Love Makoto

Internationally renowned Japanese chef and restaurateur Makoto Okuwa, who kicked off his American culinary career as a sushi chef at DC’s beloved Sushi Taro, returns to Washington with the opening of Love, Makoto, a culinary love letter addressed to the city that welcomed him so long ago. The sushi omakase, Japanese grill omakase and izakaya—three separate full-service concepts—will be joined by a fast-casual food hall later this year Dear Sushi is an omakase experience that celebrates both traditional and envelope-pushing takes on sushi. The omakase starts with seasonal snacks, moves into several sushi courses that showcase both traditional and Chef Makoto’s modern takes, then ends with a dessert. Beyond the omakase menu, diners can order optional upgrades and add-ons to enhance the experience. Beloved BBQ is a high-end yakiniku (Japanese steakhouse) with smokeless grills at the center of each table where diners can grill their own Japanese Wagyu and American-raised beef. Yakiniku omakase includes several side plates, either Japanese or American beef, and a dessert. As with sushi, diners can order optional upgrades and add-ons to enhance the experience. Hiya Izakaya, a high-energy Japanese bar with whisky highballs and other inspired cocktails plus sake, beer, wine. Japanese bar foods on offer include skewers and bites prepared over a robata grill.