Back in the summer I headed to DC's new NAMA KO at 14th & U, NW for Restaurant Week and had a super meal. Now that the "deals" are over, we returned last night and were totally impressed even more with the fabulous fusion food that makes this place so much fun.
Check out the video on my FB page of the presentation of the SMOKY MT FUJI a whiskey drink with Manzanilla, Demara and orange bitters by our server Freddie, who is also the bartender. All the drinks are great here from the Coconut Kiss(Rum, coconut, pineapple, orange), Pears in Zen (a sweeter pear spiced brandy with canton, ginger and sake) and my fave the What's in a Name? with serrano-infused Espalon Tequila with Ancho Reyes(a superb spicy Mexican liqueur), honey, pineapple and a Togarashi(Japanese chili) rim.
We shared lots of appetizers as this is easy and a great way to try many things such as the super crunchy Crispy Shrimp Tempura, cooked divinely with a kick-ass yuzu chili sauce.
A new dish was the Wagyu Dumplings which are not to be missed and are topped off with a Truffle Soy Dip that is another treat. Edamame are served with a nice cherrywood smoked sea salt and the Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings(don't let them slide out of your chopsticks) are steamed with a scallion relish and a yuzu-ponzu-ginger sauce. Another treat (not needing chopsticks and you can just pop them in your mouth) are the Kani Croquettes of Maryland Crab with sushi rice and Aji Aioli.
Sundays are a great deal here as all wines and sakes are 50% OFF!! So we ordered up a large bottle of SOTO JUNMAI SAKE which is a true treat--so smooth and goes with everything.
Will had a main of Tobanyake Fried Rice with 5-year kimchi, short ribs and Onsen Egg that was huge and yielded some take-home leftovers. The rest of us went for sushi as the special rolls are so tempting and indeed all were different and delicious:
Pink Lady is simple with tuna, avocado, salmon, yellowtail and soy paper while the Almost Paradise gets fancy & spicy with Spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, spicy Mango Sauce and tempura flakes all over. My Candy Cane was a beautiful vision with Shrimp Tempura, Yellowtail, Tuna, Avocado, Apple and Jalapeno with Tobiko on top. Presentation here is as good as the food and the service!!
Desserts here are the homemade soft-serve Ice Cream available in two versions and you have to choose which YOU like: Black Sesame or Truffle/Miso/Honey....they are both divine.
NAMA KO is managed by the amazing Aziz who I have known for almost 40 years and wherever he goes, he runs a great establishment indeed. If you are in the Studio Theatre, Source Theatre/U Street corridor then NAMA KO is the name to choose for your meal!!
