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Hi Marty, Fear was not my goal so I'll probably go back and do a revision. By generous proportions I was intending to convey the distinction between Sakana and several places I have visited, ordered a sushi or sashimi plate and questioned what I just paid $12.50 for when the bill came. The nigiri is very balanced, so I wouldn't worry about monster pieces of fish hanging off of your rice. Some of the other roll titles that frightened you illustrate the creativity that the chef's put into their work. Depending on your interests, you can get very traditional sushi or, if you're feeling adventurous, some newer, innovative tastes. The prices are very reasonable (probably somewhere in between Sushi Taro and Koto. My wife and I got out for around $42 w/tip, including 2 x miso, 1 x seaweed, sashimi deluxe plate, a few pieces of nigiri (a la carte) and 2 scoops of red bean ice cream. All of this is making me hungry... Well, best of luck and let me know what you think after you make it out there.

Have you had sushi in downtown Tokyo? ...me neither. Have you been to a dozen sushi restaurants in the DC Metro area looking for the best around...me too. Sakana Sushi in Vienna, VA (not to be confused with the Sakana Japanese Cafe in DC) serves the same quality of fish that they do in downtown Tokyo ...that is, the downtown Tokyo in HEAVEN! I jest (without intending any offense to the religious-minded fresh fish fiends reading this) but I'm serious - I've been to nearly every popular, Washingtonian-recommended, sushi spot in DC and haven't found a single one that can hold a flame to Sakana Sushi. The fish is incredibly fresh, the proportions extremely generous and the rolls as unique as they are delicious. Nestled in the middle of a row of retail shops and restaurants just off of Maple Ave sits this quaint, unassuming piece of paradise where you feel at home the moment you step in the door (parking is in the rear). The family that owns and operates (hostess to sushi chef and everything in between) Sakana are some of the nicest, accommodating and hardworking people you will ever meet. You'll be greeted in traditional Japanese fashion when you arrive with your choice of tables in multiples of two or a roomy, L-shaped sushi bar. A seat at the pristine, refrigerated case-lined bar will grant you an immediate bow and friendly introduction from Ken or Simon. This is the part where you come to the realization that there is only a quarter inch of glass between you and some of the finest filets of fresh fish you have ever seen and will ever taste. Proper menus are provided along with an a la carte sushi sheet. One look at both of these and it's patently obvious that you're not at the run of the mill sushi restaurant. You'll notice several rolls that you've never heard of before and with descriptions that leave the mind (and stomach!) anxious. Now, pick your druthers and let the show (and the suspense) begin. These chefs' work is borderline art ...but the kind of art that you can't wait to pick up your wooden finger-extensions and dive, mouth-wide-open into. On a typical night you'll hear soft reggae or traditional Asian tunes playing over the sound system, providing a positive, relaxed atmosphere - perfect for a date night with your man/lady-friend or group dinner spot before going out elsewhere. With the quality of fish, service and artistry concentrated at Sakana you always walk out (or in my case waddle out, due to my tendency to consistently exceed the Salmon intake for any single human being in one sitting... every sitting) feeling like you got a WAY better deal than you expected. My recommendation (aside from asking Ken to keep serving you random items of his choice until you fall out of your chair) include: Sashimi Deluxe Bubba roll (off menu) Spicy Tuna cream puff Barber Pole Roll 1/2 carafe of the House White wine Great value and exceptional quality aren't commonly two phrases you hear in conjunction with each other in the world of sushi restaurants, but Sakana Sushi has achieved the perfect storm here. You will not be disappointed ..that is, until you get to downtown Tokyo (in Japan or in HEAVEN) and realize that Vienna, VA had better sushi. Enjoy!!

I agree with the posting about Sushi Yama, but if you like sushi and live in / around / near Vienna - you should check out Sakana Sushi (just down the road on Maple Ave - #128). Familiar faces, excellent fish and a great relaxed atmosphere. Don, if you enjoyed SY, you should give Sakana a look. You won't be disappointed. Best, Dan

I'm really bummed about our experience, seeing that others had pleasant visits. Although given all of the mixed reviews we've heard/read since our dinner, there's not enough to make me go back... My wife and I look forward to going on “date nights” so we were delighted to attend a local eatery close to home that we heard (from one couple) had good food. When we arrived at Idylwood, we were seated downstairs near the wine bar area with one other table occupied next to us by a couple halfway through their meal. Since this was date night we planned on enjoying a slow 4-course meal with a bottle of wine. Roughly 20 minutes later, we were the only occupied table downstairs, and as our main course arrives, guests who were obviously friends and family of the owner start arriving at the wine bar are with gifts for a child’s party. Awkward moment #1 By the time we finished the main course it was quite uncomfortable as the owner and all his friends and family were making it obvious that they were waiting on us to leave so they could begin their celebration. Knowing that we were staying for dessert, my wife kindly asked our waiter if we needed to move to a table upstairs so the owner could commence with his party. Our waiter said “No, you were here first”. I felt a little more comfortable knowing that we were welcome to stay and finish our dinner. However, right as we order dessert the owner starts moving all the tables around us into one connected table and stops just short of our table since we are still there. Awkward moment #2. After this, he begins to dust the tables and wait impatiently at the back of my wife's chair. All of his guests were glaring at us to hurry up, finish & leave. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My wife was so uncomfortable and angry that she got up to leave as soon as she finished her dessert. I stayed inside and paid the bill. On my way out I pulled the owner aside and politely recommended “It would have been a better idea to seat us upstairs or ask us to move, if you knew there was a party coming”. The owner replied “We sat you at 7pm, and the party wasn’t starting until 8:30pm”. I am a very reasonable man and understand what folks in the food service industry deal with on a daily basis, but this was getting absurd. At the time of his comment, it was only 8:20pm and this debacle had been going on since at least the turn of the hour. I was nearly speachless... nearly: I indicated to the owner that we were not pleased with our experience and based on that we would probably not be returning to give it another chance, to which the owner replies “Okay.” Clearly this was an irrational situation that was not going to be rectified. I simply said goodnight to the owner, waiter (who was exceptional!) and hostest on my way to the car. What a horrible and disrespectful proprietor! He didn’t apologize…and had no problem losing our future business! We had actually heard similar stories of poor customer service from two other couples, but wanted to judge the food and experience on our own due to the convenience of its location. Unfortunately, we will never go back, my wife would just assume eat fast food. For as expensive as their food is and the 200% mark up on their wine it is not worth enduring the absence of customer service – such a shame!