Rock and Sushi Rolls

Perhaps the quietest thing about Sushi Rock was its launch. Courthouse’s new sushi bar welcomed its first paying customers last night amid little fanfare. No signs, no balloons, no screaming radio DJs at folding tables outside. At 5:45 p.m. it was just a bunch of marketing people on laptops finalizing the menu, a reporter, and one curious couple with their baby.

The promised non-stop rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack hadn’t even started yet.

But there’s little doubt that Sushi Rock will soon host hoards of latest-greatest-thing-seeking patrons. The owners — the same folks behind the perpetually-crowded Public Bar in the District — certainly think so. The only question that remains is: will the neighbors mind?

Sushi Rock takes over its space at 1900 Clarendon Blvd from Chinese-Peruvian fusion restaurant Yaku, which closed a few months ago.

We’re told Yaku wasn’t a huge hit with residents in the adjoining Odyssey condominiums. Some condo owners complained about the noise coming from Yaku’s customers. Between the rock music and the planned outdoor seating (still pending county approval), Sushi Rock may face some of the same scrutiny.

But management hopes that Sushi Rock’s hip, upscale atmosphere will help add value to the neighborhood, which is a bit of a no-man’s-land — down the hill from Courthouse but up the hill from Rosslyn. And in case that value proposition fails, Sushi Rock is also offering 20% off to Odyssey residents.

More photos and details on Sushi Rock’s menu and hours, after the jump.

Sushi Rock’s loud, outlandish interior and eclectic theme is complemented by its loud, outlandish and eclectic food and cocktail offerings.

The menu is chock full of rock-inspired names.

There’s the “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” cocktail (sake, lime juice, sweet and sour, peach schnapps, salted rim), the “Zeppelin” appetizer (spicy kobe dumpling with schicimi ponzu sauce), the “Light My Fire” specialty roll (panko encrusted shrimp, spicy tuna, cilantro, jalapeno spicy sauce) and the “Hendrix” entree (fresh Atlantic salmon with coconut rice and teriyaki sauce).

Finally, for dessert, there’s the “Welcome to the Jungle” (tropical fruit spring roll with vanilla ice cream and fresh berry coulis) or the “Paradise City” (ginger creme brulee and fresh berries).

And that’s just to name a few.

Beer selections include Kirin Ichiban, Blue Moon, Miller Lite and Sam Summer Ale on tap and Heineken, Asahi and Sapporo among the bottles. Acclaimed Japanese microbrew Hitachino will soon be added to the bottle lineup.

Sushi Rock will be open from 5:00 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and from 5:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Food will be served until an hour before close.

A happy hour, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., will feature $6 specialty cocktails (discounted from the normal $10) and a yet-to-be-determined special on classic sushi rolls (California roll, spicy tuna roll, cucumber roll, etc). The happy hour deals go into effect on April 12.

Sushi Rock’s phone number is 571-312-8027.