Came for a birthday dinner and unfortunately left not full (the courses are tiny for the most part). We even tried it with the add-on of uni and caviar. First off, no use being early; they don't let you in until the precise time of your reservation. When we were finally settled and everyone in the restaurant had their drinks, the courses finally started delivering. Some of the dishes were good while others were frankly confusing. For example, the tempura came out not hot and soggy, like it had been sitting there for a while. The chawanmushi was my favorite. The servers were all very friendly but I hate leaving restaurants hungry so probably not a return.
When I think omakase, I think sushi. Kappo was wagyu omakase, so I didn’t know what to expect exactly. The wagyu was beyond delicious like melt in your mouth delicious. I added the sake pairing and it did not disappoint! The space was intimate with about ten bar seats and three tables of 4. Chef Ogawa was there showing us the cut of wagyu. The course took around 2.5 hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef
Kei “TAO” TAO
Former Makoto is beautifully transformed into a stylish Japanese Omakase-course menu restaurant by Chef Ogawa. The main dish Miyazaki A5 Wagyu is so tender that melt in my mouth. I got lucky that the rice dish was with Matsutake—highly prized mushroom from Japan only in the fall. (They change ingredients slightly based on the availability.) It’s $150 before tax and tip. It’s worth the experience.
What you’re going to get is a very expensive snack. The food was good but the quantities were minuscule. We had to go get something to eat afterwards. Don’t think we would ever go back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Guillermo Guzman
I've always wanted to check this place out and I recently had an opportunity to take my girlfriend. The atmosphere was pleasant, the wait time in between the multiple plates was reasonable, the service was timely, and most importantly, the food was very delicious. For the full experience we did the sake and caviar pairing. We were given one cup of sake for every 2 entrees and one for dessert. The caviar and sake paired extremely well in my opion. That said, was it worth nearly $800 price point for two people? Again, in my opinion, unfortunately not. I won't pretend to know the value of the food/drink we were given. For all I know we could've gotten our money's worth simply through the raw ingredients. You'll have to get that info from a food/sake/caviar connoisseur. My only comparison is other fine dining restaurant experiences, as I am a common man ? It would have been nice if, in between the wait between meals, we could have had a more in depth explanation of the ingredients for a greater appreciation of each plate. I would hate to be the guy asking a ton of questions. That said, overall both of us were happy by the end of the meal, which is why I rate this place 4 out of 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anastasia Beard
Would sell me kidneys to eat here every day. But seriously, it was the best meal I’ve ever had. Every course was incredible, well thought out, and beautiful. The service is impeccable, the staff are so nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Every bite is heaven. It can get rather noisy due to it being such a small place and it is expensive, but if you have the means to come here, maybe for a special occasion, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Kappo DC is set up to provide a unique dining experience. Located in the basement of a rowhouse in the Palisades, the small dining room sits only 21 people with a few seats at the bar watching the open kitchen.
Previewing their Fall 2024 menu, here's my experience.
1) Food: It's a tasting menu and $150 gets you eight courses. However, one course is a trio so it felt like an 11-course meal. Not a bad price in an expensive city like D.C. The menu is wagyu-centric and expect lots of raw or lightly cooked meats. As a former vegetarian, it was a lot of meat, but each dish is creative and a blast to watch being prepared in front of your eyes.
On their Fall 2024 menu, the standout dishes were the Menchi Katsu, Sashimi Tripo, Wagyu Takikomi Gohan, and the dessert (shaved ice).
2) Drink: They have a full cocktail, sake, wine, and more menu. Enjoying more sweet cocktails, I enjoyed their version of a margarita and their version of a sour.
3) Service: Once you sit down, you're offered sparkling, still, or tap water as well as a warm towel to wash your hands. A dedicated staff, every dish is explained and they are happy to answer any question.
4) Space: It's small and intimate, making it a great spot for date night. If you can, get a seat watching the open kitchen.
5) Area: Located in the Palisades, there are a handful of hyper local restaurants and shops along MacArthur Boulevard. Street parking is easier to find, especially on a Sunday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
JI Beverley
Astounding experience! Food was fabulous and the drinks was a creatively amazing. There was a lot of thought put into each dish and the presentation was simplicity at its best.
My husband and I were celebrating us and we upgraded to the caviar and umi which I highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria Lee
As a big fan of sushi nakazawa dc, I was more than disappointed in food. Each course had a similar taste palette - all umami based and greasy..
Their cocktails were AMAZING though.
The dessert could’ve been fruity/refreshing to shake off the greasy/heaviness, but it was creme brulee?! I felt grossed out by the end of dinner.
Overall, food was NOT worth the price. EVEN if it was under $15, I would not come back. LOL However, it is a very cute restaurant with amazing staffs. Good pacing. Expect 2hr total.
My bill was almost $800 for a dinner party of two and the food tasted mid at best. For the price you would think every bite would be mind blowing but it really wasn’t. I’ve had Wagyu before at many other places in DC and Virginia that tasted so much better than this restaurant. Before coming please keep this in mind before taking your partner here for a date.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Marko J
Attention to detail is what sets Kappo apart. Not only are the A5 Miyazaki beef and fish imported from Japan, but so are the charcoal and the ice used for the shaved ice dessert.
Watching Chef Ogawa prep the ingredients, use a shark skin grater to make wasabi, carefully trim the fat from the meat, and meticulously prepare each dish is an appetite-opener in itself.
The indulgence of the taste buds lasts for almost two hours. It's truly hard to describe how incredible the dishes were. The sensation of wagyu melting in my mouth will forever be a core memory.
A big thanks to the hosts, servers, and the chef for this unforgettable experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
George Junca
Excellent experience with great wagyu, cocktails, service, top
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ani YT
Just went to Kappo, Let me say this is the best place I’ve been to so far with an Omakase experience. Every dish had the best pairing of vegetables. Everything on the dish was fresh and delighful. Thank you Kappo for such an amazing Dinner!! 10/10 will come back again and recommend!!
The food was okay, and the service was good. However, the plating and decoration were subpar. The establishment should elevate their skill and professionalism in plating and decorating to enhance the overall dining experience.
Came for a birthday dinner and unfortunately left not full (the courses are tiny for the most part). We even tried it with the add-on of uni and caviar. First off, no use being early; they don't let you in until the precise time of your reservation.
When we were finally settled and everyone in the restaurant had their drinks, the courses finally started delivering. Some of the dishes were good while others were frankly confusing. For example, the tempura came out not hot and soggy, like it had been sitting there for a while. The chawanmushi was my favorite. The servers were all very friendly but I hate leaving restaurants hungry so probably not a return.
Parking: Free 2 hour parking
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi Steamed Egg Custard
When I think omakase, I think sushi. Kappo was wagyu omakase, so I didn’t know what to expect exactly. The wagyu was beyond delicious like melt in your mouth delicious. I added the sake pairing and it did not disappoint! The space was intimate with about ten bar seats and three tables of 4. Chef Ogawa was there showing us the cut of wagyu. The course took around 2.5 hours.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Wagyu Beef
Former Makoto is beautifully transformed into a stylish Japanese Omakase-course menu restaurant by Chef Ogawa. The main dish Miyazaki A5 Wagyu is so tender that melt in my mouth. I got lucky that the rice dish was with Matsutake—highly prized mushroom from Japan only in the fall. (They change ingredients slightly based on the availability.) It’s $150 before tax and tip. It’s worth the experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi Steamed Egg Custard, Wagyu Beef, Tempura
What you’re going to get is a very expensive snack. The food was good but the quantities were minuscule. We had to go get something to eat afterwards. Don’t think we would ever go back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
I've always wanted to check this place out and I recently had an opportunity to take my girlfriend. The atmosphere was pleasant, the wait time in between the multiple plates was reasonable, the service was timely, and most importantly, the food was very delicious. For the full experience we did the sake and caviar pairing. We were given one cup of sake for every 2 entrees and one for dessert. The caviar and sake paired extremely well in my opion. That said, was it worth nearly $800 price point for two people? Again, in my opinion, unfortunately not. I won't pretend to know the value of the food/drink we were given. For all I know we could've gotten our money's worth simply through the raw ingredients. You'll have to get that info from a food/sake/caviar connoisseur. My only comparison is other fine dining restaurant experiences, as I am a common man ? It would have been nice if, in between the wait between meals, we could have had a more in depth explanation of the ingredients for a greater appreciation of each plate. I would hate to be the guy asking a ton of questions. That said, overall both of us were happy by the end of the meal, which is why I rate this place 4 out of 5 stars.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Would sell me kidneys to eat here every day. But seriously, it was the best meal I’ve ever had. Every course was incredible, well thought out, and beautiful. The service is impeccable, the staff are so nice and knowledgeable about the menu. Every bite is heaven. It can get rather noisy due to it being such a small place and it is expensive, but if you have the means to come here, maybe for a special occasion, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi Steamed Egg Custard, Wagyu Beef, Wagyu Salad
A worthy successor to Makoto.
Kappo DC is set up to provide a unique dining experience. Located in the basement of a rowhouse in the Palisades, the small dining room sits only 21 people with a few seats at the bar watching the open kitchen.
Previewing their Fall 2024 menu, here's my experience.
1) Food: It's a tasting menu and $150 gets you eight courses. However, one course is a trio so it felt like an 11-course meal. Not a bad price in an expensive city like D.C. The menu is wagyu-centric and expect lots of raw or lightly cooked meats. As a former vegetarian, it was a lot of meat, but each dish is creative and a blast to watch being prepared in front of your eyes.
On their Fall 2024 menu, the standout dishes were the Menchi Katsu, Sashimi Tripo, Wagyu Takikomi Gohan, and the dessert (shaved ice).
2) Drink: They have a full cocktail, sake, wine, and more menu. Enjoying more sweet cocktails, I enjoyed their version of a margarita and their version of a sour.
3) Service: Once you sit down, you're offered sparkling, still, or tap water as well as a warm towel to wash your hands. A dedicated staff, every dish is explained and they are happy to answer any question.
4) Space: It's small and intimate, making it a great spot for date night. If you can, get a seat watching the open kitchen.
5) Area: Located in the Palisades, there are a handful of hyper local restaurants and shops along MacArthur Boulevard. Street parking is easier to find, especially on a Sunday.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Astounding experience! Food was fabulous and the drinks was a creatively amazing. There was a lot of thought put into each dish and the presentation was simplicity at its best.
My husband and I were celebrating us and we upgraded to the caviar and umi which I highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As a big fan of sushi nakazawa dc, I was more than disappointed in food. Each course had a similar taste palette - all umami based and greasy..
Their cocktails were AMAZING though.
The dessert could’ve been fruity/refreshing to shake off the greasy/heaviness, but it was creme brulee?! I felt grossed out by the end of dinner.
Overall, food was NOT worth the price. EVEN if it was under $15, I would not come back. LOL However, it is a very cute restaurant with amazing staffs. Good pacing. Expect 2hr total.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My bill was almost $800 for a dinner party of two and the food tasted mid at best. For the price you would think every bite would be mind blowing but it really wasn’t. I’ve had Wagyu before at many other places in DC and Virginia that tasted so much better than this restaurant. Before coming please keep this in mind before taking your partner here for a date.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 4
Attention to detail is what sets Kappo apart. Not only are the A5 Miyazaki beef and fish imported from Japan, but so are the charcoal and the ice used for the shaved ice dessert.
Watching Chef Ogawa prep the ingredients, use a shark skin grater to make wasabi, carefully trim the fat from the meat, and meticulously prepare each dish is an appetite-opener in itself.
The indulgence of the taste buds lasts for almost two hours. It's truly hard to describe how incredible the dishes were. The sensation of wagyu melting in my mouth will forever be a core memory.
A big thanks to the hosts, servers, and the chef for this unforgettable experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent experience with great wagyu, cocktails, service, top
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just went to Kappo, Let me say this is the best place I’ve been to so far with an Omakase experience. Every dish had the best pairing of vegetables. Everything on the dish was fresh and delighful. Thank you Kappo for such an amazing Dinner!! 10/10 will come back again and recommend!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi Steamed Egg Custard, Wagyu Beef
The food was okay, and the service was good. However, the plating and decoration were subpar. The establishment should elevate their skill and professionalism in plating and decorating to enhance the overall dining experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Chawanmushi Steamed Egg Custard
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