Sushi Taro

So Manic McGee and I had another delicious experience this weekend at Sushi Taro (http://www.sushitaro.com/) located on 1503 17th Street, NW.
I have received numerous recommendations for this place, and now I know why. The door is almost hidden next to a large CVS and blockbuster, and really doesn't look like much from the outside. But upon entering you are greeted with beautiful Asian girls (mostly Japanese) and some attractive smiling older employees too. They greet you in Japanese and lead you through the very modern, but classically Japanese styled restaurant. There are two private dinner rooms off to the side, that are partitioned off with a screen and a large party table where you sit on pillows on the floor. There is a long and winding sushi bar behind which multiple sushi chefs are laughing and preparing the food.
We had a reservation (which I recommend, it was very crowded for 7pm on a Monday) so they led us to a nice table with a window view looking over 17th st. We were seated with menus, a sushi ala cart menu, a sake menu, and two warm towels to wash our hands. What I liked was that the entire menu was in Japanese and English, so YAY! I could read it, but it looked authentic. No pictures to help your selection, so if you don't know sushi just point and be adventurous. I have eaten at many sushi restaurants and usually order a roll or two that I know and a side dish of dumpling or tofu, but Manic McGee and I decided to be (somewhat) adventurous. I ordered the Sushi Assortment 1, which came with 7 unnamed Nigiri and 1 tuna roll, and Corey ordered the Sushi and sashimi Dinner box.
Everything was excellent. The Nigiri and sashimi were fresh and at the right temperature, the rolls were rolled tight with a great seaweed wrap. The gyoza was heavenly and the tempora was light and crunchy.
Oh, and there is a complementary miso soup that Maniac loved.
We tried to end the night with one of their specialty cocktails, and were very disappointed. I don't remember what I had (something with green tea) that tasted like watered down bad scotch, and Maniac McGee ordered the Samurai rock, which was ok but just tasted like a lime spritzer. The only alcohol we ordered was the cocktails and the total price equaled around 60$ plus tip. Not a bad price considering we had such a good experience and left feeling full.

Total score? 5 out of 5 nices
Would we go there again? Definitely

Highly recommended.