Chef-partner Katsuya Fukushima’s popular two-story dining establishment has become a notable fixture in Germantown. Located at 707 6th St NW, this restaurant made its debut just before the onset of the pandemic, taking over the space previously occupied by renowned chef Mike Isabella’s Graffiato. Recognized as one of the Eater 38, this eatery has garnered a loyal customer base, renowned for its innovative Japanese interpretations of Italian pasta dishes and Detroit-style pizza.
“We’re immensely proud of what Tonari has accomplished,” Fukushima stated on Tuesday while announcing the restaurant’s impending closure. “We wish for the city to join us in celebrating and to help us close this chapter together.”
Tonari is celebrated for its thick, square pizzas that feature a crust made from premium Hokkaido wheat flour, generously topped with Wisconsin brick cheese. Among the most sought-after varieties is the Mentaiko corn, adorned with pollock roe. The restaurant’s pasta offerings also creatively incorporate Japanese ingredients, with noodles sourced from a Sapporo ramen factory.
In recent years, Tonari transformed from a dinner-only venue into a vibrant all-day restaurant, launching a charming café that offers an exciting array of Japanese-Italian fusion dishes for breakfast and lunch. The ever-innovative Fukushima also introduced a monthly pop-up menu featuring Japanese-influenced cheesesteaks, and recently rolled out onigiri sets for weekend brunch.
The second level of Tonari was designed to evoke the serenity of a moss garden in Kyoto, allowing guests to remove their shoes and dine on the floor. Among its celebrity patrons was Lord of the Rings actor and enthusiastic foodie Elijah Wood, who enjoyed the dessert bar upstairs during his visit to AwesomeCon in D.C. The talented pastry chef, Mary Mendoza, who previously headed the desserts, has recently returned to Centrolina at CityCenter DC.
Tonari consistently attracted patrons for its happy hour specials and affordable dinners, particularly before and after events at nearby Capital One Arena. Currently, Monumental Sports is undertaking renovations of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals’ home, with construction set to begin later this month and continuing through September. This development casts a shadow over local businesses that are typically challenged during the quieter summer months. Earlier this year, the same area saw the closure of Flight Wine Bar after nearly a decade of service.
The Daikaya Group, which includes Chef Fukushima, Yama Jewayni, and Daisuke Utagawa, remains dedicated to the Chinatown community and expresses optimism for its future, as stated in a recent press release. While there are currently no plans for Tonari to reopen, Utagawa remarked, “you never know what opportunities might come our way.”
The group’s D.C. roster—which still includes the adjacent ramen flagship Daikaya and the upstairs izakaya, along with the chicken-focused Bantam King—has seen some contractions in recent years with the closures of Hatoba in Navy Yard and Haikan in Shaw. Ironically, Haikan’s last service date was May 3, 2025.
Looking ahead, Utagawa believes the forthcoming renovations at the arena will ultimately revitalize the Chinatown area. “Overall, it’s a positive development as it will draw more fans and visitors,” he added. The $800-million renovation project is anticipated to be completed in time for the 2027-28 season.
