Sei

Trend setters need to venture to this new eatery on 7th in Penn Quarter.  Sei, pronounced Say, just opened a few weeks ago, taking the sushi chef from Perry's and creating a chic downtown sushi and small plates restaurant.  Where the menu is short on food choice, the options for sake abound.  I however opted for a Pear sangria, thinking if I'm going to be at the new 'it' place, I need to drink their 'it' drink.  The chef's special sushi menu had many interesting options, the best of which that I ate was the fish and chips role, filling flounder in a role topped with thin, crisp french fries and a side of wasabi tartar creating a nice juxtaposition in both flavor and texture.  If you don't like sushi, there is also a small plates menu.  I didn't try anything on it, but the foie gras role looked interesting.  The disappointment of the night was the crunchy shrimp role.  While this dish would have sufficed at any less posh place, the "fried" tasted old.  Chef Yasutake, change your oil!  The Ambiance in this place kept the night flowing.  Don't come if you're sensitive to a loud place.  While we were able to carry on a decent conversation, the decibels were not for the faint of heart.  While for most places, that means it's lively enough and people are having fun.  However had our table for 2 been a larger party, I don't think I would have been able to hear the conversation.  The decor is fab-chic in all white with gold-leafed plaster fleur de les all over certain walls and bold red reeds breaking the space up.  Like Rasika around the corner, this place ads to the growing list of fashionable ethnic dining in a booming Penn Quarter, with my recommendation.