Authentic single-origin Japanese flavors at the heart of the nation’s capital are what you’ll find in this culinary love letter from Celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa. Love, Makoto D.C. is a refreshing twist on the ubiquitous food hall frenzy taking over Washington and other parts of the country.
Popular in major cities, food halls enable those on the go to experience refined dining and high-quality eats quickly and at an accessible price. Love, Makoto is no different– bringing some of the highest quality ingredients and select fish from Japan served fresh daily at the food hall’s sushi parlor, Dear Sushi.
What’s on the menu?
Makoto’s sushi spot offers “envelope-pushing takes” on sushi while presenting a traditional omakase experience that enables hungry diners to enjoy a little bit of everything. For $75 your omakase experience includes o-toro, blue crab, and some “new and old” school bites.
On theme with the love letter narrative, Okuwa shares a heartfelt note about discovering his love for sushi at age 15:
I fell for you (sushi) as a young apprentice in Japan. I moved to D.C. to be with you in 2010 an then studied for decades so I could win your heart. Later, we made beautiful memories together in Miami, Mexico, South America and Los Angeles. Now I’m ready to take the relationship to the next level. Love, Makoto.
Head to Beloved BBQ if it’s land you crave over sea. The classic Japanese steakhouse empowers you to cook your food exactly how you like it over the smokeless grills at the heart of each table. The star of the menu is the Japanese A-5 Wagyu Beef.
Okuwa himself shares in the Beloved BBQ note to self that Japanese beef will always have his heart, but American beef is a close second. The restaurant presents diners the option to determine which beef reigns supreme! American or Japanese?
The menu presents 2 options: 6 cuts of American beef for $85 or 6 cuts of Japanese beef for $150. Both offerings come with 6 sides and a dessert.
No time to determine which country has the best beef? Then you’ll find yourself in place at Hiya Izakaya-Love, Makoto’s high-energy hangout for mingling amongst quick bites.
This completes the opening of phase one, the food hall’s high-end concepts. More fast-casual options like ramen, udon and more will open later this year! Unlike most food halls, which act as melting pots for a city’s most celebrated chefs, Makoto will be the sole proprietor of Love, Makoto–maintaining high quality standards and differentiation for each concept.
Find Love, Makoto at 200 Mass. Ave., NW, STE 150, Washington, DC 20001