Japanese Steakhouse~ OTANI

Otani

http://www.myotani.com/home.htm

 

44630 Waxpool Rd
Ashburn , VA 20147
703-729-8897

Ashburn location CLOSED 

Dinner & a show don’t necessarily mean Broadway & Times Square- Japanese Steakhouses are famous for fun food experiences. Besides S.A.M.-  the steakhouse needs to provide solid entertainment to make you feel like you get your money’s worth, & Otani delivered in every way.

It was just me, The Boy, and The Man. The Boy wanted hibachi, and The Man and I wanted sushi. At Otani, you can order sushi at the hibachi table, so we were all happy. We joined another couple at a clean, spacious hibachi table, placed our order, and took in our surroundings. Tasteful, vibrant murals adorn the walls, and the cultural décor consists of subtle floral accents and classic Japanese art and furnishings. The bar area is very upscale with a wide variety of special cocktails, imported beers and a diverse wine menu. They did a beautiful job decorating this corner location in the Waxpool Road Center to create a lively and welcoming Atmosphere.

 

Our Service was efficient, friendly and truly delightful. Even when English was an occasional barrier, it added to the cultural authenticity of the experience! There were plenty of bi-lingual team members and managers to ensure that our questions were answered and our meals were delivered without a single flaw. The other half of Otani’s Service is the Hibachi Chef’s performance. He was so much fun- great sense of humor, wonderful showmanship, and quite skilled with the tools of his trade. He seasoned the meat and vegetables to perfection- one complaint I typically have of Japanese Steakhouses is the lack of flavor in the food. While it’s very important to me to taste the actual food- it’s equally important for the seasonings complement the natural meat and veggie flavors. Our Hibachi Chef did a beautiful job for us, made us laugh, & served up large, tasty portions at just the right pace. OOI- OOI! (that was his signature sound… we still do it at home!)

 

The Man and I both ordered sushi- which was tightly rolled, perfectly balanced and wonderfully presented. The wasabi was a little mild for our taste, so we’ll have to let them know they can kick it up a notch for us- we can take it!  I don’t remember exactly which rolls we ordered, but we chose three: one with tuna, one with salmon, and one with shrimp. Accents like cream cheese, roe, asparagus, scallions and avocado are our favorites, so whichever rolls on the menu include any of these ingredients were what we ordered. The flavor was excellent- fresh and robust. As you know from my other sushi reviews, I’m pretty limited in what I like. But I’ve had enough mediocre sushi to recognize sub-standard ingredients or poorly made rolls, and enough great sushi to appreciate a high quality roll, like the ones we enjoyed at Otani.

 

The Boy’s kid portion of Chicken, Fried Rice and Vegetables was more than enough to feed an adult- a whole butterflied chicken breast, a mix of fresh zucchini, carrots, and onions, and a side of fried rice complete with plenty of egg and diced veggies. The couple at our table ordered steak and shrimp; she was served no less than 12 large, butterflied shrimp, and his steak portion was actually 2 steaks! You definitely leave full and satisfied after your entrée.  Your meal concludes with a delightful sorbet- a fruity, refreshing, palate cleansing treat.

 

A very nice outing for large groups, families, or even an intimate night out for two at the sushi bar or tables set apart from the hibachi area. This family owned and operated business has 2 other locations in Fairfax and Chantilly, and we are so pleased that they added Ashburn to their family, because~

 

Otani Passes with Flying Colors!                

 

 

 

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Sushi- Samurai Japanese Restaurant

Samurai Sushi

http://samuraisushiashburn.com/ 

43150 Broadlands Center Plz.  #163  

Ashburn, VA  •  703-724-9696  

Let’s clarify one thing right away: I am not a connoisseur of all types of sushi and by NO MEANS an expert. I’ve tried all, and don’t like most- types of sushi. Nigiri: filleted raw or cooked fish atop rice- naaah- too much fish for me. Sashimi: raw fish typically served with a side of daikon, again- more fish than I enjoy. Maki is the type of sushi I truly enjoy- tightly wrapped rolls in seaweed with a smaller portion of fish and a combination of ingredients that complement each other. So if you are serious about Nigiri or Sashimi, skip this review… unless- you know a Maki-sushi lover or want to introduce sushi to a newbie- then, read on- Samurai Sushi will easily satisfy all levels of sushi enthusiasts.   

For my husband and me, a sushi meal has 4 primary facets aside from S.A.M.: the presentation, the balance, the ingredients’ freshness, and the quality of the wasabi. When you enter Samurai Sushi, you instantly know that the A. in S.A.M.- Atmosphere- is guaranteed to be delightful- the lights are pleasantly dim, the very Japanese décor transports you from a strip mall in the Broadlands to a chic, metropolitan sushi bar. The only thing that may seem slightly out of place is the high-def flat screen television next to the bar, but the volume is low and I’m sure lone diners appreciate the distraction. At the bar, the friendly chefs take a moment to greet you with “con-ni-chi-wa!” (hello in Japanese) while they create edible works of art: tightly wrapped sushi rolls made with fine ingredients in a pristine, spotless atmosphere. Your demure, polite waitress waits patiently until she sees that you are ready to order, and will efficiently appear to take care of you.   

The miso soup is quite possibly the best I’ve ever had in Virginia. It’s a hearty broth- normally it’s a thin broth- emboldened with fresh green onion slivers, herbs, and small tofu chunks – steaming hot and full of flavor. Order the manage-ably sized salad to try the zesty ginger dressing over fresh lettuce and shredded carrots- the dressing is not only rich yet light, robust yet nor overpowering- but it is also an excellent digestive aid to help you handle the wasabi to come….!  

The true treat arrives when you receive your sushi rolls- beautifully presented on platters, sometimes with a drizzle of special sauce- always with the gorgeous fresh ginger rosette and a generous dollop of spicy, freshly made wasabi. Why is Samurai Sushi better than several other sushi bars in Ashburn? Balance. The difference from the other 4 sushi bars I’ve tried in this area is that Samurai doesn’t “cheat” you by filling your roll with rice or other cheaper ingredients instead of a generous portion of fish in each bite. Your palate experiences a balance of fish, seaweed, rice, and whatever else you’ve chosen (roe, avocado, cucumber, etc.!) and with a slice of ginger and dollop of that amazing wasabi- oh delish.    

Not in the mood for sushi? Their Japanese Ramen is a generous bowl of noodle soup with plenty of beef and vegetables to warm you up on a chilly day.  They have tempura, chicken dishes, a scallion pancake that overflows with flavor, and several other non-sushi dishes that will satisfy the not-quite-ready-for-sushi friends that tag along with you to Samurai. If you live in Ashburn, you don’t have to go far for superior sushi in an inviting, authentic atmosphere.

 

Oh- I almost forgot the sake! Hot or cold- they have a high quality sake menu with a range of prices for all comfort levels. From light and fragrant to deep and complex- there’s a sake for everyone on Samurai’s menu.  I still have several other sushi bars to try in this area- but it is always hard resist heading back to Samurai to my favorite Philly Roll, California Roll or Jazz Roll. I vow to try them all, and while several other may make the grade, none of them will change the fact that~  

Samurai Sushi Passes with Flying Colors!