I found the following in washingtonpost.com and was wondering if it's
worth a trip there considering the cost of gas these days.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...profile&id=3D=
795146&typeId=3D2&type=3Drestaurants

editorial review:

If it looks like a Japanese restaurant, and sounds like a Japanese
restaurant, is it a Japanese restaurant? That's the question at Atami,
the lone Japanese spot on Clarendon's Vietnamese restaurant strip.
Lurking behind that sushi bar with the illuminated blowfish lamp and
the Japanese pop songs on the tape recorder is a Japanese eatery that's
turning Vietnamese.

Clarendon professionals tired of lemon grass and spring rolls wander
into Atami, as well as sushi fans drawn by its $24.95 all-you-can-eat
special. But you won't see many Japanese here, especially on the staff.

The sunomono vinegared seafood is ample and excellent. But you'd be
happy staying away from the rest of the sushi selection, despite the
low prices. On one recent visit, the tuna was old and mushy and the
rice poorly vinegared and molded. The gyoza pork dumplings taste like
something straight out of Southeast Asia.

Maybe you'd like to try the "special menu" of Vietnamese dishes
instead?

-- Dana Lewis





Average reader rating: (1 review)
Write a review


Excellent Sushi from Viet Nam
Posted by davidkapl on Nov 15, 2004
My wife and I have eaten here, once a month for 15 years. The sushi, of
all varieties is excellent on a par, for example, with Matuba, and "the
all you can eat' is a remarkable bargain. I have watched this
restaurant being badmouthed and found no excuse for it other than,
perhaps, the snobbishness of occidental westerners. I recommend that
people examine this place anew, ignoring the negative reviews that
abound. I suggest that you will find good sushi at a good price. One
last remark--- the sushi chefs do not wear the cute uniforms so common
in other sushi places. If the usual dress accoutrements are necessary
then you shouldnt bother. If $24.95 for all the sushi you care to eat
including uni, salmon eggs, sweet shrimp, scallops, various
handrollsall with generous portions of fish on the sushi is your
stylethen try the place.