Bethesda 7756 Wisconsin Ave. Tako Grill is not a Mexican restaurant created by a poor speller but an excellent Japanese restaurant. A few years ago Tako Grill doubled its space with no loss in quality. Another room, a sake bar, opened in November.
Small items are a specialty.
One group consists of grilled dishes or robatayaki. Not to be missed are the small grilled whole fish, such as mackerel, sardines, and red mullet, the thumbnail-size baby octopus, and the vegetables, such as grilled garlic, potatoes with butter, mushrooms with ginger sauce, and grilled eggplant. A vegetable combination makes an excellent light and healthful lunch. Another group comprises the high-quality sushi and sashimi. Look for daily specials, such as grilled fish cheeks, which includes the neck and is one of the most succulent parts of the fish.