Ariake Japanese Restaurant

Reviews 9

CH

Cherie Brown

My husband and I have been dining at Ariake and visit every week or two since we first learned about it a little over a year ago. We have always been incredibly impressed with the consistency of quality ingredients, presentation, service, and ambience. The interior and patio seating areas are serene and balanced. Warm, clean lines, clean, sleek, marble tabletops, delicate needlepoint designs purposely placed, ink Japanese character designs subtly displayed, hot cups of green tea and cold, tall glasses of kirin ichiban, live orchids in the entryway and the garden-like pond out front are reminiscence of a simpler, still life, and the ephemerality of time.The miso nabeyaki udon is our favorite dish and and hits the spot every time! This soup dish is served very hot in a large caste iron bowl and is filled with the perfect combination of ingredients - a rich, complex miso broth, udon noodles, fresh spinach, thinly sliced onion, shiitake mushrooms, crab meat, green onions, a poached egg, and two crispy tempura shrimp on the top. We often try the sushi specials and their teriyaki beef is terrific - it makes any other teriyaki beef youve had before look like a tv dinner. The beef is thinly sliced, juicy, and tender and the sauce.... unbelievable! Its like magic on a plate. But, I would say that the simpler elements of this entree really bring it all together. Try it for yourself to see what I mean. :) I hope you have found this review to be helpful. See you soon at Ariake. :)

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A Private User

From the outside-in the place is a winner. It is amazing just how good former fast food establishments can look with a little TLC. Inside is very nice bordering on beautiful (yes, bathrooms too) with absolutely no hint of former incarnations. Ambiance is relaxing, staff knowledgeable, pleasant and attentive without being invasive. All together an excellent dining environment. I like my little spot at the end of the sushi bar where I can lust in my heart over the numerous varieties of beautiful, beautiful treasures from the sea. From this vantage point I marvel at chef Aokis talents - he is truly a master. Ordering standard sushi/sashimi fare results in a beautiful presentation of the tastiest delicacies. If you are lucky enough to visit on a slower-than-usual night, ask Aoki to surprise you - whatever you are served will be great, but then as your palate becomes known to him, well, hmmm, uh, heaven can only dream of being this good! I know Ariake has a kitchen, and I know the few things Ive had from the kitchen are outstanding, but its the sushi/sashimi and Aokis talents that bring me back oh so often. Ariake also has other sushi chefs and their work is superior too - even if Aoki had the audacity to take a night off Im never disappointed with Ariake. Oh yeah, try the sake too!

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KE

Kelley Westenhoff

I live nearby and go back periodically to see if my opinion might change. Sadly, it hasnt. Im not sure why they have such great reviews and are packed -- except there really isnt much to compete with them in Reston, especially south of the toll road. Why do I think this? First, the food. For DC prices, I expect DC quality of experience. This place is way overpriced for not being in DC. The tables are too close together, the servers, while polite, are too few and far between, thus not allowing them the opportunity to provide true Japanese service and hospitality. The food is adequate, but certainly not worth the price. My daughter had sashimi and reported it to be very fatty. Ive tried every non-sashimi and sushi dish they have over several visits and theyre always meh. The tempura is always too greasy (which means their batter vs. oil temperature isnt right) I really want to like this place more, thus my re-visits, but I just cant lie to people. Youre going to pay too much money for so-so food, hurried service, and a lousy atmosphere. With this visit tonight, Im finished for another 8-9 months until I forget how disappointed I was again.

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Y. KASHIWAZAKI

I am Japanese and I put solid 4 stars for this place. The stars are for their very polite servers, services, hospitality, quality of the fish and the clean bath room. A star reduced for several of their menus, which I feel overpriced, inappropriately Americanized, or simply not tasty enough (e.g., ika-yaki) that I think therere still rooms for improvement. The actual store is a little tacky and plane, but in a strangely comfortable way. I like this place because the food and the atmosphere remind me the local family restaurants I used to go back in my country. Luckily, there are also some skilled Japanese chefs I heard, which is not always the cases among Japanese restaurants around this area. It is important for me especially after being disappointed so often by those pseudo-Japanese foods offered by non-trained Asian folks. NOTE: I have only tried their various appetisers, nigiris and makis so my review here should be only referred for those.

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ED

Edward Lerp

Came here for lunch yesterday with 8 coworkers. Immediately, we were told that they could not split checks, but they would do us a "favor" in running our cards beforehand. Sushi came out and was quite underwhelming for the price (Around $18 total for the lunch "special" and all I had was a water to drink). It really didnt taste fresh. No drinks other than water were ever offered to the table. The parking here is awful. I couldnt get out of the damn place without squeezing in the middle of cars. My coworker was criticized for not being able to eat her seaweed wrapped sushi which she said was rock hard. This place did not live up to the hype to say the least. Wont be coming back.

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MA

Matthew Allen

Very, very high quality sushi. I was a hardcore fan of another sushi restaurant in the metro area, but Ariake puts them to shame. Sushi/Sashimi is incredible here. Highly recommend you at least try this place. A little bit more expensive than most sushi places, but you are getting what you paid for. It can also get a little busy and noisy. However, these would be my only critiques. But, the sushi is so good here. Also, a pleasant surprise was the miso soup. Very soft, decadent tofu in a smooth, very clean tasting miso broth. I hope this place never changes.

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WA

Warron French

I have never had a bad meal or a bad experience here. I good friend of mine who lives in the town of Reston introduced me to this place, and I have always enjoyed going out of my way for a nice little Sushi Meal at this restaurant. The fish is always 100% freshly sliced. You can tell by the texture of the cut fish and the smell, and of course the taste of the succulent fish cuts. My favorite thing on their menu is the Baked Spicy Crab Roll; if you like crab and sushi *that is* the item to get.

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Amanda Storey

I love this place, especially the wait style they have. Japanese servers dont bend over backwards or exert disingenuous friendliness for tips, which I appreciate. Theyre quick and polite, which is all I need or care about when Im on my lunch break and pressed for time. Im not terribly adventurous when it comes to food and generally only get the sushi and sashimi lunch, but its delicious every time. I really enjoy the atmosphere as well. Ill miss this spot when we eventually move offices.

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KA

Katherine Marusin

While there are several options for sushi in the Reston area, we always go to Ariake. The fish is always fresh, well-prepared, and consistently good. Im surprised reading other reviews about disappointing service - the staff seems to always remember our preferences (large sake, takosu, fried ice cream), and goes out of their way to be friendly, but not overbearing. The food alone is enough to ensure repeat visits, but the service makes it one of our favorite places, bar-none.

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