Sushi Taro Reopens for Takeout After a 2-Month Break

Michelin-starred sushi returns to Dupont

The Japanese sea urchin, cured horse mackerel, and karaage chicken bento boxes Sushi Taro sells for lunch today will represent the first meals to come out of the Michelin-starred Japanese kitchen in about 10 weeks. The Dupont Circle staple reopens for carryout today, ending a hiatus it has used to remodel the interior and reevaluate operations in light of the COVID-19 crisis. There are daily imported seafood specials, nigiri, bento boxes, entrees, and small plates. Customer can order through Toast here. Co-owner Jin Yamazaki tells Washington City Paper that Sushi Taro is focusing on to-go as a “permanent business,” which means bringing on new packaging that could affect prices on items like chirashi bowls and bento boxes.

In other news ...

• Jônt, the tasting menu and bar that chef Ryan Ratino has been building above Michelin-starred, foie gras-happy bistro Bresca on 14th Street NW, opened last night with plexiglass dividers separating chef’s counter seats. Washingtonian reports that Ratino is serving dishes like like a Dungeness crab tartlette with preserved truffle, “embered” foie, and a 45-day aged, thick-cut pork chop. There’s also a Sunday lunch option. [W]
• Makan, the new Malaysian restaurant in Columbia Heights from former Maketto and Spoken English chef James Wozniuk, is rolling out its first brunch this weekend. Wozniuk is introducing dishes like eggs in the restaurant’s sambal, biscuits with coconut pandan custard, and shrimp fritters with sweet chili, carrot, and turmeric. Co-owner Kendrick Wu is making cocktails with ingredients like Penang syrup, and mimosas come with a choice of two fruit flavors (orange, cranberry, passion fruit, soursoup). Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reserve a spot on the 20-table patio here.

Rey Lopez/Eater D.C.

• Union Market is showing drive-in movies on Fridays (cars only, $20 per vehicle), and essential tavern St. Anselm is selling its own line of concessions. Snacks ($5 to $9) include options like cotton candy, pimento cheese hot dogs, and loaded tater tots. There are also egg creams, malted vanilla shakes, and eclectic soda bottles. Call 202-864-2199 for preorders. The lot opens at 7:30 p.m., and movies start at 9 p.m. Tonight’s pick is Space Jam.

St. Anselm [official]

• Washington City Paper has released its annual Food issue with a focus on “change-makers” working to challenge inequities throughout D.C.’s food system. [WCP]
• Blogger Barred in DC reports details about $1,000 fines that D.C.’s liquor authority doled out to two bars, District Soul Food on Barracks Row and Red Lounge Hookah on U Street NW, for failing to enforce COVID-19-related restrictions.
• Billy Ray White, a co-owner of the iconic Captain White Seafood City stand at the Municipal Fish Market on the Southwest Waterfront, died in a car accident days before his 65th birthday, according to a Facebook post from the business.