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SEI restaurant & lounge, Washington, DC

SEI restaurant & lounge

4.4
4.4
2357 Reviews
$30 and under
Asian
Modern Asian small plate cuisine from award winning Sushi Master Noriaki Yasutake. The intimate space, located next to the Landsburgh Theater, features seating for 70, sushi bar seating 10 and a cozy lounge area. Yasutake offers his modern spin on traditional sushi, specialty rolls and Asian fare. SEI offers an outstanding Happy Hour with crafted cocktail & sushi specials everyday of the week from 5pm-8pm.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Sushi, Contemporary Asian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 3:00pm Brunch:Saturday 11am - 2:30pmSunday 11am - 3pmDinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm Friday: 3:00pm - 11pm Saturday: 3pm - 11pm Sunday: 3pm - 9:00pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 783-7007
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Noriyaki Yasutake
  • Catering
    Creative Sushi Platters<br />Bento Boxes<br />Kobe & Salmon Slider Platters<br />Bibimbap, Salmon, Tofu Rice Bowls<br />Drop Off Lunches
  • Private party facilities
    Let SEI restaurant & lounge assist you with your next special event . It will be our pleasure to help you coordinate all of the essential elements to create an unforgettable affair.
  • Private party contact
    Shannon Paretzky: (202) 783-7007
  • Neighborhood
    Penn Quarter
  • Cross street
    7th & E
  • Parking details
    Street Parking <br />Parking Garages
  • Public transit
    Navy Archives Green Line
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 2,357 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.4
4.4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

2,357 Reviews
  1. MaeveS

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 15, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    The restaurant had closed down before we arrived. We we’re very disappointed that we weren’t notified.

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  2. Dcling

    Washington DC

    96 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on June 7, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    food and service are always great. We had two different bento boxes and both were great. Also had the watermelon drink that I could drink a gallon of.

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  3. DavidB

    Washington DC

    12 reviews

    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2019

    overall3food4service2ambience5
    They were having an "off" night but the wait staff was still very professional and the reservation taker terrific.

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  4. MelissaF

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food and the service are excellent! We will be back.

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  5. BFunk

    Washington DC

    61 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on June 1, 2019

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Sri is our go to place for sushi rolls! They have the best. Unfortunately the owners allowed the liquor license to expire which has turned us away for the last could of months. You are also not allowed to bring your own bottle (wine). The whole vibe of the place is significantly different now. Hopefully everything will be back up to par when we visit again.

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 1, 2019

    overall2food4service4ambience3
    No Alcohol. Feels like 3 yrs old

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  7. StefanL

    Richmond

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 31, 2019

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    Overpriced and bland, sub par quality food. Waste of money

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  8. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 31, 2019

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Incredibly fresh high quality sushi—which is the only thing that really matters at a sushi restaurant. Hearty miso soup with lots of mushrooms and tofu was a great twist on the more usual higher broth content. Excellent service when engaged, but at times somewhat inattentive to whether something was needed like a drink refill.

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  9. ChristineE

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Terrific food, service, ambiance and reasonable price!

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  10. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 26, 2019

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Small portions for the price

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  11. Costis

    Washington DC

    27 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2019

    overall2food1service2ambience2
    SEI was one of our favorite Pen Quarter restaurants; waiters always super attentive, food expertly prepared and impeccable. Something has happened, and the experience we had was absolutely not memorable. Perhaps because of the holiday, the staffing was not up to par, and the chef was off enjoying Memorial Day elsewhere. But to those who wanted to enjoy the traditionally excellent SEI cuisine, there was disappointment to go around.. I hope this was a one-off hiccup

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  12. YuchenZ

    Pittsburgh

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2019

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    The menu is a collection of Japanese, Korean, and Mexican food. Fusion but not a lot of innovation. Beef bibimbap was bland.

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  13. Dcling

    Washington DC

    96 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    96 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great dinner. I had the kale salad (the only place I eat kale, suchi, and sea bass. My friend also had a rice bowl. Everything was great as were the refreshing watermelon and strawberry drinks.

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  14. Currysauce

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2019

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    I thought it was really loud in the full dining room at lunch. I would prefer better sound absorption and a slightly quieter atmosphere. I thought the service was spectacular though so one might almost be able to disregard the noise level.

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  15. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2019

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    They have lost their liquor license, which was a bit disappointing because they have a great cocktail menu.

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  16. Trenya

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service and attention to detail with an inventive menu. They were very good with the need for gluten free selections, having a complete gf menu as well as information on whether other items from the full menu could be adapted to be gf.

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  17. WorkingGourmet

    Washington DC

    26 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on May 16, 2019

    overall3food4service4ambience4
    What a surprise to learn, after we were seated, that SEI did not have its liquor license so could not serve alcoholic beverages. Because we had theater tickets, we stayed, not wanting to risk missing dinner. It would have been better customer service if we had been informed before we made our reservation.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2019

    overall4food5service4ambience5
    Great, but they didn’t have any liquor the night we came in which was very disappointing.

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  19. RowerJohn

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Exceptional service and cuisine. The staff went to great lengths to accommodate my specific seating requests. The tables are well spaced, the noise level is perfectly reasonable, the staff are attentive but not intrusive, and the specialty sushi rolls are unforgettable. Spent 2.5 hours over dinner here on a first date and could not have asked for a better place or experience.

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  20. Mary

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    SEI is a great choice for a business lunch. The food is quite good (the Bento box choices at lunch are a nice value) and the service is attentive and prompt. Plus, you can actually carry on a conversation around the table.

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  21. NoVa

    Washington DC

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 4, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    There are a lot of interesting dishes on the menu. We enjoyed sushi, nigiri, and tuna poke, and a chocolate mousse pancake dessert. For some reason the restaurant was not serving alcohol that evening.

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  22. foodie

    Washington DC

    29 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on May 3, 2019

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Interesting variations on tradition sushi. Convenient to theater.

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  23. Ronnie

    Baltimore

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    SEI is a wonderful restaurant and lounge. Our waiter, Alexis, was superb and suggested wine and delectable dishes, and he made the birthday celebration very special. I highly recommend SEI to all my friends.

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  24. GaryK

    Los Angeles

    44 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2019

    overall2food3service2ambience1
    Read the rest of the comments regarding the noise level. Too loud to have a conversation without a raised voice. Service was mediocre at best. Had to flag down the waiter multiple times to get my water refilled.

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  25. Anonymous

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on April 26, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Pre-theatre dinner. Love the service. Food is gorgeous and delicious! Bonus - gluten free menu and gf soy sauce! Love it!

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 25, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great time!

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  27. SWhite

    Washington DC

    63 reviews

    5.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dinner before heading to the Shakespeare Langsburgh Theater to see Oslo. We walked in and were seated as I made the reservation and the host was most gracious. Our waiter took the time to ensure we knew the specials for the day and to answer our questions about the menu. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the Penn Quarter area. We were in/out in time to not only have a cocktail in the theater lounge but to be in our seats and ready to go for the 1930 curtain....can't wait to go back again in the future.

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  28. AshleyC

    Washington DC

    26 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2019

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    Very chic space! Food was great. Went during Happy Hour and they had great selections! Definitely recommend the fish and shrimp tacos.

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  29. Food13

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2019

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    This restaurant is beautiful but too noisy! I would not go there for any type of meeting. My guest and I were screaming to hear each other. Also, the food was a bit slow coming out.

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  30. JrGIBBS

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    SEI May be the best place for sushi in Dc. Many unique and different choices. They go above and beyond with service - for instance, we had a party of 6 and paid the bill and the manager tracked us down on the street and told us gratuity was included - so we could remove the extra tip of the check. Not many places would do that. Highly recommend.

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  31. Maggie

    Washington DC

    27 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2019

    overall3food2service3ambience3
    Louder than usual. This is one of my favorite places to dine. I was disappointed with my shrimp burgers which i have been eating for sometime now. It was not good at all. It was rubbery/chewy and not as crispy. The lunch took along time to be served. The waiter was great!

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  32. OpenTable Diner

    Greater Boston

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such nicely prepared food and drinks. Delicious and creative, highly recommend!

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  33. ELAINE

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2019

    overall2food2service5ambience4
    the environment of restaurant is very nice, the washroom is super clean! The waiter / waitress are friendly. But the food is taste normal and the portion are weight too small(I’m a girl) we had to find another restaurant after this however we alrdy spent 130 usd there! And we didn’t order any expensive fish or meat, Norma food expensive price and super small portion. Others are 10 out of 10.

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  34. OpenTable Diner

    Cleveland

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and experience. The only downside would be that the restaurant was quite loud but that shows it was a busy, energetic night. Luckily we had a table on the wall which gave us a bit of privacy as a group of two. I would definitely recommend to others.

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  35. GUNNARM

    Dallas

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2019

    overall3food3service5ambience3
    Too noisy!! Great service

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  36. desicakes

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 18, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    The only thing I did not love was how loud it was. Hard to even have a conversation at your dinner table, but otherwise the food was inventive and delicious, decor was very cool. Service was good.

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  37. PamelaP

    New York Area

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on April 14, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were in town to celebrate two birthdays! The service was amazing!! We ordered the salmon truffle nigiri and the Hamachi with fried ginger/ smoked.... They were out of this world!! Also loved the poke roll! The kids loved the homemade crushed strawberry soda. Then to our delight, our lovely server surprised us with two bday cakes for the boys and a lovely ginger sangria for me!!! Thank you for a wonderful treat!!!

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  38. JosephP

    Greater Boston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 13, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    the best sushi within a minimum of a 100 mile radius!

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 13, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was wonderful. The fish and chips roll is my favorite.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2019

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Ok. A bit too noisy

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FAQs

SEI restaurant & lounge is rated 4.4 stars by 2357 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing
Google Map for SEI restaurant & lounge

444 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004

Additional information

  • Cross street
    7th & E
  • Neighborhood
    Penn Quarter
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch: Monday - Friday: 11:30am - 3:00pm Brunch:Saturday 11am - 2:30pmSunday 11am - 3pmDinner: Monday - Thursday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm Friday: 3:00pm - 11pm Saturday: 3pm - 11pm Sunday: 3pm - 9:00pm
  • Cuisines
    Asian, Sushi, Contemporary Asian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking <br />Parking Garages
  • Public transit
    Navy Archives Green Line
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Noriyaki Yasutake
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (202) 783-7007
  • Catering
    Creative Sushi Platters<br />Bento Boxes<br />Kobe & Salmon Slider Platters<br />Bibimbap, Salmon, Tofu Rice Bowls<br />Drop Off Lunches
  • Private party facilities
    Let SEI restaurant & lounge assist you with your next special event . It will be our pleasure to help you coordinate all of the essential elements to create an unforgettable affair.
  • Private party contact
    Shannon Paretzky: (202) 783-7007
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