D.C.'s Hottest New Sushi Place Debuts in a Familiar Space

Katsumi replaces the short-lived Bar Japonais with a laser-focus on Japanese cuisine and cocktails

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The team behind D.C.'s popular Bar Chinois has transformed the former Bar Japonais space in Logan Circle into a new Japanese restaurant called Katsumi. The new concept features a menu focused on sushi and other Japanese dishes crafted by executive chef Masaaki 'Uchi' Uchino, as well as a bar program highlighting Japanese ingredients and influences.

Why it matters

Katsumi fills a void left by the closure of Nama Ko, a short-lived Japanese restaurant in the same neighborhood, and represents the latest evolution of the Rhythm & Eats group's footprint in the D.C. dining scene. The rebrand and refocus on authentic Japanese cuisine aims to attract a new audience to the space.

The details

Katsumi has a more intimate atmosphere than its predecessor, with half the seating capacity. The menu features traditional Japanese dishes with modern twists, like toro caviar sashimi with cucumber and teriyaki with truffle oil. The bar program also highlights Japanese ingredients, including specialty sakes, cocktails like the Matcha Mood, and the Nitoro Kohi, a Japanese-style espresso martini.

  • Katsumi is set to open for dinner on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
  • Bar Japonais, the previous concept in the space, closed in late 2025.

The players

Katsumi

The new Japanese restaurant replacing the former Bar Japonais in Logan Circle, D.C.

Bar Japonais

The short-lived 'neo-fusion' izakaya concept that previously occupied the space.

Rhythm & Eats

The team behind D.C.'s popular Bar Chinois, which is overseeing the transformation of the space into Katsumi.

Masaaki 'Uchi' Uchino

The executive chef at Katsumi, with credentials from Michelin-starred sushi restaurants like Sushi Nakazawa.

Andra 'AJ' Johnson

The new general manager of Katsumi, a hospitality veteran and 2025 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Cocktail Service.

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What they’re saying

“When we opened Japonais as a French-Japanese concept, we only had a little bit of sushi. We are now focused on just being a Japanese restaurant.”

— Dean Mosones, Partner (Eater)

“We upped the game — a lot of new items are traditional, modern, but unexpected.”

— Dean Mosones, Partner (Eater)

What’s next

Katsumi is set to open for dinner service on Thursday, February 12, 2026, marking the debut of the new Japanese-focused concept in the former Bar Japonais space.

The takeaway

The transformation of Bar Japonais into Katsumi represents the Rhythm & Eats group's continued evolution in the D.C. dining scene, as they pivot to a more authentic Japanese offering to fill a void left by the closure of Nama Ko. The focus on high-quality sushi and Japanese-inspired cocktails aims to attract a new audience to the Logan Circle location.