KAYU — Restaurant in Washington

My friend told me about Chef Paolo and this spot. If you were a fan of the legendary Bad Saint restaurant, Chef Paolo was a product of the magical kitchen!

AMBIANCE: Parking: Street parking. It can get busy so be sure to come early, ride share, or do public transportation.

Seating: I came here on a Friday and things started to get popping in the later evening so be sure to RSVP.

Feels: I'm not too familiar with DC but it's about a 15-minute drive from the National Mall. The place is a mix of houses and restaurants. The spot itself is dimmed for a nice intimate vibe. I liked how it's clean with scattered decor of Filipino art/culture from the baskets to the paintings. They even had a good mix of Filipino music and pop music. Great place for date night or a food adventure.

FOOD: Salo Salo Experience (4 Courses) Cassava cake (Recommend) Not your usual cassava (like flour) cake that's usually sweet. A nice soft texture that was fluffy with savory flavors such as crab fat, mangalista lardo (pig) and was topped with smoked trout roe.

Maryland Crab Crake Crepe (Recommend) A nice soft and warm omelet with good flavors of egg gribiche (mayo), crab, and other greens. I enjoyed the southeast flavors of toned pungent fish sauce.

Tocino Aged Pork Chop (Recommend) This is a bit of an additional cost to the Salo Salo Experience but it was fulfilling and worth it. The rice was delicious and had pleasant flavors of garlic. The boiled egg gave it a nice umami kick to it. The pork chop was delicious. I got a good balance of meat and fat that was well sauced and juicy. I love the sweetness of the tocino and pineapple. I believe I got daing (fried fish) or fried pig crisps added to it which added a good mix to the flavor. Mixed with some lychee and mint, the greens were a delight!

Malted Tcho Chocolate (Recommend) For something more familiar, can't go wrong with chocolate. Thick, soft, and sweet cocoa ice cream with popcorn for a good crunch and dolce de leche for another level of sweetness.

Melon Ranger (Recommend) For those looking to drink, this is a good sweet choice. A mix of coconut rum, melon, condensed milk, and madeira! You're in for a delight.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: I can't remember their names but Bruno and crew were all great people!

TL; DR OVERALL: 5 Stars. Good food, fair prices for delicious elevated flavors, and all in all a pleasant experience. There are some great Filipino delights here in DC just like Purple Patch! What made this stand out is their elevated menu, so if you're looking for something different, this is the way to go. Thank you, Chef Paolo and team. I wish you all the best! #FilipinoFoodMovement

TIPS: Check out their morning delights next door, Hiraya (available morning and afternoon) Ask them for their...

I realized right before we arrived that I had been here the year before when it was called Hiraya (and learned they rebranded as KAYU to distinguish themselves from Hiraya Cafe). My experience at Hiraya that night last summer was middling, but this evening was exceptional. Really no misfires, just a couple of underwhelming items and everything else was epic.

I highly recommend the 3-course prix fixe menu if you're a group of 4 or 5 people. It will basically allow you to share almost every item on the menu.

We had the following items:

Appetizers: Wild Mushroom Dumpling, chili crunch, mushroom lea. cilantro - one of the underwhelming items, it was good but not too much punch in terms of flavor

Cassava Cake, crab fat, lardo, smoked trout roe - absurdly good, taste explosion..

Smoked Longganisa, stewed chickpeas. salsa verde, cilantro - the most delicious version of this sausage I've ever had

Dinuguan. foie gras, pork jowl. long pepper, steamed rice cakes - my gosh, this was another taste explosion. Almost a smoky mole flavor in the sauce.

Entrees:

Humba, crisy porkbelly, bok choy. crispy lentils - I wasn't a fan, the skin was crisp but the pork belly would have benefited from being grilled more.

Sisig. sizzling tofu & mushroom, pepper relish. farm egg - this was tasty but I missed that this was a vegetarian version, no pork so we were a bit disappointed.

Pato Tim. aged duck breast. golden beets. mandarin - one of the absolute standouts. The most tender and succulent duck, and the sauce was just decadent.

Kare Kare, crispy oxtail, roasted & burnt eggplant, pili nui - very much enjoyed this dish as well, and eggplant added both complementary texture and flavor to the dish.

Desserts:

Malted S'mores, Icho chocolate, durian ice cream. marshmallow - we had two of these and were thankful we did, just an epic tour de force.

Suman Morong, macadamia. glutinous rice, coconut curd - indulgent in a whole different way. One of my favorites ever.

Maja Blanca, corn custard, sweet corn marmalade, smoked - sweet, sweet corn flavor. Very delicate.

Cocktails were excellent as well.

Service was polished, warm and...

I think Kayu is going to be H street’s comeback! It offers an immersive culinary experience that blends authentic flavors with a contemporary, hip twist. From the moment we stepped inside, we were charmed by its warm, cozy ambiance. Ideal for date nights or special celebrations, the restaurant radiates a sense of intimate charm that instantly draws you in.

We opted for the “salo-salo” four-course menu, a delightful little journey celebrating the rich flavors of Filipino cuisine. Each dish was a harmonious blend of bold, authentic flavors and thoughtful presentation. The portions were generous and perfect for sharing, which made the experience even more enjoyable. By the end, we were left feeling quite full for a four-course, a win at the price point.

My favorites were the cassava cake, crispy adobong pusit, bicol express and creme brulee crepe.

The service was impeccable, with attentive waitstaff who exhibited an impressive knowledge of the menu, guiding us to excellent choices with ease and enthusiasm. Their genuine passion for the food and culture enriched the overall experience.

Overall, this charming spot masterfully blends tradition with a modern flair, offering an unforgettable Filipino dining experience. Whether you're looking for a fun night out with cocktails or a full, flavorful meal to remember, this place delivers. Highly...