed with imitation and didn't blend well and also weak ricethe sushi was snapper salmon tuna yellowtail and toro all two ways, overall good garnishes, nice smoked otoroaoyuzu dessert

In the bustling heart of Washington D.C., where power lunches and political maneuverings are the order of the day, Love, Makoto emerges as a sanctuary for those seeking an authentic taste of Japan. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a multifaceted culinary journey crafted by Chef Makoto Okuwa, a man whose passion for his homeland's cuisine is evident in every meticulously prepared dish. Upon entering, you're greeted by a striking red hallway, reminiscent of Kyoto's iconic torii gates, leading you into a space that seamlessly blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with modern design. Each section within Love, Makoto offers a distinct experience, catering to a variety of culinary desires.For those who revere the art of sushi, Dear Sushi provides an omakase experience that dances between time-honored traditions and innovative interpretations. At $85 per person, it's a journey through flavors that showcases Chef Okuwa's dedication to his craft, offering both "Old School" and "New School" tastes. Beloved BBQ invites you to partake in a high-end yakiniku experience. Here, smokeless grills embedded in each table allow diners to personally sear premium cuts like Japanese A-5 Wagyu and heritage-breed American beef. It's interactive dining at its finest, where the quality of the meat speaks volumes. For a more relaxed atmosphere, Hiya Izakaya serves as a vibrant Japanese bar. With an extensive selection of whisky highballs, sake, and inventive cocktails, it's the perfect spot to unwind. The menu features bar bites like karaage (fried chicken) paired with a smoky yuzu aioli, offering a delightful fusion of flavors. If time is of the essence, Love on the Run caters to those seeking quick yet delectable options. House-made noodles for ramen and udon dishes are a highlight, ensuring that even a fast-casual meal doesn't compromise on authenticity or taste. Love, Makoto is more than just a dining destination; it's a heartfelt homage to Japanese cuisine. Chef Makoto Okuwa has curated a space where each concept offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of Japan's culinary landscape. Whether you're a seasoned sushi aficionado or a curious newcomer, there's something here to tantalize every palate.In a city where dining often intersects with diplomacy, Love, Makoto stands out as a testament to the universal language of good food. It's probably the best you'll find on the East Coast outside of falling a hair shortage of New York City's best. Reasonably close approximation to the best you'd get in California, and still a distance from the best sushi in Japan. Over all very, very good. It's just that the heights in sushi are Everest. This restaurant is very good.

I was able to check out Love Makoto for the first time for lunch during Restaurant Week, but best believe this will not be the last!The restaurant is located in a building that houses a lot of different dining options - there's a "food hall" right around the corner. There aren't a ton of tables available, so highly recommend making reservations vs walking in to avoid a wait. I selected the RW omakase menu, which is the exact same menu they offer outside of RW at a discounted price. The lunch omakase features miso soup, edamame, two hand rolls, 5 pieces of sushi, and a dessert. It's a well rounded meal that left me feeling satiated, but not overly stuffed, by the end. They also offer a couple of nonalcoholic drink options for those that do not want to partake. The ingredients were all high quality, fresh, and delicious. It's hard to pick which of the items I tried as a fave, but I will say that I almost ordered another baked crab hand roll since it was so buttery and tasty. All of the sushi was equally as good, but I think I enjoyed the o-toro most because it has a little spicy kick to it. Overall, the service was excellent and I didn't have one bad thing while I was there. I can't wait to come back and try out some more of the menu items

I discovered this food hall by a happy accident! I needed a quick spot to eat before and concert on a Saturday and saw that they had happy hour. When I walked in, I was captivated by the architecture and the welcoming vibe of the space. Everyone is so friendly, especially the hostess Robin, and I truly enjoy making the drive out to this spot as often as I can, esp coming from VA! I have now been to three of the four restaurants in there. Dear Sushi was my most recent visit for Restaurant Week 2025 to try the omakase experience. It was AMAZING! Everything was so fresh and absolutely delish! I will say that it's preferred to have a reservation but I lucked up on a walk in for a quick lunch. Seating is limited in this space.I have been to Hiya Izakaya twice now. The first time before my concert and again with a friend so that she could get the Love, Makoto experience, too! Happy hour is here and it's walk in only. I do recommend getting there early because it gets crowded fast. The drinks are strong and the food is so good! I tried Love On the Run during another visit and this time, it was just a little adventure since the HH spot was closed for an event, which is why I was initially there for this trip.. I ended up getting a coffee drink, a donut, and a side of fried rice. Everything was fresh and tasty! The space is open with a bunch of tables for seating and self order kiosks. I plan on going back to finally try the Korean BBQ concept called Beloved BBQ. That is reservations only and the seating is small and more intimate. Hopefully, I'll be able to add an updated review once I get to try it out. Parking in this area is scarce but most is on the street. There is a parking garage but I'm assuming the price is a bit steep. All in all, I definitely recommend giving this spot a try and enjoy the good vibes that come with each concept of this food hall!

I do really like the matcha latte. It's one of my favorites in the city. & for some reason I really really like their soy marinated soft boiled egg. Their ramen was just alright for me. The noodles weren't soft enough. :(I took some leftovers home so maybe it's a better-on-the-second-day type of meal.

We visited Dear Sushi at Love Makoto for Valentine's Day and had an amazing time! We had made a reservation and quickly were seated upon check in. The ambiance was intimate and cozy. The decor matched the concept of the restaurant with the love letter menu and the heart shaped soy sauce. The staff was SO attentive and friendly.We both had the Omakase which was our first Omakase experience. It was a 10/10 experience! Each course, the staff explained the food items and how the chef recommend eating them and in what order. Loved the idea of trying old school and new school variations of the food. The presentation was great and all the food was sooo delicious. We added on the Hot Stone Wagyu which was also super delightful. The meat was so soft and it was fun to cook it on a mini hot stone ourselves. The dessert was also very tasty, and the staff even took a Polaroid photo of us! The Polaroid was then put in a cute photo sleeve with a thank you note for celebrating with them! The price point is 100% worth the experience. Definitely recommend this spot for a special occasion and can't wait to be back!

I visited Dear Sushi for Restaurant Week and it was fabulous! For Restaurant Week, we had the standard omakase for $35 which is a great deal - it's normally $42 (which is still a steal)! Note: They add a 20% automatic gratuity to the bill.We had seats at the bar for a 12:15pm lunch. We were told that the next reservation was 1pm (so no lingering!). Even with the 45-minute limit, we didn't feel rushed - it was the perfect amount of time for an express lunch.Before the meal began, we were presented with warm hand towels to get washed up (I love the emphasis on clean eating!). After placing our orders for the omakase, we were promptly served with our own individual servings of edamame topped with sea salt and a tea cup of miso soup. Once we finished the snack, the waiter came to pour the soy sauce into our dishes which revealed a cute heart design at the bottom to accentuate the Love, Makoto point of view.This is a different style omakase where instead of watching a chef prepare piece by piece at the counter, everything is done back in the kitchen and brought out to the table on the same plate. While less formal, it makes it a great option for a quick omakase.For our next course, we had two hand rolls - a spicy tuna roll served in nori and a baked crab roll served in a white rice paper roll. The hand rolls were brought out on a wooden love seat - I loved the presentation and contrasting colors. The baked crab roll was very creamy with its mayo-based dynamite sauce. It ate messy, but fortunately, we were proactively provided with small hand wipes to make for an easy clean-up.After the hand rolls, we moved on to the main event - the sushi! Five different pieces were presented - tai snapper, salmon, bluefin tuna, hamachi, and o-toro. I'm partial to hamachi, so that was my favorite piece, but they were all delicious! The fish was excellent quality and it was a good portion size. I would be happy to have this meal over and over again. Once we finished the sushi, we were given the option to order additional pieces and dishes a la carte.No meal is complete without dessert ~ pineapple was the sorbet flavor of the week, and it was the perfect palate cleanser to a satisfying meal. Service was great. They explained each dish as they were brought to the table. I have no complaints. Every staff member that we interacted with wanted to ensure that we had a pleasant experience, and we certainly did. Dear Sushi & Love, Makoto - thank you for an amazing meal. I will see you again soon :)

This review is for Beloved BBQ: We came in for a 9 pm weekend reservation and were seated right away. The restaurant is nestled in the Love Makoto food hall. It has dark moody lighting, and each table has its own personal grill for cooking the meats. We enjoyed some unique and flavorful cocktails. We opted to each do the Omakase. It came with four different types of beef, all of it very tasty. Each beef varied in fat content. The omakase also came with pickled veggies and white steamed rice. The pickled cucumbers and kimchi were amazing! We also tried the milk buns and the dumplings. The milk buns were fluffy and decadent. The dumplings were thick and the dough very fresh!Everything was very good. It was too much food, and we cooked all the raw beef and took some to-go. It was a fun experience, and the dinner was quick. We were done in about an hour. You go at your own pace. I would recommend checking out Love Makoto food hall! Great spot for date night.

An AMAZING experience at Dear Sushi!First, if you go in the front door to the "Order here" area, that is not all of the options!! I went and was immediately disappointed but decided to explore around and found Dear Sushi. I sat at the bar with my "love letter from the chef" and had the Omakase. Such an incredibly journey of flavors through the flavors you're used to and some great ones to add. Service was impeccable, drinks were fantastic. Only in DC will you get Michelin star vibes, food and service in a food hall! I'll be back because the New School Nigiri bites will live in my dreams!

Celebrated my birthday with Love Makoto! Super excited and had been looking forward to going for a bit. Started with edamame and their bourbon signature, Makoto Paper Plane. Was perfect! Loved the spicy cucumber salad, super refreshing with a kick. Food was great. Small portions, like tapas. Sushi was fresh and the crab hand roll was very yummy!Our servers were attentive and kind. Made great suggestions and provided overall great care for our meal. Ambiance was super chill. Great place for a date!! 10/10 overall.