Zentan

www.zentanrestaurant.com
1155 14th Street NW,
Washington, DC 20005

We walked through famed Dupont Circle to get to The Donovan House, where superstar Chef Susur Lee has placed his inventive Asian style restaurant, Zentan.  Having watched him make it to the season finale of Top Chef Masters (Season 2), I knew this would be a great choice for our last meal before heading back to Atlanta.  The restaurant has its own unique feel; an upscale sushi bar, casual family-style eating tables, and the plethora of candles give a warm Asian feeling, almost 'Zen'-like.

This feeling of weightlessness quickly faded when we gawked at the menu and had no idea what to order.  Sake or Beer?  Appetizers or Sides?  Sushi or Entrees?  After some thought, and help from the Maitre D, we decided on a little bit of everything!  We got a couple Sapporos and some hot sake (which Katy hated), followed by a Sushi Roll.  I'm not one to crave sushi, but things can change, especially after splitting the 10 pieces of spicy tuna, smoked eel, and avocado, known as the Fire Dragon.

Already a bit overwhelmed from how much sushi we ate, we still had to make room for our appetizer, side, and BOTH entrees.  But we did it.  The summer roll consisted of raw chopped vegetables and bits of fresh mango wrapped in rice paper...cool, clean, and rejuvenating.  Our entrees were presented with perfection, each plate showcased the highlights of the salmon and black cod.  Both meals were exquisite and of course we sided them with our favorite, brussels sprouts.  After having the Mediterranean inspired dish two nights earlier we had to compare their differences.  No clear winner.  At Zentan they are roasted large, still vividly green, and treading in soy sauce so delicious that you pray it creeps to everything else on your plate.

Susur Lee does not disappoint, every aspect of this restaurant is worth detailing and revisiting.  When you get to DC, plan to eat Asian and you will quickly find out why he is considered one of the best.