Bright, fresh fish and an impeccably refined space set the bar for sushi in Seattle.
The Scene
Since 1995, Tatsu Nishino and his chefs have kept standards high. Nishino himself often steps out of the kitchen to observe the bustling sushi bar, making sure counters are tidy and orderly. Servers know uni from tamago at a glance, as well as how to keep the courses coming at an appropriate pace.
The Food
Perfectly fresh, cool sashimi and sushi are the main draws. Standard-setting versions of the usual (salmon, tuna, shrimp) are available, but braver diners will enjoy geoduck or salty surf clam. The terrific sashimi sampler is a great way to start, but hungry diners should order extra maguro (tuna)--it's raspberry red and heavenly. Japanese vinegar salad with crab is great when shared. The raw fish-phobic can opt for the Kinoko tofu (fried tofu with oyster mushrooms).