Nama Ko

"While there’s already sushi (Takara 14) and ramen (Jinya) nearby, the 14th Street nightlife corridor is relatively amiss of a Japanese-themed izakaya — especially after short-lived Nama Ko flopped at the top of the strip this spring." - Evan Caplan

"Beginning the first week in March, chef Derek Watson will showcase Sakura-smoked katsuo bonito sashimi ($22) with black garlic shio koji, kumquat kosho, house-aged ponzu with cara cara oranges, and Sakura blossoms foraged by Watson himself. Nama Ko will also be featuring a Sakura-smoked Old Fashioned. Made with Iwai Japanese whiskey and orange bitters, the drink is smoked tableside with cherry blossom wood." - Vinciane Ngomsi

"Michael Schlow’s hot new Japanese restaurant offers a $35 bottomless brunch deal featuring three offbeat options: a sakura bellini, lychee saketini, and yuzu mimosas. A la carte orders include a section of “dimsum-ish” dishes, spicy duck confit hash, a fried egg-topped kobe burger, and list of specialty rolls." - Tierney Plumb, Stephanie Carter

"Michael Schlow’s sushi-centric replacement to Mexican restaurant Tico sticks to tradition this year by wrapping its windows along 14th Street NW in rainbows. Nama Ko celebrates Pride all month with three bottomless brunch drinks (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.): a Lychee Saketini, Sakura Bellini, and Yuzu Mimosa. Nama Ko also offers the drinks to-go for $10. Extended happy hour runs from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. all month, too. Sister restaurant Alta Strada offers parade attendees 10-percent off dinner that night." - Evan Caplan

"Nama Ko, Boston-based celebrity chef Michael Schlow’s Japanese-style replacement to his Latin stalwart Tico, closed after just 18 months of service." - Tierney Plumb