Issho Izakaya & Sushi - All You Can Eat — Restaurant in Annandale

We often passed by this area and were delighted to see it finally open, so we decided to visit for lunch. We were thoroughly impressed with the quality of the food, which was perfect for a chilly winter day.

The Appetizer Sampler included Pickled Tomatoes, Garlic Cucumbers, Mushidori, and Spinachi Gomae. Although the portions were small, they provided a delightful start to our meal, allowing us to savor various flavors. The Assorted Tempura was freshly prepared and had a satisfying crunch, featuring an assortment of vegetables, prawns, and squid, making it perfect for sharing before the main course.

The Seafood Nabe (Kaisen) contained five shrimp, two scallops, cabbage, onion, scallions, shiitake mushrooms, and organic tofu, and all served in a rich, savory broth made by the chef. This dish was incredibly comforting for cold weather, and we appreciated that it was prepared without MSG, enhancing its superb taste. Our server brought it out on a table warmer, allowing us to enjoy it hot throughout our meal, which we thought was thoughtful.

The Garlic Bomber Rice was flavorful and packed with a robust garlic taste. It included BBQ pork, fish cake, egg, onions, scallions, serrano pepper, and garlic chips, and it was finished with cilantro and lime for a refreshing citrus note.

We were particularly impressed with the outstanding service; the staff displayed excellent hospitality throughout our dining experience, making this restaurant stand out from others in the area. The ambiance in the main dining hall was minimalistic, with thoughtful details such as buckles on the leather seats enhancing the atmosphere. Numerous private rooms were available, adorned with vibrant wall graphics, and a Japanese cherry blossom tree by the entrance added to the charm. Additionally, the restaurant offered rice wine packages, reflecting its identity as an Izakaya, a casual Japanese pub or tavern serving drinks and food. We also noted that they provide sushi and sashimi prepared by a skilled Japanese chef, and we look forward to trying these fresh...

What a cute new sushi place. We made a reservation earlier in the week just in case it would be busy. Considering they are fairly new, it wasn't too bad. I checked in at the host stand and told them I would wait for the rest of my dinner party to show up before being seated. They had a sitting area to wait. Spacious and cute. I could see a private room with a party inside. Good to know. Once my party arrived we were quickly seated. I don't recall looking at the menu. But usually when dining with my sisters I rarely ever need to. I let them do all the ordering. We usually get a pretty decent amount of dishes to all have a try. Usually more than we can all actually eat but who really complains about that. Service was great. I think I heard her make some drink recommendations to my sister. Everything we ordered was delicious. The presentation was beautiful. The sashimi and sushi was fresh. The fried chicken was flavorful and still tender and juicy. The soup that we ordered was really good. Meaty flavor packed broth filled with meat, veggies and came out piping hot. Will definitely be coming back here to try other things on the menu since I never really looked at it. We had so much food we had to pack some to take home. Mostly meat skewers, some chicken and I think either squid or octopus balls. My son gave it a thumbs up since I dont usually eat left overs. I tend to forget they're in the fridge. I never really even got a chance to look at the bill either. I just heard my sister say not too bad. And considering how we order and how often we eat out to try new places. I going to guess probably 100 per person and that's probably a give.. my guess probably more like a take off...

While the service at this newly opened izakaya was friendly, the food and overall dining experience fell short of expectations.

Despite its newness, the restaurant already felt aged. The air was stale and greasy, with a persistent fishy odor that created an unappealing atmosphere. The decor and finishes lacked authenticity and cultural nuance, almost feeling out-of-place, resembling a generic interpretation of a Japanese izakaya and felt more like a concept than a thoughtfully-designed space.

we received a complimentary miso soup, but unfortunately, it was overly dark and excessively salty, setting a poor tone for the meal. For my main course, I tried the Salmon Lover Lunch Special, which included three salmon nigiri, a salmon maki roll, and a salmon temaki roll. The salmon itself was high quality—tender, buttery, and flavorful—but the rice was cold, dry, and overly sour. This imbalance disrupted the harmony of the dish, making it difficult to enjoy the maki and temaki rolls as well.

I also sampled the Truffle Udon, which sounded promising but ultimately missed the mark. The fish roe and cheese overwhelmed the dish, overshadowing the truffle sauce and resulting in a disjointed and overly heavy flavor profile. It’s not a dish I would recommend.

Overall, this izakaya struggled to deliver an authentic or satisfying dining experience. While the fish quality and friendly service were highlights, they couldn’t make up for the stale ambiance, uninspired decor, and inconsistent food. I would not return, but for those curious about a Japanese-inspired option in Annandale’s heavily Korean-dominated dining scene, it might still be...