With its frosted glass windows, Oya Restaurant and Lounge has long sparked my curiosity. But it was a friend’s birthday that pulled me there the other night. We were drawn by the Prix Fixe dinner menu, a favored way to sample new restaurants.

From the very moment of walking through the second set of double doors, Oya exudes cool. Candlelight glints off the white tables, and mirrors are hung along the walls to double that lazy glow. In the back of the restaurant, at first glance, was a narrow row of water cascading down the wall. But on closer inspection, it was actually a window into the kitchen. From the kitchen, we were brought a small platter of cream cheese rolls topped with salmon roe and all wrapped up in a crepe. It was a bite-sized bagel and lox, but thankfully a much less-filling bite-size.

True to their website, the menu is subject to change and I was out of luck for the grilled fig salad and orange ginger dressing I had eyed for my first choice. Even so, I was not disappointed by the Tuna Tempura roll served with a seven pepper sauce, interesting because the roll itself was fried.  Inside was a tender piece of tuna and rice wrapped in a barely there layer of seaweed before being lightly fried and plated. And I would love to know what made up the seven pepper sauce, which contained a little amount of heat to further enhance the tuna.

My friends and I arrived at Oya shortly after work and I’d been surprised to find it a little sparse. As one might expect, the patrons frequented the lounge area more than the dining, but by our second course, the room had quickly filled and the chatter picked up. The Chef’s pick of salmon nigiri with spicy California rolls was a classic choice for me, but no less because of that with salmon that melted in my mouth.

Up to the final course, I’d enjoyed an Apricot Royale, a sparkling wine cocktail with the sweet hint of apricot to wind down a hot, DC evening. But for my final course, I was curious about the chocolate wine from a Virginia vineyard, and the chocolate scent swirled up from the glass and it tasted like I sipped chocolate. It wasn’t heavy, like melted chocolate would have been. But the chocolate notes were there, with maybe the faint suggestion of blackberry.

I think the best dessert, at least for presentation, was served to my friend. His chosen strawberry dessert was set in the corner of a stark, white plate, and Happy Birthday scrawled out in syrup with a small candle held at the top. This was by far one of the top birthday dessert presentations I’ve seen.

Oya was a night for a special occasion. Would I go back? Yes, and not just for birthdays. And even better, Oya currently has cocktail hour from 4pm to 8pm, perfectly for lounging. Happy Summer!

OYA
777 9th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001

About the author:
A Texas transplant, Patricia Heatherington is at work on her first novel, in between discovering new restaurants and the joys of living in the District of course. She maintains a blog at patriciaheatherington.blogspot.com about living, and writing, DC.