D.C. has its fair share of sushi restaurants, but few have the energy of the newly-opened Sakerum, (2204 14th Street NW) just north of U Street. The Latin-Asian concept fuses together tropical, rum-forward cocktails with an elegant menu of sushi rolls and hot and cold Japanese dishes like tuna poke and grilled octopus. DCist recently stopped by to check out the fresh space and the extensive food and beverage menu.
“Sakerum is dedicated to bringing out the best of both worlds and we think guests will appreciate how thoughtfully we have paired these amazing cultures together with our outstanding food, drinks, and decor,” says owner Stephanos Andreou.
Plan to start your meal with a plate of tuna or white fish ceviche, or perhaps some warm edamame or fried plantain. There’s also roasted unagi don (eel) and steamed pork belly buns. This is primarily a spot for seafood lovers and adventurous eaters, with only a few options for non-fish eaters and several (very normal) vegetarian items.
Of course, sushi is the main attraction here, with most rolls ranging from $15 to $18 apiece. It’s certainly pricey, but the size is right as they’re stuffed with fresh seafood and other ingredients. The inventiveness of the specialty rolls is impressive, as evidenced in the colorful salmon tataki roll ($15), chock full of jumbo lump crab salad, pickled mango, tempura shisho, scorched salmon, lemon, and wasabi.
The most expensive roll is the $42 Mar y Tierra, made with tempura lobster tail and miyazaki wagyu beef. Justin Cho, the restaurant’s general manager, says it’s still to be seen how it will be received by customers.
If Sakerum’s design is any indication, the space will likely attract customers in the mood to splurge. It screams hotspot hangout. The main dining room has an izakaya feel and features comfy booths and a long sushi bar; the second floor is outfitted with another bar as well as a retractable rooftop for year-round mingling.
The roof is the place to be for sake and potent rum cocktails, designed by local mixologist Gina Chersevani (Buffalo & Bergen, Neal Place Tap + Garden). Look for a selection of frozen rum concoctions with additions ranging from Fernet to sparking wine and playful cocktail names like Sex Machine and the Gentle Lady; for a creamy twist, go for the Pirate’s Creed, a blend of rum, coconut, pineapple, yuzu, and nutmeg. There’s also a full sake list too.
Fusion restaurants require a balance that can be difficult to pull off. It’s hard enough to do one thing well, let alone two, let alone two things that aren’t natural pairs. And while it’s still extremely early, signs out of the gate are that Sakerum has the right pieces in place: great drinks, creative food, and a killer ambience—a good fit for the 14th Street restaurant crowd.
