Restaurant Review
Maneki Neko: ‘Gem in the Rough’

By Nick Farstad (December 8, 2006)

Maneki Neko, Japanese Cuisine
238 W. Broad Street, Falls Church, VA

If you’re just passing by, you probably wouldn’t spare this small restaurant a second glance. Crushed tightly between two other buildings, it’s small and hard to notice. But if you stop to take a look in a window or step inside for a glance you’ll surely think twice before passing this off as an ordinary, run of the mill restaurant. One of the few authentic Japanese restaurants in the area, it is surely a gem hidden in the rough.

As you step into the building, your senses are immediately stimulated. The pleasant and intoxicating smells of roasting meats, a myriad of vegetables being prepared in a number of ways, and an assortment of spices waft to you from the nearby kitchen. The design and lighting of the room are both aesthetically pleasing and contribute greatly to the ambiance of the place. Japanese lanterns hanging throughout the room provide effective, soft lighting and are a wonderful compliment to the atmosphere of your dining experience. In the doorway leading to the main section of the eating area are multiple strings of beads hanging from the top of the doorway. Though I don’t think this has any cultural connection, it is still a nice touch.

The kitchen extends within your sight from the table, allowing you to see some of your food being prepared if you wish. The waitress is very friendly and hospitable, checking in frequently to check if you might need anything.

The food was powerful and succulent, ranging from a variety of meats, sushi, soups and other Japanese-style dishes. Many of the dishes are accompanied with a small bowl of dipping sauce specific to your dish. One thing to be careful of when eating here is that unless you have a strong familiarity with Japanese culture or food, you may not understand exactly what some of the dishes are. But if asked, the waitress will surely do her best to explain what kind of taste to expect from what kind of dish, though if you’re the impulsive type, just pick a dish and find out for yourself.

The prices range from $5.95 to $17.95 for the main dishes and from $0.95 to $5.95 for appetizers, making for an easily affordable meal, or if you’re willing to pay a bit more, a sumptuous, if somewhat pricey meal. Also, this restaurant is a boon for any sushi lover, both for the extensive range of sushi and for the easily affordable prices. Anything from the basic cucumber rolls to the more exotic dishes like salmon and octopus, with a variety of other fish in between. As if that wasn’t enough, if you really want a good deal, or just feel the need to gorge yourself on sushi, make sure to stop by on Monday night, when you can get any piece of sushi for only $1 a piece, or certain platters for only $5.

Maneki Neko is an interesting restaurant that is a must for any who loves Asian food or are just looking to try something new. The atmosphere is both pleasing and authentic, and the prices are reasonable. The restaurant is a little lacking in space though, also, some of the foods can be a little bit confusing and the tastes can be rather overpowering at times. Nevertheless, it’s a great restaurant for those looking to try something new and exciting.