by Lynn Marshall

NISHINO
3130 East Madison St., (206) 322 5800

Nishino is a neighborhood favorite here in Madison Park and also one of the prettiest Japanese restaurants in Seattle. The curved wood sushi bar seats about a dozen, but the open kitchen makes sure that every seat has a view of the action. This is a busy spot – most nights two or three sushi chefs are working the bar. The seaweed-wrapped red-ceramic fish sculpture behind the bar is the restaurant’s icon.
In addition to first rate sushi and sashimi, the entrée menu offers many good choices for those in your party who may not be in a sushi mood - the noodles and tempura are great choices.

by Lynn Marshall

CHIRO
3250 Freemont Ave. N
Seattle, WA (206) 632 3430

Tai Chi Kitamura’s Chiro in Seattle’s Freemont neighborhood is modern and sleek – the interior features concrete walls and exposed duct work. The menu seems endless; there are twelve different types of Saki to try. The friendly staff is very helpful, and if you sit at the bar, the sushi chefs will be glad to give you suggestions.
Chiro offers vegetarian rolls, and many different combination plates. Try one of the Chirasi platters – sashimi served on a bed of sushi rice. You won’t be disappointed. The tempura is also a treat here and the lunch menu really is a bargain.
The estimated cost per diner, for dinner is $15-$45.

by Lynn Marshall

SHIRO’S
2401 Second Ave., (206) 443 9844
Seattle WA

Since opening in 1994 sushi chef Shiro Kashiba’s restaurant has been at the top of every sushi list in Seattle. He and the restaurant have garnered national press for the way he combines traditional Japanese ingredients with the abundance of fresh local seafood available in Seattle. Kashiba trained in Japan and has been making sushi in Seattle since 1967.
Sitting at the sushi bar here is a treat, and may be your best bet on a busy night when all 17 tables are occupied – the spider rolls are the best in Seattle, and the chef’s choice sashimi options are always exquisite.

by Lynn Marshall

I LOVE SUSHI
100 Fairview Ave. N., (206) 625 9604
Both I Love Sushi locations, the one here in Seattle near Lake Union, and its two eastside cousins in Bellevue are great places to introduce someone to sushi – they’re big, family friendly and easygoing, but the quality is terrific, and has been consistent since the main Bellevue location opened in 1986. Many of the city’s sushi chefs got their start right here.
The combination plates are winners, and the more traditional Japanese selections like the sea urchin and abalone are great choices for the more experienced. Healthy techniques and organic ingredients are emphasized at I Love Sushi, and are a priority for founder Yoshi Yokoyama.

by Lynn Marshall

SHIKI
4 West Roy St., (206) 281 1352
In addition to the usual favorites - rolls, sashimi, and nigiri, Shiki, located in lower Queen Anne, emphasizes seasonal sushi. The staff and sushi chef Ken Yamamoto will be happy to talk to you about the specials. Don’t miss the 10 gallon fish tank and the terrarium at the end of the bar – that eel you ordered may well be swimming in the tank just minutes before arriving on your plate!  The black and purple décor is casual, and Shiki often feels more like a neighborhood bar than the typical great sushi restaurant. Yamamoto trained in Japan and is one of the few US chefs licensed to prepare the potentially deadly puffer fish, Fugu.