Kusshi to host soft opening at Pike & Rose next week

Be one of the first to experience Kusshi at Pike & Rose when they hold their soft opening next week. The Japanese restaurant will open to the public this Monday, October 22, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Soft opening hours will continue through 10:00 PM on October 25.

Kusshi is named after the "ultimate" Japanese oyster, and that namesake delicacy will be available on the menu. Sushi is also on the menu, along with other Japanese specialties, sake and cocktails. Food will be 40% off during the soft opening.

The restaurant is located at 11826 Trade Street - park in the Trade Street garage, and you can walk right out onto the plaza in front of Kusshi from the elevator.

Kusshi to open this fall at Pike & Rose

A new Japanese restaurant from the owners of Hanaro Sushi in Bethesda will open at Pike & Rose this fall. Kusshi will take over the space at 11826 Trade Street vacated last June by Carluccio's.

For diners who enjoy ordering omakase, Kusshi promises a new adventure each time, from the day's freshest ingredients. The restaurant takes its name from the Kusshi oyster, which is Japanese for "ultimate."

Kusshi will be helmed by head chef Jackie Naka Zima, who will oversee a menu of options that will include the aforementioned Kusshi oyster, sea urchin and other Japanese delicacies. The restaurant will also boast the largest sake selection in the entire D.C. area.

Co-founder Tony Chow said the team chose Pike & Rose as the location for their concept because the Federal Realty development has the same high standards of quality and service they will have in their restaurant. Taking note of the upscale shops, restaurants and luxury residential buildings of Pike & Rose, Chow said, "we wanted to be part of the neighborhood."

Renovations, new sushi bar planned for Woodmont Grill in Bethesda

One of Bethesda's top restaurants will be getting an interior makeover soon. Woodmont Grill, located at 7715 Woodmont Avenue, plans to renovate its dining room. Among the updates will be a new sushi bar area and wait station.

Maki Shop installs Coming Soon signage in Bethesda (Photos)

Well, now we know what's taking over that space next to Not Your Average Joe's at Georgetown Square in Bethesda: Maki Shop. The fast-casual sushi takeout shop is already a hit in the District. Some "Coming Soon" windows screens have just been installed. A very promising addition to the lunch hour for folks working around the Rock Spring office parks.

WANT TO BUY A SUSHI PLACE? MATUBA IS FOR SALE IN BETHESDA

There have been rumors floating around for months that Matuba, a sushi bar and Japanese restaurant at 4918 Cordell Avenue, might be for sale. I've now confirmed that the rumors are true. Owner Kunio Yasutake just celebrated his 34th year in downtown Bethesda last month, and it seems he plans to go out on top.

If you've dreamed of owning your own sushi restaurant, this is a turnkey opportunity that will include restaurant equipment, the kitchen, the sushi bars, and upstairs office space, as well as a storage area. There is private parking behind the restaurant for owners/employees.

No asking price is given.

Cordell Avenue has come a long way in just the last few years, and is arguably one of the top dining destinations in the Woodmont Triangle, with a wide variety of cuisines. Alternatively, it would be interesting to see what could be done with a modification or redevelopment of this property.

The restaurant is still operating as of last night, and there is no indication it will close prior to a sale.

CELEBRATE MATUBA OWNER'S 40 YEARS IN AMERICA, 34 YEARS IN BETHESDA WITH SPECIAL IN DECEMBER

Matuba owner Kunio Yasutake is celebrating his 40th year in America, and his restaurant's 34th year in Bethesda, with a dinner special from December 1-15.

Two can dine for $40, with your choice of two items from the following list:

• Gourmet sushi

• Gourmet sashimi

• Pan-fried salmon teriyaki with fried shrimp

• Seafood tempura

All meals will include miso soup and rice.

Matuba's history includes having the first rotary sushi buffet in the Washington Metropolitan area.

Matuba

4918 Cordell Avenue

(301) 652-7449

HINODE CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

After 22 years of serving sushi in Bethesda, Hinode closed its doors this weekend for good. The Hampden Lane restaurant is not moving elsewhere, but its other area locations - including Rockville - remain open.

HINATA TO BRIEFLY CLOSE TWICE IN BETHESDA IN APRIL AND JUNE (PHOTO)

Hinata, a popular Japanese grocery store and sushi carry-out on St. Elmo Avenue, will close briefly this weekend, and again in June. The store will close this Friday, April 25, and reopen on Tuesday, April 29. It will then close for a longer period on June 9, and reopen again on June 24.

There is no reason for concern if you are a Hinata fan; the store briefly closed last year, as well. This is not unusual for small businesses. But just a heads up, if you're tempted to make the walk over there for a sushi lunch on any of the days in question. You may want to mark these days on your calendar.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW SARKU JAPAN RESTAURANT AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Japanese restaurant Sarku Japan has been serving up sushi and other favorites for years in Westfield Montgomery Mall's food court.

But with the food court expansion underway, Sarku is one of several restaurants being relocated to accomodate the growth.

It is moving nearby, within the same food court area. The new restaurant space isn't quite ready, but why don't we take a sneak peek behind the curtain?

YUZU BETHESDA MENU (PHOTOS) - SUSHI, ROBATA - JAPANESE RESTAURANT

EXCLUSIVE!

Here is the menu for Yuzu, opening Monday, April 29, in Bethesda. Click to enlarge each page of the menu:

YUZU SUSHI AND ROBATA OPENING MONDAY IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Bethesda's newest Japanese restaurant, Yuzu, has announced its soft opening will be this coming Monday, April 29.

Chef Yoshihisa Ota has prepared a menu of sushi and robata for his new venture in the former Divino Lounge space at 7345-B Wisconsin Avenue.

YUZU SUSHI AND ROBATA BEGINS TRANSFORMATION OF FORMER DIVINO LOUNGE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Chef Yoshihisa Ota's crew is working hard to get his new sushi and robata restaurant, Yuzu, ready by its scheduled April opening.

Here's a photo gallery as renovation continues at 7345-B Wisconsin Avenue:

NEW SUSHI BUFFET IN BETHESDA - LUNCH AND DINNER

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

I like this new retro sign

Bethesda's newest sushi bar at Berry Yogurt on Norfolk Avenue has added a buffet for lunch and dinner.  Prices are $8.49 and $11.95, respectively.

MENUS FOR BETHESDA'S NEWEST SUSHI BAR - BERRY YOGURT ON NORFOLK AVENUE

Things have turned around in the 48 hours since my last update on the new sushi bar at Berry Yogurt.  In contrast to Tuesday, on Wednesday there were a good number of people dining inside and on the sidewalk patio.

I have the actual sushi menu here for you, and pricing beyond the initial 49 cents per piece rate I told you about on Wednesday.  It's a pretty short menu - California Roll, California Roll with fish roe, two kinds of Avocado Rolls, "Futo Maki" (futomaki is a thicker, larger sushi roll), and "Hoso Maki" (hosomaki=thinner roll).

Last evening, there were still more people there than usual, although you certainly can't tell that from the pictures here.  Wednesday, there were actually two sushi chefs in white outfits.  It seems that the addition of the sushi bar is actually boosting business for them, which is always good news.

I also have a picture here of the Japanese grocery store I was telling you about - Hinata on St. Elmo Avenue.  It's well worth a visit, even if you're not actually dining there.  All kinds of imported Japanese products - you never know what you might find.

Berry Yogurt,  7920 Norfolk Avenue.  301-654-5316.

HANARO SUSHI'S ROLL OF THE MONTH: DANCING CRAB ROLL - BETHESDA SUSHI BAR

Hanaro Sushi's Dancing Crab Roll - which has nothing to do with the Tenleytown restaurant, and everything to do with fresh seafood and a fabulous diversity of flavors - is their August Roll-of-the-Month:

Which is the top

 restaurant for

 sushi in 

Bethesda, 

in your opinion?

PASSION FIN MENU - BETHESDA'S NEWEST SUSHI RESTAURANT!

PASSION FIN IS OPEN!

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Passion Fin Asian Bistro and Sushi Bar is finally celebrating its Grand Opening!  Located in the Shops at Sumner Place on Sangamore Road, Passion Fin is - along with Boloco - the most anticipated Bethesda restaurant of 2012.  I have received so many inquiries about when Passion Fin would be opening, and I'm pleased to report the day is finally here.

The restaurant offers a solid Japanese/sushi menu, but true to its "Asian Bistro" subtitle, adds a decidedly Thai twist, and inspiration by way of India.

There are also the Chef's Signature selections, which provide adventurous entrees for those diners not adventurous enough for sushi.

I've always predicted Passion Fin would become a lunch destination for employees of the intelligence campus across the street, and nearby Sibley Hospital.  The restaurant has acknowledged that potential with a large selection of lunch specials.

Passion Fin's fabulous location provides both plenty of free surface parking (and also Ride On Bus access), and some stiff competition from French secret gem Praline, and popular China Pavilion.  Both competitors are steps away in the same shopping center.

Dishes that stand out on the menu include Roti Canai (Indian pancake), Lump Crab Asparagus Soup, Yum Chicken Salad, Lobster and Filet Mignon hibachi dinner (pricey at $26.95), Passion Chicken, and Fire Work Ice Cream.

And, of course, there's the sushi!

Some of the more unique rolls include the Funky Monkey Roll with Shrimp Tempura, spicy lobster salad, cucumber, mango and tempura banana(!!) wrapped with soybean paper and a blast of the chef's special sauce; and the Godzilla Roll, which is just a great name.

Here are exclusive photos of the much sought after menu!  Click to enlarge.

Appetizers

Soups and salads

Sushi bar appetizers

Sushi entrees

Seaweed maki/temaki

Rice maki/temaki

Special rolls!

More special rolls!

From the grill...

Rice and noodle dishes

The chef's signature creations

Desserts

Lunch specials

Lunch sushi platters and hibachi specials

Passion Fin offers take-out dining.  You can phone in your order at 301-229-2848.

So try out Bethesda's newest sushi restaurant, and its Thai-Indian-fusion variety in the Shops at Sumner Place, a great spot to escape the parking nightmare of downtown Bethesda for a change.

Passion Fin, 4611 Sangamore Road, Bethesda.  301-229-2848.

Hours: Lunch Mon.-Fri. 11:30 AM-2:45 PM

             Dinner Mon.-Thurs. 4:30-10:00 PM

             Fri. 4:30-11:00 PM, Sat. 12-11, Sun. 12-9:30 PM