Akeno Sushi Bar and Thai at Capitol Hill

"Friday nights at Akeno Sushi Bar and Thai are the epitome of a good time. To get to the Capitol Hill restaurant you have to climb a set of steps that lead to a secret alcove covered with blooming pink cherry blossoms and red and blue Japanese lanterns. Bring a group of friends for a round of drinks from the restaurant's tiki-bar-esque cocktail menu, and spend a few mindless hours sipping on matcha sours and lavender gin fizz while downing impeccably crafted soft shell crab tempura. " - tristiana hinton, omnia saed

"Akeno Sushi Bar and Thai is the kind of place you take your friends to on a Friday night, where everyone can grab a round of drinks from the restaurant’s tiki bar-esque cocktail menu while contemplating the chances of a federal shutdown. Again. But it’s not until you try the sushi, that you’ll really start paying attention to this Capitol Hill spot. The restaurant's sushi specials—like the Akeno roll, made with a decadent and crispy soft-shell crab tempura—can make any conversation, even the ones about government antics, appealing. " - omnia saed, tristiana hinton