Omakase, which means “I leave it up to you,” is a form of Japanese dining in which the chef selects, prepares and serves the meal, rather than customers ordering from a menu. Chefs often choose the freshest, seasonal specialties to highlight at these curated feasts, which traditionally include gorgeous artistic presentations. Here are four places to treat yourself to an upscale dining adventure.
Takumi
Yes, you can order sushi a la carte at this intimate Falls Church space that holds only 30 diners, but the chef’s choice dinner menu is a perfect antidote to decision paralysis. The options include sushi tastings with six nigiri pieces and one roll ($24), nine nigiri pieces ($27), nine pieces with toppings ($30), fresh sushi cuts of the day ($42) and 10 or 17 pieces of sashimi ($26 or $42). With uni, fatty tuna, butterfish (aka escolar or Hawaiian Walu) and seasonal proteins such as ankimo (monkfish liver), smoked saba (mackerel) and kinmedai (also known as Splendid Alfonsino), it’s unlikely chef-owner Jay Yu will steer you wrong. // 310 S. Washington St., Falls Church
Modan
Its name means “modern” in Japanese, and the 7,000-square-foot restaurant coming this fall to the new Heming apartment complex in Tysons promises contemporary cuisine. Executive Chef Micheole “Chico” Dator—most recently executive sushi chef at Nobu DC—specializes in proprietary in-house dry aging, a process by which enzymes break down the protein and fat structures within meat and fish while drawing out moisture. The space will feature a bar, sushi counter, private omakase counter, private dining space and outdoor patio. // 1788 Chain Bridge Road, McLean (Tysons)
Wren
Tickets are now available for an 18- to 20-course omakase tasting experience prepared by Executive Sous Chef Hobin Kim at this upscale izakaya on the top floor of the Watermark Hotel in Tysons. The $175 ticket gets you a spot at the six-seat private bar, where you can watch Kim make the dishes, which are paired with sake, wine and Wren’s signature cocktails. Reserve a spot at one of the Monday night tastings, which run from Oct. 28-Dec. 9. // 1825 Capital One Drive S., Tysons
Yume Sushi
Omakase is a spectator sport at this East Falls Church sushi bar, where the chefs narrate each part of the meal as they prepare it fresh in front of you. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, as the two-hour dining experience is available to only 10 people per seating. No two omakase visits are alike, but as a point of reference, chef Saran Kannasute’s a la carte menu features creative rolls such as the A5 Wagyu (lump crab, avocado and cucumber topped with A5 wagyu—the highest-quality grade for the Japanese beef—truffle oil, black pepper sauce, truffle wasabi, and black balsamic pearls) and specials such as Smoke Box with a choice of fish such as lavender smoked salmon or kanpachi with garlic ponzu, chili yuzu, yuzu ice and French caviar. // 2121 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington (East Falls Church)