So you're hungry — and you're ready for some Polynesian food. Good news: we've found the freshest spots to satisfy your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for fresh fare from the Pacific ocean.
Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company
1130 Maine Ave., South West
Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company is a tiki bar, distillery and Hawaiian spot. The distillery half of the operation brews Thrasher's Rum, and many of the bar's cocktails are rum-based.
On the menu, you'll find burgers, ramen, flatbreads, sandwiches and more. Try the poke bowl with ahi tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil and nori.
On the drinks side, you'll find beer and wine, plus specialty cocktails like the This Will Make Your Belly Feel Better I Promise with rum and mint bitters, and the Owen the Turtle Disliker with rum and brandy. Check it all out here.
Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company currently holds 3.5 stars out of thirteen reviews on Yelp, indicating fair reviews.
Yelper Kelli J., who reviewed Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company on Dec. 19, said, "Whoever gave this place a bad review must have been there on a really off night. The bar and drinks are fantastic! The roasted chicken comes with three yummy sauces and slider buns!"
And Yelper Kirk B. wrote, "Many of the cocktails on the menu are unique and everyone enjoyed the selection they chose. We ordered four food items —Hawaiian flatbread, tater tots, poke, and Spam musubi. The recommendations from our waitress were helpful and all the dishes were quite tasty."
Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company is open from 3 p.m.–1:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 3 p.m.–midnight on Sunday.
Poke Papa
1919 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Foggy Bottom
Poke Papa is a Hawaiian spot specializing in the eponymous fish salad. It also has a location in Chinatown.
Create your own poke bowl and choose a sauce, such as ginger, wasabi aioli and mango chili lime. Or choose one of the signature bowls like the Lomi Homie with salmon marinated with red onion, tomato, scallion, sea salt and lime juice. You can see the menu here.
Poke Papa's current Yelp rating of five stars out of five reviews indicates positive attention from users.
Yelper Erica L., who reviewed Poke Papa on Dec. 3, wrote, "I prefer it to the nearby poke places because the fish is high quality. The tuna in particular is really well seasoned and flavorful, and the rice is as it should be — like sushi rice, not a mushy, indistinguishable lump. Service is friendly and efficient, and the line moves pretty quickly."
Sharon K. noted, "Awesome spot for poke. Conveniently located near all the Farragut North/West offices and the Foggy Bottom metro for lunch! Great base, protein and topping variety. As someone who likes brown rice for texture, the forbidden purple rice is heavenly."
Poke Papa is open from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. on weekdays. (It's closed on weekends.)
Poki DC
1399 New York Ave. NW, Downtown
Poki DC is a Hawaiian spot, offering poke and more. It has other locations in DC, as well as Maryland and Virginia.
Proteins for the customizable poke bowls include shrimp, chicken, tofu and squid salad. Toppings offered are crab salad, avocado, edamame, pineapple and more. Add a sauce like honey wasabi, sweet strawberry, mango or citrus miso. See the full array here.
Poki DC currently holds 4.5 stars out of ten reviews on Yelp, indicating a warm welcome for the new restaurant.
Yelper Lauren H. wrote, "I love this colorful intimate spot. They have tons of options for your poke bowl. Everything is so fresh and vibrant. Be sure to get some mochi ice cream for dessert! And pro tip, you get a fee mochi ice cream or miso soup when you check in on Yelp."
And Yelper Noelle V L. added, "The portions are extremely generous here and the toppings include a wide variety, with two different seaweed salads as well. The fish tastes fresh and the marinades are not too overpowering."
Poki DC is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m. on Friday, noon–9:30 p.m. on Saturday, and noon–9 p.m. on Sunday.
