Sushi in Seattle

[DrKoob]

We are not big sushi eaters as my wife is allergic to fish but we are entertaining friends from NYC who want to know the best place in Seattle for sushi. So please, post your favorites.

[tsquare]

Traditional - Saito (Belltown, but calm)

Non-traditional - Mashiko (West Seattle, a bit funky, an egullet favorite)

High Style - Nishino's (Madison, beautiful, can be expensive)

Also, Chiso (Fremont) and the place in "Tangletown" that I can never remember by name.

You may get some more specific suggestios if you add ambiance, price, or part of town that you desire.

[hhlodesign]

If your friends are fans of Nobu, Nishino trained at Matsuhisa in LA. Nishino is better. Get the omakase. Nishino is the same price as Saito and Shiro's.

I also like Saito.

Edited December 1, 2005 by hhlodesign (log)

[JasonTrue]

Also, Chiso (Fremont) and the place in "Tangletown" that I can never remember by name.

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That's "Kisaku", along Meridian east of Greenlake, about where 55th would be if it weren't tangled up.

[DrKoob]

Thanks for these. Our friends are staying downtown, like classy places and are big spenders.

[tighe]

Thanks for these. Our friends are staying downtown, like classy places and are big spenders.

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Given these criteria, I'd say Nishino is the place to go, though Mashiko is still my favorite overall.

[MsRamsey]

Thanks for these. Our friends are staying downtown, like classy places and are big spenders.

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Given these criteria, I'd say Nishino is the place to go, though Mashiko is still my favorite overall.

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Shiro's would also fit the bill, and the neighborhood is a lot more fun when you get done with dinner.

[tighe]

Thanks for these. Our friends are staying downtown, like classy places and are big spenders.

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Given these criteria, I'd say Nishino is the place to go, though Mashiko is still my favorite overall.

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Shiro's would also fit the bill, and the neighborhood is a lot more fun when you get done with dinner.

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I guess that chipped linoleum tables and grubby carpet doesn't say "classy" to me. Have they remodeled?

[MsRamsey]

Thanks for these. Our friends are staying downtown, like classy places and are big spenders.

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Given these criteria, I'd say Nishino is the place to go, though Mashiko is still my favorite overall.

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Shiro's would also fit the bill, and the neighborhood is a lot more fun when you get done with dinner.

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I guess that chipped linoleum tables and grubby carpet doesn't say "classy" to me. Have they remodeled?

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I've never noticed that. I like Nishino, but I thought the decor was 80s tacky, so there! All they need is some Nagel posters and perpetual light mirrors to complete the look.

[LEdlund]

No fighting you two or I'm going to have to send you to seperate states

I would choose Nishino or Kisaku based on your requirements. Mashiko is just too.......funky for me.

[elswinger]

I don't think folks from NYC are going to want to to the burbs of Wallingford or Northgate, so I'd stick with Saito's is the place. You can tell them Ichiro eats thers.

(BTW There needs to be sushi bar with an excellent view of the sound.)

[tighe]

I've never noticed that.  I like Nishino, but I thought the decor was 80s tacky, so there!   All they need is some Nagel posters and perpetual light mirrors to complete the look.

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I guess the truth is that there really aren't any sushi places in Seattle that you go to for the ambiance/interior. Nikko in the Westin was pretty cool, but the sushi was sub-par.

[skyflyer3]

I don't think folks from NYC are going to want to to the burbs of Wallingford or Northgate, so I'd stick with Saito's is the place.  You can tell them Ichiro eats thers.

(BTW There needs to be sushi bar with an excellent view of the sound.)

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I concur; downtown Saito's is best. If they don't mind the drive, I think they'd like Nishino a lot, although if you're going for a view, Sanmi is great and I think better than Nishino and Saito.

[dandelion]

What do people think of the Wasabi Bistro? I've only ever been in for a quick drink at happy hour, or a cup of miso soup when I'm not feeling well.

They must be doing pretty well -- the owner/chef just opened a new restaurant called <a href="http://www.redfinsushi.com/about.html" target="_blank">Red Fin</a> in the Hotel Max (formerly the Vance Hotel) where the the Yakima Grill used to be.

[little ms foodie]

wasabi bistro is the place I take people who are afraid of sushi!!

more show than go I think

[crouching tyler]

A few years ago I went to a little sushi place with a view of the marina at the south side of Magnolia (?). It was sort of tucked away, in the shadow of some large spendy pac. nw. restaurant. And only a few tables actually had a view of the marina.

It wouldn't suit downtown big spenders at all. But does anyone know the name of the place I am weakly describing? Is it any good? I don't remember. I was on a date, and wasn't very focused on the food, I am afraid.

[rockdoggydog]

If you're talking about the one next door to Palisades that's Sanmi Sushi.

Rocky

[hhlodesign]

What do you guys think of I Love Sushi on Eastlake? I haven't been in a few years, but remember it being pretty good.

Edited December 6, 2005 by hhlodesign (log)

[skyflyer3]

What do you guys think of I Love Sushi on Eastlake? I haven't been in a few years, but remember it being pretty good.

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After the guy who now owns Kisaku left I Love Sushi, I haven't been back. Last I remember, they were "eh". Not bad, not remarkable.

[kistle]

sanmi's in magnolia-best secret in town

meneke in the id-great value

kisaku at greenlake-between the two

[Placebo]

I haven't been to the eastlake I Love Sushi but if it's anything like the one on the east side that I've been to then don;t waste your time. Garbage. Poor selection, not great quality. It might as well have been supermarket sushi. I have lately taken to liking Tsukushinbo in the ID. It's family-owned and has been around for 16 years. It's just around the corner from Maneki.

[cburnsi]

sanmi's in magnolia-best secret in town

meneke in the id-great value

kisaku at greenlake-between the two

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Alas, Sanmi has closed it's doors. I really liked that place.

Another place I really like....Ototo on Queen Anne. The sushi is great, but the Tuna Tataki salad is what keeps me coming back.

[elswinger]

I went to Red Fin Sushi (6th & Stewart) Saturday and it was great. I got the Barbie Roll (A Shrimp Tempura roll with an outer skin of seared salmon), the Lobster Tempura Roll, King Crab nigiri, Snow Crab nigiri, some Otoro (Fatty Tuna) and a couple of fried shrimp heads (and a pepsi). It came to $40 plus tip. The presentation was impecible and quite arty. The service was very good, but we got there at 6pm so the servers outnumbered us 5-1. The place isn't very big and the lighting is low. I would say it is probably a romantic place to go (especially if you make reservations in the adjoining Hotel Max).

[Diann]

Bumping this topic back up... I want to buy a gift certificate for a friend of mine living in Seattle -- he and his girlfriend love sushi, although unfortunately, I don't know the name of their favorite place.

I don't think environment is that important; they just like good fish. Where should I send them? I'd prefer something mid-tier and not outrageously expensive, but if Nishino or something else is really heads and shoulders above the rest, that's fine too.

Thanks! (And if you ever need reciprocal advice about Philadelphia, just ask. Although, in my opinion, we don't really have good sushi...)

ETA: How about Shiro's? The consensus on it back in 2002 was that it was good, albeit expensive... I'm getting hungry (and jealous) just looking at the menu.

Edited December 14, 2006 by Diann (log)

[rockdoggydog]

For someplace that's really good and not a blowout I would suggest Kisaku, there are better places in Seattle but not many and it's still very reasonable.

Rocky