Image: Order everything that sounds good.
Last Updated: June 2023
Overview:
Going on four decades as a mainstay of Adams Morgan, Perry’s has been known for three things, its great rooftop area (despite the precarious stairs), drag brunches, and reliably good sushi. Now, there is a fourth thing. It has an expanded and exciting menu by virtue of hiring Chef Masako Morishita, who has made the fun spot into a serious dining destination.
They are still big on sushi with many options for rolls and individual pieces, or dramatic combination plates. But flip the menu over and things get interesting. Dumplings with edamame and garlic, sprinkled with parmesan, are a delightful bite that if eaten with eyes closed might make you think it is a thin-skinned tortellini off an Italian menu. More traditional is the pork chop katsu, with a deeply colored, thick curry sauce that is spice and salt, crunch and cream. Morishita has been working on this mix of inventive dishes and homey comfort food for years, most recently at Maxwell Park and her own pop-up enterprise Otabe. In a dish like udon noodles with dashi-cured egg and mentaiko (salted cod roe) the approach comes together as soothing and funky all at once. We are the beneficiaries of her having this bigger platform to create and produce. If her IG account is any indication, the ideas are not stopping.
Drinks are key at Perry’s. A decent-sized sake list, a number of Japanese beers, a few wines and lots of cocktails are designed for a group to have a good time. In addition to the rooftop, there is a sizable second-floor dining room with long bar.
Except for a brief New American interlude, Perry’s has stuck with the Japanese theme. Its name comes from Commodore Perry who “opened” Japan to western trading. Its willingness to reboot the menu and bring in new talent from time-to-time is appreciated for a spot that could easily rest on its laurels. We recommend that you do not miss this moment.
Other Guidance: The place is casual. No need to dress up, though a few people may be out for special dinners. GF and V can do okay, but with so much fish options pescatarians do really well. There are stairs up to the main floor, and even more stairs up to the rooftop, and the Post describes the bathrooms as snug.
Summary:
Cuisine: Japanese
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Address: 1811 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009
Website: https://www.perrysam.com/
Reservations: Resy
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: Tom heaped praise on the new chef in a May 2023 review. He also gave it a thumbs up for take-out during covid. He has older reviews, but they are not applicable anymore with the new chef.
Washingtonian: Rooftop guide in 2016. Good bar choice in 2009.
DonRockwell.com – No post since 2012.
Rick Eats DC – An IG post of appreciation.