707 6th Street, NW
OK back to playing catch up from what I missed last week. This is a sad. And sadly more, well, sad ones to come…
From a press release:
“After five years, Tonari will close its doors on May 3, 2026, marking the end of a restaurant that brought a distinct and vibrant perspective to Washington’s dining scene.
Since opening in February 2020, Tonari introduced Washington to wafu-Italian cuisine, a style long established in Japan that blends Japanese ingredients and sensibilities with Italian forms. With Detroit-style pizzas made using flour from Japan and pastas produced in a ramen factory in Sapporo using Hokkaido flour, Tonari offered a level of craft and detail that set it apart.
Conceived before the pandemic and opening just weeks before the city shut down, Tonari’s trajectory was shaped by a dramatic shift in daily life. Like many restaurants across Washington, it navigated rising labor, food, and utility costs in the years that followed.
“We’re incredibly proud of what Tonari has been,” says chef and partner Katsuya Fukushima. “It was built to be full of energy, creativity, and joy, and it became a place people returned to again and again. We’re deeply grateful to the community that embraced us.”
From today through its final service on May 3, Daikaya Group invites guests, friends, and longtime supporters back for one last celebration. Diners are encouraged to revisit favorite dishes, gather around the table, and raise a glass to the team and community that brought Tonari to life.
“This is our thank you to Washington,” says Fukushima. “We hope the city will come back, celebrate with us, and help us close this chapter together.”
While Tonari prepares to say goodbye, the team remains committed to Chinatown and optimistic about its future. For now, the focus is on bringing people back in, gathering around the tables, and celebrating Tonari together one last time.
Reservations available at tonaridc.com.”
Updates when we learn what becomes of the space.