Great Sushi from Great People
Bonsai Grill has a wide selection of the sushis you'd hope for, and a good non-sushi menu too. The food is great; the seafood is fresh, the vegetables are flavorful and fresh too. The service is ourstanding: we went in and made a rather large order, but because it was going to take as long as it did, she brought us an extra soup (one fellow didn't order any) for free, and the sushi came out sequentially as it got done. And free salted soy beans too!

The decor is nice too, and different than the somewhat formal feel usually found in sushi houses. Lots of pictures of customers lined the walls, and Korean music videos on TV. The food is excellent and the service is outstanding; it's a fun place to visit, don't miss it    [25 May 2004 21:39:03]

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     ­PassacagliaMinor   

Best Sushi Place in DC Area!!!
Bonsai Grill has fresh sushi and a friendly staff at rock-bottom prices. Regular prices are very reasonable, and in addition, they offer a 1/2 price special on ALL rolls from 4-6 weekdays and 12-6 weekends. It's unbeatable!    [14 Jan 2005 14:52:13]

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     ­Anonymous   

Outstanding
One of my favorite Sushi places. Outstanding people and chef.    [16 Jun 2006 11:14:11]

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     ­Anonymous   

I would say best sushi for price/quality in DC
I don't know of a better place and I have tried at least 7 restaurants in the area. Really don't know of another reason I would try another restaurant. The sashimi is some of the best I have ever had anywhere. The rolls are generous and tasty. The service is top-notch. Beer prices are very reasonable too if you would like to crack a few cool ones.    [20 Jan 2007 10:48:37]

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Recommended Dishes: Sushi/Sashimi Combo

     ­Anonymous   

If you are looking for great sushi that is not overpriced, STOP LOOKING, YOU'VE FOUND IT!!!!
I have been to more Japanese restaurants than I can count around the world but primarily in the LA area. I am picky about the quality of my food (my fiance is a chef) and about service. I have then been to at least 7 other places in the DC area including the good places (Makoto and Sushi-Ko). However of all of these, this is the BEST sushi (and other Japanese food) for the BEST price! The lunch box special was only $9.95 and you got soup, salad, rice, chicken teriyaki, tempura, 2 dumplings, and a 6 piece california roll!! The service was wonderful, the lady was very nice and brought us everything right away! They also have four parking spots which is great for the area! It is a casual atmosphere so I wouldn't plan a special occasion here but a perfect place for everyday... This is a true gem not to be missed by those of us who love sushi and Japanese food but don't want to spend $80-150 (for 2 people) each time!    [02 Feb 2007 14:14:45]

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Recommended Dishes: Spicy Tuna Hand Roll - EXCELLENT!!

     ­Anonymous   

Sushi with a smile
I am a fairly well-traveled sushi fan and I can honestly say that the Bonsai Grill has the best sushi I have ever had. The portion sizes for the rolls are impressive by any standards, and even more so when you consider the low prices at Bonsai. They have a good listing of special rolls as well that make this restaurant unique. The fish and all the ingredients are always so fresh, which you can't say about some other local places. And you can't go wrong when a simple salad and miso soup comes with your meal.

My girlfriend and I love coming to Bonsai. We are recognized by our waitress now, but the service has been great and friendly even from the very first visit. If you are a local there is no other place you should go for sushi, and if you are just in town you should make it a point to stop by.    [06 Apr 2007 19:48:02]

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Recommended Dishes: Suzuki Roll and Kabuki Roll

     ­Bill   

Overrated
My wife (who is Japanese) and I went because we had a longing to eat good sushi after coming back from Japan. After reading all the previous reviews about this place, we had expected, well, the best sushi in the DC area (or authentic Japanese dishes as they advertise). NO! The sushi rice was properly seasoned for sushi, the cuts of the fish were not right, the taste of the fish was moderate, at best, and the salad they gave for a starter course was drenched with sesame dressing. Maybe it was the dishes we ordered (Sushi Platter Delux and Chirashi) but we were both underwelmed and would never recommend this place to anyone. Please use caution when going here. It is not good, though the server was pleasant.    [15 Jun 2007 21:29:11]

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Recommended Dishes: None

     ­Anonymous   

Replied to
I have absolutely no idea what the problem is. I am Japanese, a broker from New York City. I came to a business trip down to Washington D.C., and my business associate recommended Bonsai Grill was the best place to have a nice quiet dinner. Skeptical of course, in the beginning, I, too just felt that what the associate was "overrating" the restaruant quality. However after dining there, I was very pleased with the quality of the presentation, taste and service of this restaraunt had to offer. Ever since i have started to live in United States, I have never had sushi that was even close to of what we can find in Japan. However Bonsai Grill, was the perfect fit. Their fish was fresh, it basically melted in your mouth. The fish was "cut right". Enough to taste every bit of the flavor of both the rice and the fish. I think you should give this restaurant another chance.

By the way, Everytime I am in town in Washington D.C., Bonsai Grill is the first place I stop to dine, and the server knows my order by heart, I think that says a lot for a small business, in Japanese culture we prefer "quality over quantity" any day..    [22 Jul 2007 00:43:51]

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Recommended Dishes: Sushi / Sashimi combo, my favorite is Hamachi pieces.

     ­Anonymous   

I love this place,,,
This is one of the best sushi restaurants around. There is only one server but she's quick. It's a small place with indoor and outdoor seating. The sushi is fresh and the fish comes in thick slices. The early bird special is a steal with 2 mix and match entrees for $13.95 and includes miso soup and salad. I've been going several times a month lately but have been a regular for 3 years.    [25 Jul 2007 14:30:10]

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Recommended Dishes: sushi and lunch box

     ­Ellen   

replied to overrated
All I have to say is, I am japanese who travel to D.C. for business trips and obviously you have no clue what you are talking about. You have probably posted such a bad review because you are from another sushi restuarant in D.C. area. I love this place, the cuts are all perfect for the taste to sink into my taste buds. Their prices are better than most places I have visited and the service there is GREAT!    [13 Aug 2007 03:40:36]

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Recommended Dishes: Anything from the Sushi Bar

     ­Anonymous