Sushi Nakazawa

For my birthday, I had the pleasure of dining at Sushi Nakazawa's sushi bar, opting for their classic omakase ($190) with the wine and sake pairing--a splurge that was absolutely worth it. From the moment we arrived, the experience felt special. The team greeted me with a thoughtful handwritten note wishing me a happy birthday, a small but meaningful touch that set the tone for the evening.The 20-piece omakase was a masterclass in precision and freshness. Each piece was beautifully crafted, showcasing the natural flavors of the fish with just the right balance of seasoning. The Hokkaido uni was luxuriously creamy, the chutoro and otoro melted like butter, and the Hokkaido scallop had an incredible sweetness that paired perfectly with the lightly seasoned rice. Every bite was carefully curated, with subtle enhancements--like a touch of soy, citrus, or wasabi--that never overpowered the fish.The wine and sake pairing was equally impressive. Each selection was thoughtfully chosen to complement the progression of flavors throughout the meal, enhancing the experience without overshadowing the sushi itself. The sommelier provided insightful explanations, making each sip feel intentional and well-paired.Sitting at the sushi bar elevated the experience, allowing us to watch the chefs work with precision and care. The atmosphere was refined yet welcoming, and the service was seamless--attentive without being intrusive.By the end of the meal, we were completely satisfied--tummy happy, taste buds delighted. The portions were well-balanced, leaving us full but never overly stuffed.Parking Tip: Street parking on weekends can be a challenge, so arriving early or opting for a rideshare is recommended.Sushi Nakazawa delivered an unforgettable omakase experience, and I'd absolutely return for another special occasion.

It's disappointing for me to write this review, as I've been a long-time fan of Sushi Nakazawa. I've dined at the DC location three times and at the NYC location once, but my last two visits to DC have fallen short of expectations. The quality of the fish remains exceptional--always fresh and expertly prepared--but the service has been among the worst I've experienced at a restaurant of this caliber.During our most recent visit a few weeks ago, we had a reservation at the sushi counter to celebrate a special occasion. Upon arrival, the hostess asked about the occasion, which we confirmed. However, once seated at the bar, the chef looked directly at us but said nothing. It was awkward enough that I felt compelled to initiate the conversation, greeting him and mentioning how glad we were to be there. His response was barely noticeable, setting a cold tone that persisted throughout the meal. No one smiled, and the atmosphere was far from welcoming.We opted for the Super Omakase experience ($300+ per person). Early in the meal, we discussed a fish add-on with our server, who suggested waiting to decide. We agreed but were never asked again. Each course was plated with only a brief mention of the fish type--no details about sourcing, preparation, or regional background. Strangely, the same chef who was disengaged with us was considerably more personable with the couple seated next to us, engaging in conversation and creating a stark contrast that did not go unnoticed.As the meal ended, the server placed the bill down without checking on the fish add-on we had expressed interest in. The chef served dessert and immediately began cleaning up. Despite the initial acknowledgment of our celebration when we arrived, no one mentioned it again, nor did anyone congratulate my partner. For a Michelin-starred restaurant charging over $300 per person, this level of service is unacceptable. We felt like an inconvenience--especially with a later reservation at 9:30 pm, where it seemed clear the staff just wanted to close up for the night.I provided this feedback through Rezy the following day but received no response. A close friend of mine, who is Japanese and a fan of Nakazawa, shared that he had a similarly disappointing experience and was equally surprised at the lack of hospitality. Upon leaving, he even told the server, "I hope the service team has a better day."Exceptional food is only part of the dining experience--service and hospitality matter just as much, especially at this price point. Unfortunately, after repeated disappointing visits, we will not be returning.

This was by bar the best meal I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing in my life. This omakase had us smiling from ear to ear over and over. Each bite topped the previous. I could not believe that sushi could be this good.The service we received was exceptional as well. Our coats were checks, we had all our questions answered and our server was super friendly! I am already dreaming about eating another piece of that fatty tuna belly.The space is small and intimate. If you can get a seat at the bar, do it, but the dining room is excellent as well.

I had been looking forward to trying Sushi Nakazawa for a while and finally got around to it. My expectations were high, and for the most part, the experience delivered. The fish quality lived up to its Michelin star. Every piece was incredibly fresh, expertly prepared, and imported from Japan.The highlights were the uni, hay-smoked ocean trout, soy-marinated king salmon (I got the last belly piece!), golden eye snapper, ikura, scallop, and otoro. The otoro was rich and buttery as expected, but the uni was on another level. I had never been a huge uni fan, but turns out, I've just never had uni as fresh as this. It was hands down the best uni I've ever had. Very delicate taste that just melted in my mouth. The ikura also melted in my mouth and had a pure, clean flavor. The horse mackerel (Aji) was impressively fresh with no fishiness. Out of the entire omakase, only one piece had a fishy taste, and that was due to the type of fish itself. Despite eating so much raw fish, I left without any lingering aftertaste.Service was good but not exceptional for the $250 per person price. They provided a finger towel for eating sushi by hand and changed it frequently. However, the chef never adjusted the plating for my left-handedness and continued to serve as he would for a right-handed guest. He was knowledgeable and friendly once I initiated conversation, but overall, the atmosphere at the counter felt more stiff than warm. None of the chefs really engaged with diners beyond announcing the name of each fish unless spoken to, and no one at the bar seemed to be chatting with them either. It would have been nice if the chefs tried to strike up conversations and engage the people who paid extra to sit at the bar.Overall, Sushi Nakazawa is worth trying for avid sushi lovers in the area. The fish is outstanding, and the omakase highlights premium ingredients, just be prepared to pull your wallets out. That said, I'm still thinking about that uni.

Sushi Nakazawa is an one star Michelin sushi restaurant with the prices to boot but IMHO, was worth it. There is an additional upcharge for sitting at the counter where you can watch the chef. Interesting to watch but we've done both and you can save by eating in the dining room. There is only an omakase menu (20 pieces of sushi plus dessert) and there are usually add-ons available for additional charges. Add-ons were pricey for what you get IMHO. Love how each sushi piece is seasoned just right where you don't need to dip in soy sauce (and side soy sauce isn't provided anyhow). So now this is the only way I eat sushi. Pricey but well worth the experience! Service was excellent and deserving of the Michelin star.

Everything I ate here was really tasty. When I usually get omakase and get chef's choice, there's always a few pieces I don't like. That's what I was expecting but my experience left me wanting more. Overall, a very pricey place but it was a good experience. The restaurant only had 6 guests, including me on a Saturday afternoon so you feel like you're in an exclusive high end place. I also doubted that I'd be full at the end but I definitely was. The menu changes depending on what's in season so I'd definitely go back again. I was able to try some yuzu sushi pieces which I will probably never be able to again since it's so unique. I didn't even realize that there was no soy sauce until the end of the meal. It's not even needed since every bite is perfected.

Sitting at the sushi counter and eating each piece in a single bite seconds after preparation is always to go with omakase. Sushi Nakazawa doesn't disappoint with high quality ingredients, expertly prepared, and great attention to service. I didn't really have a wow moment but was very happy with the quality and price paid. Parking is a little tricky with street parking having a 2h limit during day. The 3h evening limit is much more doable if you can find a space. Service was almost exactly 2h from start to finish we ended up paying $40 plus tip to park with the hotel valet without having to worry.

Came here as a surprise for our celebratory anniversary dinner! Highly recommend reserving in advance to get the date and time you need as they get booked out pretty early. We did the omakase at a dining table, which was an excellent experience. Each piece was perfectly prepared and presented. It was probably the most high quality omakase I've ever had. Although one of the pieces I had came with a bone. As soon as we brought it up to the staff, they promptly addressed it and brought me another complimentary piece which was very much appreciated. Service was so attentive and prompt. As soon as I took a sip of water, someone was already on the way over to refill my glass. When I got up to go to the bathroom, a staff member would come by and fold my towel. At the end of our meal, they provided us a dessert with a candle and a personalized card. I would highly recommend coming here at least once to see what they have to offer. It's worth it for a special occasion!

WOWWhat an experience. Hands down pretty mind blowingly decadent sushi in various combinations and presentations which are quite well thought out and unique.Price point is pretty high IMHO. This is a once in a while place, not an anytime place. But well worth it if it's a special occasion.

Exceptional service and food. I believe we got 18 pieces and dessert and i enjoyed every piece. Even items that i don't normally enjoy like eel were fantastic here. I guess quality really does matter. One small thing I didnt like was that they use a butane torch a good amount. Sometimes you can taste the gas of the butane. Also compared to other omakase places of this caliber, nakazawa has become the more affordable option as other places have skyrocketed their prices.