Ama Ami

Long review below so the short version is: Incredible chirashi that is “you would find this in Tokyo” level. Fresh and wonderful selection of ingredients. The kindest owner and team I have ever met which has turned me into an Ama Ami fan, lifelong customer and cheerleader. This review is way overdue. I had planned for Ama Ami to be our lunch stop while visiting Georgetown back in October 2023, and our time there completely MADE our family DC trip. We even cried happy tears after. The food is incredible and the atmosphere was so cute! We dined outside in the courtyard space, although the inside is nice too. The attention to detail, the freshness, and the selection of ingredients are among the best. We are Japanese, so it meant a lot to be reminded of home. What really solidified this as a memorable lunch spot was the love, care, and kindness chef Amy showed to my mom. I ordered our lunch ahead and asked if Amy could draw a personal card to my Mom (my Mom would soon be starting her new job as Executive Pastry Chef). Amy drew the CUTEST card for her, which my Mom still has and framed in our kitchen as a reminder of our wonderful trip. We were already blown away at this point but Amy came over to us, crouched down to my Mom’s level and spoke to her a bit in Japanese and shared a very kind message congratulating her on her new position, encouraging her and telling my Mom how much it meant to her (a total sweet stranger!!) that there are people out there pursuing and elevating desserts and pastry. As Amy walked away, my Mom, sister and I cried because we were so touched by Amy’s kindness. Even before this we knew we would be coming back, but Ama Ami now has a lifelong customer in us!

I’ve lived in Tokyo for years and eaten at scores of sushi restaurants, including several with multiple Michelin stars. Ama Ami/ Two Nine would easily hold its own among such company and is EASILY the best sushi in the DC area. The quality of the fish, the rice, the seasoning, and presentation exceeds in many cases what you would get as luxury takeout from high end restaurants in Japan. Thank you for bringing such excellence to DC without the usual trappings of pretentiousness that plague other high end places in the area. Incredible.

two nine is a pop up by ama ami, which will be opening up as a permanent store later this year. they offer a variety of chirashi and nigiri options with some special menu items as well, and japanese snacks/desserts. on fridays and saturdays they have a $27 lunch special for their mini chirashi and $25 nigiri (pictured below). they mostly operate take out, japanese canteen style. would love if they served bentos in the future! the staff is friendly and i'm looking forward to their growth.

Cute Japanese food counter in Georgetown! Both my friend and I ordered the mini bara chirashi with the spam musubi, wakame sunomono, iced barley tea. The fish was fresh and all the sides were delicious. Would recommend stopping by if you’re in Georgetown!

I really miss this place and I keep checking back to see if they’ve reopened. If you love high end, super fresh sashimi and sushi, try this place! Everything feels like it’s made with care and everything I’ve ordered has been excellent. I especially appreciate them hooking me on snapper bone broth 🥰 Delicious!!

I love this spot. They host a lunch deal from 12:30-3 and the main dishes are fantastic as well! Great combo of ingredients and freshness is peak! Highly recommend.

$71.5 for a bowl of rice with a thin layer of fish, around 15 pieces….. For the price you pay, the quantity is very little. It doesn’t look like the photos on their website. You can get the same at bluefin (right around the corner) for $35.

What a wonderful place to eat! The fish was obviously a highlight, and was delicious and filling. The roll was had a wonderful texture and taste (and was my favorite because of my sweet tooth). Everything from meal to dessert to drink was well thought out. Pickup and ordering was super easy. No other place like it in DC!