The place is very elegant and aesthetically beautiful. The DJ was really good, the beats were really fluid (1 touch lower volume would have been better). The bar is nice, people are friendly. The bartenders are nice but not pros. Had the espresso martini, no —don’t know what liqueur they’re using but, no, and the French martini, also no —too sweet. The omakase is not an omakase it’s a tasting menu. It was a lot of food (it was tasty but not haute). Too much sauce for classical Japanese. The standouts were the lamb is Excellent (and I make lamb chops, so they get my blessing, they are cooked perfectly and the flavor was a touch heavy but yumyum the salmon teriyaki was also cooked to perfection as a medium rare -nomnom the churros were not warm to the touch (offensive!) but the caramel inside was warm so I got over it quick Overall everything was pretty basic (sorry) and saucy, (which i love on rice but…) they even had an nice orange sauce on another sashimi (gimme rice) This is a good intro to a Japanese menu if you are not familiar with the cuisine and this is your city. But yes I will go chill at the bar there…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Precision is the Name of the Game ​In Japanese, "Shoto" refers to a short sword, symbolizing commitment and precision. It is a bold name to live up to, but after an evening at this DC izakaya, I can confirm: the execution here is razor-sharp. ​The vibe is super chill. It's a perfect blend of high-energy dining and a relaxed lounge atmosphere. ​The Litmus Test: I judge a bar by its Old Fashioned, and SHOTO’s was incredibly smooth. Balanced, cold, and devoid of that harsh bite you get at lesser establishments. It set the tone for the rest of the meal. ​The Culinary Plot Twists: The menu is designed for sharing, but you might find yourself fighting over the SHOTO Tacos. Forget corn or flour; these come in a delicate, homemade potato chip shell. It sounds like a novelty, but the crunch is the perfect counterpoint to the fresh fish. -​The Maguro (Tuna) with yuzu chili miso was vibrant and spicy. -​The Sake (Salmon) with wasabi mayo was rich and creamy. ​From the Fire: You can taste the difference in the grill. They cook over Binchotan (Japanese white oak charcoal), which imparts a clean, smokey flavor you just can't fake. The Negima no yakitori (chicken and scallion) was simple, juicy, and perfect. ​But the heavyweight champion of the night was the Black Cod (Gindara no saikyo-yaki). Marinated in shiro miso, it was buttery, flaky, and dissolved on the tongue. ​SHOTO isn't just dinner; it's a sensory experience. Whether you're there for the robata or just a smooth drink in a great atmosphere, this place cuts through the noise of the DC dining scene. ⚔️🥃

We chose Shōtō D.C to celebrate our anniversary, knowing my husband’s love for wagyu and Japanese whisky, and it absolutely delivered. From the expertly crafted cocktails to the mouthwatering appetizers, sushi, and mains, every dish was a hit. The food comes in hot whenever it is ready from the kitchen. Made it feel like we had food on our table at every given time. Food was so good, I forget to take pictures after our appetizers came in. My husband was so impressed he’s already planning a return visit to explore more of the menu. A perfect blend of elegance and flavor. Shōtō made our special night unforgettable.