Agree about the toro, I usually skip it now. I have also tried tro chew my way through a few sinewy pieces. If I didn't live in the neighborhood, I probably would not make it a destination too often either. When they opened, before they made it into the Washingtonian, I would go there and there would be hardly anybody there. It is nice to see the hard work of the sushi chefs and waitstaff (struggling with an empty restaurant in the beginning) pay off.
The walk-to factor always gives an otherwise average place a boost..I think we tend to favor our neighborhood restaurants. I still think the Beatles soundtrack is kitsch, fun and something that is their own. Haven't grown tired of it yet. If i want hi-end, I will go see Nori at SEI, or go to Sushi-Ko. I guess I just appreciate a place that offers up cheap and easy dinner and that is what they do, so I still think it should be evaluated that way. Not saying high-end, but good.
also-for your girls night, get dressed up and go to SEI. I don't know if you've been yet,but the sushi really is fantastic (and that cod dish too..) and it's very chic. But not cheap...