by Kelly McKnight
Ville Voice Eats Correspondent

I always feel stupid going in to Asian restaurants mainly because I really am clueless about the cuisine.  When I spotted the Mikato’s bright red signage on the Watterson, I decided to give it a tumble.

The evening began on a happy note when we pulled in I recognized the Mikato as the old location of Mama Grisanti’s and Napa River Grill — both places I’ve enjoyed many fine meals.

Plenty of parking and the lot was free of weeds and debris, also signs of a well-run restaurant. Inside the door, we were welcomed by a delightful hostess named Suni (Sunny?) whose disposition more than matched her name.

Nice interior and there was a koi pond. (I suddenly wondered what kind of fish was on the menu and I counted the koi just in case—never can be too sure, I say.)

There was a short wait so we stopped by the bar.  My wife’s sake was served at the correct temperature (I learned this from a James Bond movie). We were quickly delivered to our table.

Since my Japanese Cuisine IQ is so low, I’m like Stella’s sister in the Glass Menagerie — I must depend on the “kindness of others” and in this case, it was our server.  She helped me order and I ended up selecting the Hibachi-grilled salmon and was I glad I did!

But first things first.  My wife and I shared a calamari appetizer and it was very good—crisp without being oily.  (It was so good, next time I’m tempted to try so some of Mikato’s tempura dishes.)

The main course was preceded by a nice salad and a small bowl of mizo soup.  I really like the ginger-flavored dressing on the salad. To me, mizo soup is mizo soup.

Did I say the salmon was good? Like “budda” it melted in my mouth!  I grill a lot of salmon so I rarely order it when at a restaurant but this time, on a recommendation from our server, I’m glad I did.  Really-really good grilled salmon and it was accompanied by a nice mixed-medley of vegetables and the fried rice had a very nice sauce with it.

My wife loves sushi but my knowledge is limited to “California Roll” and “Spring Roll” so I generally I wait to see what she orders and steal morsels off her plate.  Unfortunately, my wife’s sushi was so good I risked getting a chopstick through my hand so I didn’t get to steal any of it. She thinks she ordered something call a “Volcano” but don’t bet the ranch on it because the sake was kicking in and my wife’s a short-hitter. (She even ate all the green stuff which is probably why she nailed the sake).

My take on the Mikato is it’s really a great place.  Good service, pleasing interior, fair to even low prices, and very, very good food.  If you are hesitant to go to a Japanese-style restaurant because of a lack of familiarity, the Mikato will make you comfortable and help you order.

On my way out, I grabbed a lunch menu and was immediately grabbed by the Mikato Box Lunch — what a great idea.  Choices included chicken-pork-beef and range from $7.95 to $9.95.  Orders over $50 and they deliver.  I’m going to check them out for my next business meeting.

I will definitely visit the Mikato again and soon.  It’s located across from the Village 8 Movie Theatres on Dupont Circle and is open for lunch and dinner.  Hey, cheap movies and a  good Japanese dinner — sound like a deal.