Loved this place for lunch. I ordered the one eel roll on the menu and although I was hesitant about the apple topping it really added a great dimension of flavor! I also ordered the sea bass slider, with havarti cheese, and wow it was cooked perfectly in a panko crust and stacked in this slider with the cheese and I'm still clearly dreaming about it. I also ordered the crispy agedashi tofu, I think it tasted fine, I also wish they didn't call it agedashi, it was crispy tofu with dashi mixed into the crust... and then there were unnecessary greens on top... it's just not what I'd expect from agedashi tofu, but still fine, I ate half of it. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and will be returning :)
Samantha Lempke
A very interesting asian/fusion/american/clean vibe in the restaurant itself. The food was absolutely great! The box option give a great amount of food that is diverse. The wait staff was very attentive and my water glass was never empty.
Ali R.
It was recommended that the fish and chips are very good and also the caramelized Chilean sea bass. so I'm going to start with those. The fish n chips is not what one would think. The inside the roll is filled with crunchy chips and rice is filled with little pieces of Flounder with red onion and chips more chips not enough fish, not one of my favorites. I wanted sushi...not lots of onions and such small pieces of flounder with tons of some crunch inside and out. I must say the sushi chef's presentation was amazing. Since I couldn't make it past one of the slices, the waitress was kind enough to take it back and I ordered something with more fish, like a rainbow roll. So now I can see the quality of all of the fishes. However, the Chilean sea bass is delicious! Yummy highly recommended. I'm not sure how they did the top of the sea bass but the subtle crunchy is absolutely amazing!! Now maybe im being super picky, because I'm used to paying for quality sushi, but yellowtail should not have the red part still attached. End roll piece. Least the rice and avocado are fresh. The rest of roll was amazing so in all, I am happy. They add fresh crab inside so its not mock crab. Thanks for that! Much better choice. I'd like to recommend that you add real wasabi and you would take these rules that you make to a whole new level
Ronnie James
No alcohol was being served tonight (not that it influenced my decision to eat here). Service was beyond excellent and atmosphere was great. Food was beyond unsatisfactory. I ordered the Sea Bass. The fish was cooked perfectly. However, the taste and texture of the fish was masked by an overwhelming amount of olive oil. There was so much oil that it coated your palate. The sushi was not good. The texture was very chewy and it was evident that it was not fresh. Very high hopes, yet very low results.
Donald Hawkins
Great happy hour specials. Sat at the bar and was happy and full when I left. The happy hour is the same as what you would get off the regular menu, so, very happy. I tried 50% of the happy hour specials and looking forward to completing the rest soon.
Thankmar Wagner
I went for lunch to this place. A very good experience: lunch menu with choice of sophisticated bento boxes and more. Swift service, fairly priced.
Brandy Dailey
Strange interpretation of "classic" sushi, the California roll had brown rice and a weird texture. The atmosphere trying to be very elegant, but feels disconnected. Seemed like more of a bar than restaurant with more alcohol options than food.
Molly webster
I loved this place!!! One of the best restaurants I have ever been to!! Best staff, best atmosphere. Definitely coming back!
Carmen Mantay
We came in at 5:30 pm for a late lunch after a tour of the Capitol. They gave us very nice service, attentive and polite. We enjoyed the atmosphere - Nicely decorated. The food was excellent. I will definitely recommend it to friends and make sure to visit again. Arigato! 🌟
Sophie L.
A casual dining place with an upscale, fancy feel. I came for their brunch menu and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. For a Sunday at 12pm, the place was strangely very empty, maybe they are not well known for their brunch options? The portion sizes here are pretty decent. I ordered a new item on their brunch menu- the Sake 'Salmon' Ochazuke. I don't know why 'Salmon' is in quotes, but it did come with a big piece of cooked salmon. The waiter did not know how to explain the new menu item, and told me to look at it on Instagram. This lack of knowledge concerned me, but I decided to try it out and am SO GLAD I did. This dish is a mound of rice with pickled radish, cucumbers, seaweed, with a big piece of cooked salmon and salmon roe on top. A waiter came by with a pot of tea broth and poured it over the rice to make a soup/porridge. The broth was warm (not too hot) with a hint of tea. A spoonful of crisp pickled vegetables, rice, broth, and juicy fish roe created an amazing flavor profile. The salmon was slightly crispy, no char, and added substance to the dish. I'm very sensitive to salt, so I thought the dish was perfect. I liked how none of the ingredients individually were too strong, but they all came together to create well-balanced texture and flavor. They also refilled my broth many times when I asked! The dish was enough to fill me up, and for only $13! This rice bowl tasted exactly like when I was little and when my parents would always mix my soup broth with my rice to get me to eat. I was excited to see a restaurant putting a unique twist on a simple food. I did try a few sips of their Asian Pear Sangria, and it was really good! I thought it had a slight sour taste with a sweet asian pear finish. I'll definitely be returning to check out their other menu items. I hope their regular menu is as good as the brunch!
Very good from start with a miso soooo made with real miso paste. The sushi were very good and fresh but the cost is excessive. Not very quiet. I like my sushi in a quiet environment.
Priscilla T.
4.5 stars! Came here for their happy hour on a Monday night. Not too busy. For some reason, this place looks super fancy and up-scale. Very clean and white. But you can definitely just come in casually. Our server was nice and somewhat attentive. LOVE their Asian pear Sangria!!! Taste so good and quite strong lol. Also tried their sashimi, spicy shrimp roll, and the nachos. All of these were delicious and a great deal during happy hour. Not sure what sashimi meat it was, but it was fresh and very soft. Came with some ponzu (?) sauce, onions, and jalapenos. Nachos came with wasabi guac and other toppings. Quite filling. Will definitely be back if I'm looking for a good happy hour around the area!
Samantha H.
I only came for one happy hour and tried a couple food items and one drink, but I specifically need to talk about the incredible Asian pear sangria that has shifted my worldview. Like, I cannot stop thinking about this delicious concoction and how I would be happy if this was the only alcoholic beverage I ever drink? It was yummy and strong and extremely worth the entire experience at Sei. I may never stop thinking about it. Also their happy hour menu includes a corndog, which is small but tasty. It comes with an ingenious ketchup and hot sauce mix which tasted surprisingly bright and new. I want more sangria!!!
Lauren H.
I went here for dinner last Sunday with a few friends. Admittedly, Japanese restaurants are rarely my first choice when eating out, but we had all heard such good things about this place that we decided to go for it. The menu at SEI offers variety to the point of being overwhelming. Luckily, our server was quick to point out her recommendations in each section of the menu. We decided to divide and conquer, and ordered a roll each, plus some small plates to share. We started with the wasabi guacamole, and all agreed that while we didn't go to a Japanese restaurant expecting to order guac, the flavor combo was surprisingly good. There weren't too many veggie sushi options, but I did my best with what I was given and tried the sundried tomato roll, which had black rice, avocado, and truffle garlic ponzu. After, I tried the kimchi fried rice, which was absolutely delicious -- packed with flavor and ribbons of kale. Even though the white-on-white decor definitely gives off upscale vibes, most of the crowd on Sunday night was was on their way to the Caps game at the nearby arena, so it felt extra-casual. Our server was incredibly attentive and friendly, but she was self-aware to a point that was almost off-putting. All in all, not a bad dinner. I would probably come back here for a happy hour -- they offer cheap drinks and half-priced small plates and rolls, but only in the bar/lounge area.
Farah D.
One of my favorite restaurants in DC is @seirestaurant. The white decor, the drinks and the bomb food keeps me coming back. The restaurant fices off a super.sexy vibe. This do round I finally tried the fish and chips sushi roll. Let's talk about unexpected love in a roll!!! There was layer upon layers of flavor. I also tried the blackened tuna tacos, the kimchi friend rice, edamame and the spicy salmon cilantro roll. I'm all for traditional sushi but I love the creativity that they provide with their dishes. They also have an extensive sake menu and the bartenders know how to make a drink! Be sure to check them out. Be sure to follow on IG @savorysitesandbites
Loved this place for lunch. I ordered the one eel roll on the menu and although I was hesitant about the apple topping it really added a great dimension of flavor! I also ordered the sea bass slider, with havarti cheese, and wow it was cooked perfectly in a panko crust and stacked in this slider with the cheese and I'm still clearly dreaming about it. I also ordered the crispy agedashi tofu, I think it tasted fine, I also wish they didn't call it agedashi, it was crispy tofu with dashi mixed into the crust... and then there were unnecessary greens on top... it's just not what I'd expect from agedashi tofu, but still fine, I ate half of it. Overall, I enjoyed my meal and will be returning :)
A very interesting asian/fusion/american/clean vibe in the restaurant itself. The food was absolutely great! The box option give a great amount of food that is diverse. The wait staff was very attentive and my water glass was never empty.
It was recommended that the fish and chips are very good and also the caramelized Chilean sea bass. so I'm going to start with those. The fish n chips is not what one would think. The inside the roll is filled with crunchy chips and rice is filled with little pieces of Flounder with red onion and chips more chips not enough fish, not one of my favorites. I wanted sushi...not lots of onions and such small pieces of flounder with tons of some crunch inside and out. I must say the sushi chef's presentation was amazing. Since I couldn't make it past one of the slices, the waitress was kind enough to take it back and I ordered something with more fish, like a rainbow roll. So now I can see the quality of all of the fishes. However, the Chilean sea bass is delicious! Yummy highly recommended. I'm not sure how they did the top of the sea bass but the subtle crunchy is absolutely amazing!! Now maybe im being super picky, because I'm used to paying for quality sushi, but yellowtail should not have the red part still attached. End roll piece. Least the rice and avocado are fresh. The rest of roll was amazing so in all, I am happy. They add fresh crab inside so its not mock crab. Thanks for that! Much better choice. I'd like to recommend that you add real wasabi and you would take these rules that you make to a whole new level
No alcohol was being served tonight (not that it influenced my decision to eat here). Service was beyond excellent and atmosphere was great. Food was beyond unsatisfactory. I ordered the Sea Bass. The fish was cooked perfectly. However, the taste and texture of the fish was masked by an overwhelming amount of olive oil. There was so much oil that it coated your palate. The sushi was not good. The texture was very chewy and it was evident that it was not fresh. Very high hopes, yet very low results.
Great happy hour specials. Sat at the bar and was happy and full when I left. The happy hour is the same as what you would get off the regular menu, so, very happy. I tried 50% of the happy hour specials and looking forward to completing the rest soon.
I went for lunch to this place. A very good experience: lunch menu with choice of sophisticated bento boxes and more. Swift service, fairly priced.
Strange interpretation of "classic" sushi, the California roll had brown rice and a weird texture. The atmosphere trying to be very elegant, but feels disconnected. Seemed like more of a bar than restaurant with more alcohol options than food.
I loved this place!!! One of the best restaurants I have ever been to!! Best staff, best atmosphere. Definitely coming back!
We came in at 5:30 pm for a late lunch after a tour of the Capitol. They gave us very nice service, attentive and polite. We enjoyed the atmosphere - Nicely decorated. The food was excellent. I will definitely recommend it to friends and make sure to visit again. Arigato! 🌟
A casual dining place with an upscale, fancy feel. I came for their brunch menu and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. For a Sunday at 12pm, the place was strangely very empty, maybe they are not well known for their brunch options? The portion sizes here are pretty decent. I ordered a new item on their brunch menu- the Sake 'Salmon' Ochazuke. I don't know why 'Salmon' is in quotes, but it did come with a big piece of cooked salmon. The waiter did not know how to explain the new menu item, and told me to look at it on Instagram. This lack of knowledge concerned me, but I decided to try it out and am SO GLAD I did. This dish is a mound of rice with pickled radish, cucumbers, seaweed, with a big piece of cooked salmon and salmon roe on top. A waiter came by with a pot of tea broth and poured it over the rice to make a soup/porridge. The broth was warm (not too hot) with a hint of tea. A spoonful of crisp pickled vegetables, rice, broth, and juicy fish roe created an amazing flavor profile. The salmon was slightly crispy, no char, and added substance to the dish. I'm very sensitive to salt, so I thought the dish was perfect. I liked how none of the ingredients individually were too strong, but they all came together to create well-balanced texture and flavor. They also refilled my broth many times when I asked! The dish was enough to fill me up, and for only $13! This rice bowl tasted exactly like when I was little and when my parents would always mix my soup broth with my rice to get me to eat. I was excited to see a restaurant putting a unique twist on a simple food. I did try a few sips of their Asian Pear Sangria, and it was really good! I thought it had a slight sour taste with a sweet asian pear finish. I'll definitely be returning to check out their other menu items. I hope their regular menu is as good as the brunch!
Restaurantji Recommends
Very good from start with a miso soooo made with real miso paste. The sushi were very good and fresh but the cost is excessive. Not very quiet. I like my sushi in a quiet environment.
4.5 stars! Came here for their happy hour on a Monday night. Not too busy. For some reason, this place looks super fancy and up-scale. Very clean and white. But you can definitely just come in casually. Our server was nice and somewhat attentive. LOVE their Asian pear Sangria!!! Taste so good and quite strong lol. Also tried their sashimi, spicy shrimp roll, and the nachos. All of these were delicious and a great deal during happy hour. Not sure what sashimi meat it was, but it was fresh and very soft. Came with some ponzu (?) sauce, onions, and jalapenos. Nachos came with wasabi guac and other toppings. Quite filling. Will definitely be back if I'm looking for a good happy hour around the area!
I only came for one happy hour and tried a couple food items and one drink, but I specifically need to talk about the incredible Asian pear sangria that has shifted my worldview. Like, I cannot stop thinking about this delicious concoction and how I would be happy if this was the only alcoholic beverage I ever drink? It was yummy and strong and extremely worth the entire experience at Sei. I may never stop thinking about it. Also their happy hour menu includes a corndog, which is small but tasty. It comes with an ingenious ketchup and hot sauce mix which tasted surprisingly bright and new. I want more sangria!!!
I went here for dinner last Sunday with a few friends. Admittedly, Japanese restaurants are rarely my first choice when eating out, but we had all heard such good things about this place that we decided to go for it. The menu at SEI offers variety to the point of being overwhelming. Luckily, our server was quick to point out her recommendations in each section of the menu. We decided to divide and conquer, and ordered a roll each, plus some small plates to share. We started with the wasabi guacamole, and all agreed that while we didn't go to a Japanese restaurant expecting to order guac, the flavor combo was surprisingly good. There weren't too many veggie sushi options, but I did my best with what I was given and tried the sundried tomato roll, which had black rice, avocado, and truffle garlic ponzu. After, I tried the kimchi fried rice, which was absolutely delicious -- packed with flavor and ribbons of kale. Even though the white-on-white decor definitely gives off upscale vibes, most of the crowd on Sunday night was was on their way to the Caps game at the nearby arena, so it felt extra-casual. Our server was incredibly attentive and friendly, but she was self-aware to a point that was almost off-putting. All in all, not a bad dinner. I would probably come back here for a happy hour -- they offer cheap drinks and half-priced small plates and rolls, but only in the bar/lounge area.
One of my favorite restaurants in DC is @seirestaurant. The white decor, the drinks and the bomb food keeps me coming back. The restaurant fices off a super.sexy vibe. This do round I finally tried the fish and chips sushi roll. Let's talk about unexpected love in a roll!!! There was layer upon layers of flavor. I also tried the blackened tuna tacos, the kimchi friend rice, edamame and the spicy salmon cilantro roll. I'm all for traditional sushi but I love the creativity that they provide with their dishes. They also have an extensive sake menu and the bartenders know how to make a drink! Be sure to check them out. Be sure to follow on IG @savorysitesandbites