Sushi Sushi!

There is a small, delicious and very affordable sushi restaurant off Wisconsin Avenue in Cleveland Park. Tucked away on Macomb Street, Sushi Sushi can be easily overlooked by the nightly crowds gathered outside 2 Amys and Cactus Cantina.

However, there is a reason it has been a local favorite for many years. I hesitate to even draw attention to it for fear it too will attract Disneyland long lines and require flashy pagers while you wait for a table. Alas, the sushi is so good and reasonably priced I am obliged to share my discovery. While the restaurant itself is rather small, the flavors are big and the menu is varied. The modest dining room is bright and lively. A large mural of rolling blue waves and bold colored fish flows along the walls creating an underwater dining experience. There is a small patio for outdoor seating during the warmer months. However, diners do not come here for the ambiance -- they come here for the food!

As its name suggests, Sushi Sushi sticks to what it knows best -- and it works. Unlike many other sushi restaurants in D.C., Sushi Sushi doesn’t mess with other Asian-style cuisine and it doesn’t need to. The menu is extensive -- offering many unique dishes prepared with exceptionally fresh ingredients. To start, there are a variety of salads and appetizers (try the crunchy eel salad). There is a long list of a la cart sushi as well as sashimi combination platters. Temaki, or cone-shaped hand rolls, are also offered in a variety of combinations, such as salmon, tuna or try the “Volcano” (their self-proclaimed specialty) with eel, avocado, fish roe, shrimp, crabmeat and fresh salmon (priced $3-$4). Of course, there are standard rolls comma such as California and spicy tuna (average and SPICY!). For a real adventure try the specialty rolls (priced $3-$8 for four to eight pieces) such as the Macomb Roll and the Bomb Roll. You will not be disappointed! The Macomb Roll is an excellent combination of cooked snapper on top of a California roll covered with scallions, sesame seeds and an incredibly delicious eel sauce. Sweet, spicy, crunchy and smooth -- this roll has everything!

With a full bar, prompt service and friendly staff, Sushi Sushi is a hidden gem!

Sushi Sushi, located at 3714 Macomb Street, N.W., 202-686-2015, is one of two locations. The original can be found in Bethesda. www.sushisushidc.com

Open Monday-Thursday: Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Dinner 5- 10 pm.; Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. -11 p.m.; Sunday: 11a.m. -10 p.m.

Contact Us