It has been a long time coming, but we finally have a real Japanese restaurant in the Ashburn area of Loudoun County. I took my family out to dinner last night. Occasion? My daughter’s first birthday. Why Japanese? Hey, she is only one and she doesn’t know the difference. Besides she only cares about breast milk.

Naruto is your typical neighborhood Japanese restaurant with soothing red colored walls supporting traditional Japanese decorations and writings. Staff is friendly and greets you wearing Japanese garments. I expected to be given the usual hot towels to clean our hands, but instead the staff dove right into the menu and drinks orders. We ordered two gigantic Asahi Drys (remember, this is a special occasion), miso soups, a Chicken Teriyaki Box dinner for my son and an ample sampling of sushi including King Crab Roll, Salmon Roe, Salmon Nigiri, Crunchy Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll and Boston Roll. Salmon Nigiri did not taste fresh. Our favorite was the Crunchy Roll.

My son did not finish his Teriyaki Box dinner because chicken was dry. But the real kiss of death for him was the fact that his chicken was served over a bed of grilled onions. So what’s my verdict? Don’t take the kids to Naruto. Sit at the sushi bar and make sure you select fresh looking sushi choices. Try the Crunchy Roll, you’ll love it.

43490 Yukon Dr. Suite #101
Ashburn, VA 20165
703-723-5945
http://www.narutosushi.com