A casual-chic haven for ramen and donburi, Rondo boasts quick service and a vibrant izakaya atmosphere, perfect for after-work bites and Japanese cocktails.
"Capitol Hill restaurant with a $20 lunch option featuring nine appetizers and a $35 dinner option with either a fish-loaded donburi-style bowl or wagyu Bolognese topped with a slow-cooked poached egg." - Harry Cheadle
"Japanese Izakaya specialist Rondo serves a daily “Hiru-nomi,” or “day drinking” menu from 2 to 5:30 p.m. daily. There are a ton of discounts here, like a $16 Japanese whiskey flight, a $16 bento box, and a $10 special with a Sapporo, sake, and three chef’s choice appetizers." - Harry Cheadle
"This Capitol Hill izakaya serves up “Tokyo Shoyu Ramen,” which is slightly beefy with oxtail meat and oxtail broth but lightened up with fish powder and mizuna. (Don’t worry, there’s also pork chashu in the bowl.) That same oxtail broth forms the base for black garlic tantan ramen spiked with sesame and sansho (a spice similar to Sichuan peppercorns), plus Chinese pickles. Those who want to go soupless can opt for the shoyu-flavored Mazemen." - Jay Friedman
"In the bottom of a condo building on Broadway, this Makoto Kimoto joint is right in the thick of Capitol Hill — but with subtle signage, it’s easy to sail right past it. Rondo’s bigger on the inside, though, with a slick bar, playful decor, and lots of Dragon Quest references. The food is mostly izakaya — Japanese drinking snacks — starring things like succulent pork ribs, Wagyu bolognese over noodles, and Edomae-style sushi, and it’s hard to go wrong on the very entertaining menu. But whatever you order, put a bow on it with the Toki highball soft serve. It’s a simple dish of vanilla ice cream and caramel syrup made from real Toki whisky (so real, they card you when you order it). If you’re in a dessert-only mood, this Suntory sundae is also found at nearby takeout window Baiten, which Kimoto also owns, along with plenty more sweet Japanese treats." - Meg van Huygen, Dylan Joffe, Harry Cheadle
"Rondo is a ramen joint, an izakaya, and purveyor of some of the best happy hour deals in town. So unsurprisingly, it has some A+++ SRW deals. For $20 you get a bento box for lunch with sashimi, fried chicken, wagyu donburi, and grilled kalbi (short ribs). What the fuck? Rondo is also offering a $35 dinner deal that includes bibimbap plus either sashimi or a potato croquette." - Harry Cheadle
