Sushi By Bou- DC @ CitizenM Hotel L'enfant Plaza

This one threw me for a surprise. Saw a Facebook ad for a sale on the 12 course if you prepaid, so I went for it and glad I did. Made a reservation for first meal of the night, decided to pay the 35$ charge to upgrade to the 17 course "bougie" experience as well.Arrived a little early as I had a meeting in the area beforehand. This restaurant sits on the rooftop of the CitizenM hotel and opens promptly at 5pm. Got there at 4:45 wanting a pre-meal drink and come to find out I couldnt go up til 5pm. Had a drink at the lobby bar and it wasn't a great experience, but nonetheless worth noting that if you get the 5pm time slot to not come early.As soon as I got up to the rooftop though, wow. Sean, our sushi chef for the night, greeted us after the waiter sat us. His energy was great, staying engaged throughout the roughly hour long experience. We started with some Heavensake Junmai 12 (included in the Facebook ad special) and moved quickly into the omakase.This is a very compressed hour long omakase. No composed dishes at all, just nigiri and hand rolls. Some of the stars of the 17 course were the threadfish with shiso pesto (this one threw me but wow pesto on nigiri is pretty awesome), Wagyu/uni hand roll, miso cod hand roll, the Hokkaido scallop nigiri (so perfect), and the finishing negritoro hand roll. Only one piece (I believe it was sea bream topped with black truffle pate) didn't make the mark for me. Excellent quality of fish, Sean did a great job explaining every piece and engaging on facts about each fish, and everything tasted great.Overall this was a wonderful experience from start to finish with an incredible view, albeit a touch short. Id recommend going out for drinks or dessert afterwards, but 125 with tax and tip for a 17 course omakase with 2 glasses of sake is a pretty excellent deal.

Sushi by Bou at the Citizen Hotel DC was a fantastic omakase experience that offered great fish portions, vibrant energy, and an unbeatable sunset view--all at a very reasonable price for omakase in DC.We booked the first seating of the night, which I highly recommend if you can snag a spot. With only 10 seats at the table, the intimate setup allows you to really enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. Since they do quick turnarounds, arriving early ensures you get the freshest start to the night.The omakase itself was excellent, with generous portions of high-quality fish, each piece perfectly balanced in flavor and texture. It felt indulgent yet approachable, making it a great option for both seasoned omakase lovers and newcomers alike.Beyond the food, the atmosphere was lively, colorful, and electric, with a fun, Miami-inspired vibe that felt more relaxed and playful compared to the typical upscale omakase setting. It's the perfect spot for a chill but elevated night out.Cocktail-wise, the Yuzu Honeybee (made with Maker's Mark and pink peppercorn) was a standout--unique, slightly spicy, and well-balanced. After dinner, we took advantage of the beautiful sunset views from the balcony, sipping more cocktails and unwinding with great conversation. It was the perfect way to ease into the evening.If you're looking for a fun, high-quality omakase experience in DC that doesn't break the bank, Sushi by Bou is a great choice. Would definitely return--especially for that first round seating again!

What an incredible omakase experience! The sushi was delicious, and the atmosphere was on point. The space had a total vibe, complete with an outdoor area offering a stunning view of the Capitol Building.From start to finish, the service was excellent. We had a dedicated host, servers, a bartender, and two sushi chefs, each serving just five guests. With only 10 spots available per hour, the experience felt intimate and exclusive. It was also really affordable. The only downside is the one-hour time slot. While I understand the format, it felt a bit rushed, and I would have loved a little more time to savor each course.Overall, though, it's a must-visit for sushi lovers looking for a unique and memorable dining experience in DC!

This place is across the street from my office.This place is a vibe.This place lays down some delicious dishes.This place has great views!!I knew I had to try out any place that sells it's self as a disco omakase! Treat yourself to the boogie version for an up-charge because the wagyu dish and the umami punched truffle dish were by far the stand-out winners!!I'm taking away a star because the lay-out is kinda awkward. When your last dish is served, you're ushered away from the bar quickly to sit at the lounge area or on the patio so the next seating can be prepared. Feels rushed after such a nice tasting experience. You can do a la carte, or just order drinks from the lounge. Sunsets from the roof are spectacular. Service could be improved but the bones are all there!

We had the best time at this omakase spot. Disclaimer, only the left elevator allows you to get to the restaurant without having a key card otherwise security/hotel staff have to let you up.We were able to do omakase at the bar for date night when they offered a 2 for 1 special. Keep in mind, we enjoyed some of the offerings so much that we stayed another hour and the waitress really took care of us. Just writing this review has my mouth watering and ready to book another reservation! We loved the decor and vibe. Our server was such a delight, she took our drink orders as soon as we were seated and escorted us to our seats at the bar. We both knew we wanted the omakase and were open to add ons. I took a picture of each round for your viewing pleasure. My favorites were the Toro hand roll, miso cod, and white fin tuna but you can't go wrong with any of them! Something to note, there was a couple seated next to us and one of them had a gluten allergy and the Chef was so careful with making sure each item was appropriate for the the one with the gluten allergy! I love a restaurant that really takes care of their patrons.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Sushi By Bou in Washington, DC, and my first sushi omakase experience did not disappoint. Finding the hotel was a breeze, and I was graciously escorted upstairs to the restaurant. From the moment I walked in, the entire staff was friendly, engaging, and truly entertaining, making me feel right at home.The chefs at Sushi By Bou outdid themselves; every bite I took was a masterpiece of flavors and textures. I savored 12 different sushi pieces and sampled 3 more à la carte, each one surpassing my expectations. The variety and freshness of the ingredients were unparalleled.I also had the opportunity to try three different cocktails, expertly crafted by the talented bartender, Kris. Each drink was a delightful complement to the exquisite sushi. Alejandro kept the positive vibes going all night long, ensuring that we were well taken care of and having a great time.Overall, my experience at Sushi By Bou was nothing short of amazing. The combination of delicious food, outstanding service, and a lively atmosphere made it a night to remember. I can't wait to go back for another round of omakase bliss!

I love the omaskse here! I've been here so many times with my boyfriend and we absolutely love the fresh fish and yummy drinks. The chef is really nice and service is great. The view is nice because it's on the rooftop so you can see the capital!

We came twice in one month because we loved it! The omakase is a great deal! And you will probably be full, but if you aren't, you can always order more at the end. The bartender we had both times is so fun, her name is Kris, and she's so sweet! Her drinks are delicious and she asked if she can choose for us and we were not disappointed. Feel free to ask your bartender for dealer's choice.All the sushi was realllyyy delicious! The quality is so fresh. It's very cool to watch the sushi expert make each round for us. I definitely had my favorites that I wanted to save for the end; but he urged me to eat it quickly for quality/freshness. The spot is so cute inside!! It's a big colorful disco ball. Seating is all very comfortable, which if you follow my reviews you know I think is very important. Oh and it's on a rooftop so the views are pretty nice!

Sushi by Bou has made its way to DC! I've visited Sushi by Bou a few times in New York and finally got to check out the new DC location. It's located in the CitizenM Hotel off of 6th and School Street SW. As other Yelpers have mentioned, you'll take the elevator up to level R to get to Sushi by Bou.When we arrived at Sushi by Bou, the layout was a little confusing. We had a reservation at 6pm for the 12-piece omakase experience ($65 per person) and got there about 10 minutes early (you want to be on time for the omakase seating - they WILL start without you!); the 5pm seating was still dining. We didn't see any front of house or check-in station by the elevators, so we went to the other end of the restaurant thinking that we came in through the back... but the other end is just where the restrooms are. When we made our way back towards the elevator entrance, we were greeted by staff and got checked in for our reservation.Since the first seating was still wrapping up, you're encouraged to take a seat and order drinks while you wait. People were standing around chatting, music was playing, and it was giving happy hour vibes. There's also a variety of seating- high tops, colorful stools, sofa chairs, etc. to enjoy your drinks. The ambiance was a bit boisterous - I don't know that the original Sushi by Bou concept of intimate speakeasy vibes necessarily translates to this location, but perhaps with the disco theme, it's intentional. The views are great. There's outside seating where you can look at the Capitol, and they even added twinkling lights.Once the earlier seating was cleared and the counter was reset, we were invited to take our place at the counter. It's tight seating with 10 spots side-by-side. There are hooks to hang your bags underneath.Before the meal began, the front of house introduced us to the omakase format and walked us though the suggested way to eat each piece ~ with your hands. They provided wet wipes at each spot to sanitize your hands before eating. The menu was posted on the wall and I liked how he explained the progression of the menu - from lean to fatty. Two chefs were standing by to prepare each course - the counter was divided into two sections and each chef was responsible for five guests. The chefs checked if there were any allergies/food sensitivities. We had someone who was sensitive to scallions and the chef was very diligent about keeping that person's item separate when those ingredients were involved. Wait staff checked on guests throughout the night for drink refills; service was excellent.I've had Sushi by Bou before, and this time was as good as any. Actually, this time was better than the last time I dined at Sushi by Bou in New York! The ingredients were fresh and the quality of the fish is apparent. My favorites were the spotted prawn (so buttery), ikura (I love the brininess of the salmon roe and brightness from the yuzu peel), the miso cod (it's topped with a creamy tofu sauce that just melts in your mouth), and the unagi (BBQ eel is always one of my favorites, and it was the perfect finish to a delicious line-up). Any piece finished with the truffle salt was also divine. The only miss for me was the wagyuni (surf and turf) - I could barely taste the uni.Despite a tasty meal overall, the portions were smaller than I'm used to. At the NYC locations, the 12-course meal was plenty filling. Here, it was more like a sample tasting to entice you to order more pieces a la carte. Additional single nigiri pieces cost between $7-$12 depending on the protein, which is a bit steep, in my opinion... you're better off ordering the omakase again.As for the omakase experience itself, the experience wasn't as interactive or engaging as described. With the music blaring and mingling at other tables, there isn't as much focus on the chef as he prepares each piece. Additionally, while he did explain each piece before serving, it was sometimes hard to hear. While the experience and food were pleasant overall, I think there are other omakases in DC to be had.

Sushi by Bou offers a 12-course omakase in under an hour or less. When you make a reservation, you pick an available time slot that works for you. Omakase starts at the bar, right on the hour, and you're seated at the bar with about 10 other people. The chef makes each piece and explains what each one entails. I thought the quality was pretty good! If you've never had omakase before, I'd say that this place is a good affordable option for a simple, basic omakase experience. Staff are very friendly and efficient. We've been two times now and shout out to Chefs Sean and Alexis for taking great care of us! For our first time, they even gave us a complimentary sake shot to take with the staff and other diners! As for the restaurant itself, it's located on the rooftop of the citizenM hotel with fun disco themed decorations. I'd recommend ordering a drink after your omakase experience to enjoy on the rooftop patio where you can have a nice view of the Capitol in the distance. They run promotions pretty frequently, so definitely take advantage of them when you can. I'd also say the space isn't quite kid-friendly or made to cater towards families so just keep that in mind; however, I think this place would be perfect for date night or a night out with friends! We love this place and will become regulars for sure!