Wingyan L.
Yelp
Oasis The Listening Bar is an upscale Japanese restaurant located in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington.
The space has such a sleek, intimate atmosphere -- perfect for conversation and cocktails.
We started with Jasmine Green Tea, then shared an impressive spread: Beef Kushiyaki, Chicken Kushiyaki, Grilled Baby Octopus, Sashimi Deluxe, and Chicken Teriyaki. The sashimi was fresh and beautifully presented, though the slices were a bit thin, making them hard to pick up -- and at the price point, it felt slightly overpriced for the portion.
The highlights of the night were the Squid Ink Uni Spaghetti, Oasis Roll, Salmon Truffle, Hotate Strawberry Yuzu, and Chirashi -- all well-balanced and flavorful. For dessert, the Earl Grey Crème Brûlée was a delightful finale with its subtle tea aroma and creamy texture.
Cocktails were creative and fun -- we tried the Wiggly Witch, Moonglow, Venom Velvet, and Fujii Kaze, each offering unique flavor profiles and gorgeous presentation.
The only downside: some tables have a 90-minute limit while others do not, which feels a bit inconsistent for a place designed for lingering and listening.
All in all, Oasis The Listening Bar is a stylish and vibrant spot with quality food, inventive drinks, and great ambiance -- just a few tweaks away from being perfect.