Open List Home >> Bethesda, MD >> Restaurants & Food >> Restaurants >> Raku-An Asian Diner
You'll Be Impressed From The Moment You Walk Through The Door!
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Raku in Bethesda is a two star Asian restaurant. Check out this affordable place in the Bethesda area. This place features outdoor dining. When you step inside the restaurant, you'll notice a family atmosphere. This restaurant features a full bar. This place is good for groups.
3.0 of 5 stars.
I've been twice: one time it wasn't very busy, and the sushi was great. I split two sushi rolls with my boyfriend, and the special "Inside Out Salmon" was incredible!! There was salmon on top of the...
yelp.com - user review - 10/15/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
PUMPKIN ALERT: pumpkin-ginger soup http://tweetphoto.com/djyjatzs - it's a must-have. Piping hot, creamy, pumkiny, gingery soup topped with croutons and pumpkin seeds. I much prefer coming here for...
yelp.com - user review - 10/07/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I have been here close to 10 times and I haven't had a bad meal yet.I do think the restaurant is cramped and gets crazy crowded-- make a reservation, especially on the weekend. Also it's pretty loud,...
yelp.com - user review - 09/22/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Love a place where you can get a good bento box! Randomly came across this place during our mission to find a yummy meal before our movie while not spending a fortune on a Sunday in Bethesda....
yelp.com - user review - 09/14/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Good sushi!I was surprised by "unexpected" in good way...my friend and I visited this place as we had a business nearby.I did not have good expectation...but after all, it was nice surprise in a good...
yelp.com - user review - 09/08/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I used to eat here a couple days out of the week a couple years back since I worked really close. It was great. The food was good but pricey (It's Bethesda...). The atmosphere was good, and my...
yelp.com - user review - 08/28/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
SETTING: Third visit. Mid-day.SERVICE: Quick & FriendlyDECOR: Can I get some of the large paper Lantern fixtures to go? They would look great hanging above my patio.ENTREE: 6 Avocado Sushi Rolls...
yelp.com - user review - 08/25/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
My friend Olivia calls it CRAKU - True Story! Today, and I'm not sorry to admit, was my THIRD time there in the last 96 hours. Mmmm Crunchy Shrimp Roll is made of the things dreams are made of!NOT...
yelp.com - user review - 08/25/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Very happy with Raku last night, particularly their sushi. Their menu definitely varies from the location in Dupont - I noticed some different sushi combos. We shared a grilled squid app, which was...
yelp.com - user review - 08/20/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I have visited Raku many times before this last visit. Usually, I partake in their very good, creative sushi (dragon roll is a favorite!). But this time both my boyfriend and I were under the weather...
yelp.com - user review - 08/17/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
i can never decide between which giant bowl of soup to get. the curry soup is fantastically tasty, and the tokyo dash is soul warming. i dream about the udon noodles....while the soup is more than...
yelp.com - user review - 07/19/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I've been coming to Raku for many years, and here is how I summarize it:It's a fun place to come and have a great meal with somebody. If you want to smell the food before you see it, this place is...
yelp.com - user review - 07/04/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
If you are a single named restaurant RAKU and throw in some foo-foo protein and have reasonable prices and quick servers you will be successful......Sushi Damo in Rockville has to get its learn on. :)...
yelp.com - user review - 06/26/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I finally got to Raku-- people have been telling me to eat here since I moved to the area in August. The wait is always too freakin' long and I can never get a reservation...but last night, I had...
yelp.com - user review - 06/21/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Raku is excellent, and I eat here every time I am in the area. They are consistent in their food and great service. They're also fast. If you ever sit at the sushi bar, you can see why they are fast....
yelp.com - user review - 06/04/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
J'adore this place! The first time I went I had the waitress that looks like the costume maker from the Incredibles. (You'll know who I'm talking about.) She highly recommended the beef tataki and...
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Delicious! AND they have a great gluten-free menu for those of us with Celiacs. Their scallops with mushrooms are fantastic, and I have liked everything I have tried at Raku. It tends to be very noisy...
yelp.com - user review - 05/25/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Sea bass, dragon roll, generally everything is delicious here. I think the prices are little bit much for some of its entrees, especially for dinner. The Raku in Dupont doesn't even compare to this...
yelp.com - user review - 05/25/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Classy, upscale ambiance which is strangely paired with polite, quick service... if you can flag someone down. We were rapidly sat on the sidewalk with such pleasant weather going on, but waited......
yelp.com - user review - 05/24/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
This place came highly recommended by a family friend. The food itself was ok, not the best sushi I've ever had in the world. MY boyfriend had the bento box which was a good deal. The box came with...
yelp.com - user review - 05/09/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
The place was packed on a Friday night but the service was unexpectedly quick without making us feel rushed at all. My friend had the sushi which she really enjoyed and I had the wheat udon soup with...
yelp.com - user review - 04/12/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The sushi here is good and the platters are reasonably priced. It's always crowded at this location and sometimes difficult to have a conversation with whoever you're with because of how close the...
yelp.com - user review - 03/22/2009
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2.0 of 5 stars.
We had Thai food that was less greasy, and sushi that was less dry. In case you are in Bethesda and you are dying for a Thai food that's your best bet, but if you want a sushi there are other place...
yelp.com - user review - 03/22/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Came here last week for a birthday dinner. I thought it was OK. The food was good, service was OK. I felt kind of rushed though. I don't feel the need to come back. Not sure what all the hype is...
yelp.com - user review - 03/16/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I stopped on in here for lunch and was pleasantly surprised. I tried the salmon toro and it was awesome. The udon noodles were pretty good too. Service was fast for a crowded lunch place. It is really...
yelp.com - user review - 03/03/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I love this place. You get a taste of different Asian dishes. I especially love the Seafood Coconut Curry Soup with whole wheat udon noodles! It has a lot of flavor, it's spicy, and has lots of...
yelp.com - user review - 02/27/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Girls night out is always fun =). This place was filled w/ lots of young professionals kickin' back and having a good time. I liked the fact that us girls can be "loud" without having to worry about...
yelp.com - user review - 02/11/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is the only sushi place I go to in Maryland. The only complaint I have is that the place is small, and it can get really packed. I love their crunch spicy tuna and steak udon. I wish they had...
yelp.com - user review - 02/09/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This is the only sushi place in Maryland that is worth the money. All the sushi is executed beautifully. The entrees are excellent. I'm a big fan of the dashi broth soup and the coconut curry soup....
yelp.com - user review - 02/08/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Massive bowls of curry soup.
yelp.com - user review - 02/03/2009
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5.0 of 5 stars.
One of the best in town! Not only for sushi, but they do a great job on other cooked items. No wonder they are always busy. Reservation recommended on weekends. And very moderate priced as long as...
yelp.com - user review - 01/29/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
4.5 starsI've been here many, many times and the food is consistently very good. Being vegetarians, my husband and I usually stick to the sushi -- tamago, inari, and the avocado rolls are excellent....
yelp.com - user review - 01/28/2009
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4.0 of 5 stars.
My girlfriend and I visited Raku for dinner on Tuesday night, and the restaurant turned out to be far better than we had remembered it to be. The last time we went was about 6 months ago on a busy...
yelp.com - user review - 01/14/2009
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I am coming to like Bethesda more and more, but I hate the people that frequent and live in Bethesda so much. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's inconsiderate people. I had dinner with my...
yelp.com - user review - 12/24/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Always crowded for dinner, so try to make a reservation. They have a steak dish with mashed potatoes that is good in case you want a more substantial meal.
yelp.com - user review - 12/08/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
All I can say is "CHILEAN SEA BASS!!!" Wow--this place has the best chilean sea bass I've ever tasted. As soon as the bass hit my tongue, I felt like it just melted like butter! I've been working...
yelp.com - user review - 11/22/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
We frequent this asian diner because the location is convenient. Also the hubs enjoys having choices in sushi/sashimi locations. I tag along since I heart the boy and they offer a variety of 'warm'...
yelp.com - user review - 11/16/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
I parked right in front of the restaurant to catch a film screening thought about walking over to Penang but Raku looked rather appealing from the outside, it was packed with people at 6:00 PM. I...
yelp.com - user review - 11/12/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I visited Raku again tonight and decided it deserved another star. I got the coconut curry soup this time... mmm delicious!. It did get a bit messy though with the udon noodles (but our server quickly...
yelp.com - user review - 11/11/2008
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I tried my first bento box at Raku. The restaurant is conveniently located in downtown Bethesda; however, parking on the street is a hassle. The price is a little on the expensive side, but this can be...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/05/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I absolutely adore Raku! I'm a regular in the Besthesda location, but Dupont is just as good !The decor and ambiance is amazing. And the staff is very professional and nice too! The food is absolutely...
yelp.com - user review - 10/04/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I really like the bento boxes, and the iced tea is very good. The service is incredibly polite and efficient. The mix of American and Asian ingredients makes for an interesting menu, most of the time....
yelp.com - user review - 10/01/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
This has been my study break stop for quite some time now. Since I typically want something predictable and filling during these fly-by meals, I've narrowed myself down to a pretty standard order:...
yelp.com - user review - 08/28/2008
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3.0 of 5 stars.
3.5 starsI have been here a few times for lunch in the last month. Each time I have had the sushi -- and it has been ranged from very good to excellent. It is one of the better lunch options in...
yelp.com - user review - 08/27/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I have to say, this is my favorite place to get sushi in the D.C. metro area. The menu is extensive, I've never had bad service, and the food has never disappointed.It does get packed on weekends, so...
yelp.com - user review - 08/22/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I went here after salsa dancing last night.First, I was a little taken back by the prices-but remember to do it Family Style and you will be alright. We order two side plates, an entree and it came...
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I was really impressed with the sushi, menu and service at this Raku. I had never been to this location, only the one in Dupont (and the one located in Whole Foods in Logan). This one had a more...
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
I don't understand why this place gets such high ratings. The service was mediocre and the food well it didn't feel like anything over 1.5 maybe 2 (Referring to the Lunch menu) -The teriyaki chicken...
yelp.com - user review - 08/01/2008
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2.0 of 5 stars.
I visited Raku about 5 times when I first moved to the city and hadn't yet realized the abundance of better options. This restaurant is extremely crowded, and the service is rushed, fast, but...
yelp.com - user review - 08/01/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Due to the flies, it lost a star.Seriously, I so will never eat in to this place again (I will however, do take out). I stopped by here on my way home cause I was staving and sat at the bar. The...
yelp.com - user review - 07/09/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Okay, sure, the sushi is good. People like it. Great.But...if you haven't had the warm asparagus and mushroom "salad", you've not lived.Warning. This item is highly addictive. Get that perfect...
yelp.com - user review - 07/01/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I love raku, it can be a bit pricey, as typical for sushi. The best deals are the lunch boxes you get a lot of food and cheaply compared to the price they would be individual rolls or for dinner. I...
yelp.com - user review - 06/05/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I lovvvvve Raku. I've been here for lunch several times, and always get the Chicken Teriyaki Bento box, which is really filling. It's always busy, even at lunch there is a bit of a wait, but it's...
yelp.com - user review - 04/17/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I've been to Raku four or five times now and have been very pleased each time, although in the evenings there has always been a wait (and they don't take reservations). I love to read the creative...
yelp.com - user review - 04/10/2008
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One of the best Sushi restaurants in Bethesda. Must try is the Seaweed salad, Binto Boxes and their famous cornmeal breaded Calamari. Excellent service and food is fresh and reasonably priced.
citysearch.com - user review - 03/24/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I dined here about a year ago and have been meaning to go back. Their sushi was ok, not dazzling, but they had a grilled baby octopus that was great. The octopus was tender and delicious and the sauce...
yelp.com - user review - 03/18/2008
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Raku is definitely well worth the trip! Boo hoo if you're complaining you can...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 03/16/2008
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It seems that after its review in the Washington Post, Raku, the Asian-fusion...
urbanspoon.com - user review - 03/15/2008
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1.0 of 5 stars.
PARTIES OF 2, DON'T GO TO RAKU, THEY WON'T SEAT YOU. It seems that after its review in the Washington Post, Raku, the Asian-fusion restaurant on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland, has gotten a...
yelp.com - user review - 03/15/2008
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Raku, the Asian-fusion restaurant on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland, has gotten a little too big for their britches. My husband and I walked in for lunch and simply said "Two please." The place was crowded, except were 3 roomy booths sitting wide open. They said we would have to wait. We pointed to the 3 spacious, unoccupied booths and said that we would like to sit there, especially since they were the only tables open. And it seemed the wait could be long. They said that those booths were for parties of 4 customers -- exclusively. We explained that we too were customers and there was not 1, even 2, but 3 of those spacious booths available. The waiter said that he would not seat us. Astonished, we asked to speak to the manager on duty, thinking that surely 2 paying customers in the booth were worth 4 who had not yet arrived. Not to mention the fact that you never turn away a good customer (or two in this case). Apparently that's not how they think. "Policy, it's our policy." said the manager. AND THEY TURNED US AWAY! As frequent diners-out, I assured Mr. Manager that we would not return and we would spread the word that Raku was so breathtakingly arrogant that they could afford to turn away parties of 2 customers in anticipation of parties of 4. If you don't like their "policy" give them a call and tell them that you would be having lunch/dinner there, but you heard that "Parties of two, don't go to Raku, since Raku won't seat you."
openlist - user review - 03/15/2008
3.0 of 5 stars.
I went here for lunch and the place was packed! Everyone got the Bento Box special which seemed like a good deal. I got the Chicken Teriyaki and substituted a Crunchy Tuna roll for the California...
yelp.com - user review - 02/15/2008
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Restaurant Week Review from Summer 2007 (4.5 stars)My boyfriend and I came here on a whim because we were so hungry and could not wait for our 9pm reservations at another place. I am glad about our...
yelp.com - user review - 01/21/2008
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5.0 of 5 stars.
I've really become attached to this place. The seaweed salad is really amazing, and the sushi is very diverse, unlike most places I've seen. For me to get excited about food is extremely rare, but I'm...
yelp.com - user review - 12/10/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
Tasty appetizers, pretty good sushi (I was especially impressed by the Korean tuna roll, which has kimchee and spicy sauce in it), and very friendly and speedy service. So why only three stars? Well,...
yelp.com - user review - 09/24/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
I usually end up at this place for lunch and their bento boxes are a good deal. Love the whole Asian Fusion thing, and there are lots of unusual touches from a place that on the surface seems to...
yelp.com - user review - 09/04/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
After being spoiled by the tremendous sushi in San Francisco, now here in DC for a while, Raku is the highest quality sushi restaurant I've found, especially outside of the woodley/dupont area. Just...
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2007
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Raku racks up the points with me...My wife and I wondered down there on a Sunday, and had the esteemed pleasure of dining outside. As a Floridian I will start by saying I'm VERY particular on the...
yelp.com - user review - 08/03/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
The sushi is good; everything else is ok but has never blown me away. It gets crowded as hell, and as it's a Bethesda crowd it can get super annoying super quick. I only go for lunch and I frequently...
yelp.com - user review - 07/20/2007
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3.0 of 5 stars.
It is a good concept. Asian fusion food. It is not really all the way for this place even though it is pretty good. I think Dupont location is better.
yelp.com - user review - 07/17/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Raku is a great place to take a first date for lots of reasons. It has that fusion thing going on so finding something on the menu that will suit both parties won't be too tough (order the Tuna...
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2007
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4.0 of 5 stars.
Went here for the 1st time for a girl's night out. The decor of the place was nice. A little crowded though, especially with the big winter coats, hard to get around. The servers were friendly....
yelp.com - user review - 02/12/2007
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Had my birthday lunch there yesterday. The wait stuff was attentive, and let us take our time during our stay (even during a busy lunch hour). Great vegetarian bento box (great value and filling!).
menupages.com - user review - 09/21/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Raku has some of the best sushi I've ever had, and they have other cool dishes to go with it. I try to eat here every time I go to DC for business, which is pretty frequently. Every colleague I've...
yelp.com - user review - 09/03/2006
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Was there couple months ago with a female friend. Got Quite annoying by the fact that waiters pass thru your table every 30 seconds. But food is good. Even though waiters were busy, they were friednly...
judysbook.com - user review - 03/17/2006
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5.0 of 5 stars.
Fresh sushi with NY style.If I hear about a sushi restaurant near me I must sample the menu. Raku is the best sushi in Montgomery County, no questions asked. The fish tastes very fresh and they...
yelp.com - user review - 03/03/2006
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This cousin of the Dupont Circle restaurant appears to focus more on sushi than the curry dishes of its counterpart. And the sushi here is fresh, widely varied and GOOD. It's not a place to go if you'...
judysbook.com - user review - 01/28/2006
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when mark miller opened the first raku restaurant in dupont circle some years ago, some people must have wondered why he was forsaking his southwestern successes for oriental adventures. with this second raku...
gayot.com - user review
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a little bit of asia in every dish...
cityguide.aol.com - user review
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interesting menu, beware the attitude...
chefmoz.org - user review
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