I'm a die-hard Wasabi Bistro supporter, but would go to Tuna house more it was closer.

 

I haven't been to many places, but I did enjoy Akasaka in Federal Way.

 

That is a great place..

 

True. Tune House is very mediocre. Their sashimi esp. toro and sake are not all that fresh. If you want good sushi go to the one where you see mostly Japanese customers. These places are mostly in the corners somewhere in the International Districts. The fish are caught and cut the same day.

 

I love Mashiko's in West Seattle. Helps that the chef is a fellow motorhead too.

 

Has anyone been to Seastar restaurant in Bellevue? I have heard good things.

 

Many times before but I don't go there for sushi. They have some of the best appetizer dishes around. Love their "tower" dish. Definitely get that if you can.

 

Yes, I have been here many times. Wonderful upper class seafood restaurant - nice for business lunches or dinner with your lady or friends. Great food and nice atmosphere.

 

Mashiko's is freaking awesome.

 

I've only been there once, which was the last time we had a sushi get together. I have to agree with you, the place was ok. But we may not have been getting the normal service as their was a crowd of us. I found the quality of the food to be ok but it didn't seem like a great value at $60/head. Need more toro!

The real win was the people. I was more than happy to pay a premium to hang out with the 6speed folk and eat sushi, but I haven't been back there since. (In all fairness, I also have a reasonably decent sushi restaurant closer to me).

In any case, as I say, it's all about the people, so count me in!

 

Hmmm. Maybe it's a blessing then that there wasn't much of it last time I was there then.

 

I eat at Tuna House probably 3 times a week on average. (Too close to my office to resist). Their fish is of the highest quality anywhere, and I've tried most of the well-known sushi places around here (and also throughout the country, and other countries including Japan). I suppose it's possible that you caught them on a bad day (though I've not had one in the 500+ times I've eaten there).

There are only a couple of suppliers that serve the area for restaurants' sushi/sashimi needs. State law requires that most fish served is previously frozen; it's illegal to serve "fresh" Salmon raw in Washington. Delivery times for Bellevue and Seattle are similar, so being in the international district makes no difference for someone eating at 12pm or 6pm.

WSDOH:
(A) Except as specified in ¶ (B) of this section, before service or sale in READY-TO-EAT form, raw, rawmarinated, partially cooked, or marinated-partially cooked FISH other than MOLLUSCAN SHELLFISH shall be:
(1) Frozen and stored at a temperature of -20°C (-4°F) or below for 168 hours (7 days) in a freezer; or
(2) Frozen at -35°C (-31°F) or below until solid and stored at -35°C (-31°F) for 15 hours.
(B) If the FISH are tuna of the species Thunnus alalunga, Thunnus albacares (Yellowfin tuna), Thunnus atlanticus, Thunnus maccoyii (Bluefin tuna, Southern), Thunnus obesus (Bigeye tuna), or Thunnus thynnus (Bluefin tuna, Northern), the FISH may be served or sold in a raw, raw-marinated, or partially cooked READY-TO-EAT form without freezing as specified under ¶ (A) of this section.

Toro is my favorite of course, but at $10-12/per 2pc it's not possible to get a lot of that when the budget was $55/head including tax/tip and five courses. The Toro I've had a Tuna House, and the blue-fin Tuna (when available) is as good as I've had anywhere.

 

I respect your opinion, it's certainly more informed than mine on this restaurant. I'm more than willing to try it again. Sushi and good people. Can't put a price on that.

 

That was just my opinion but it is possible that I was there on a bad day and my taste buds deceived me. I may have also been hallucinated by the lack of authenticity and mediocre presentations. I'll give it another try and we'll see. Also we will try to eat only food that are legally prep, and drive our cars at the legal speed limit from now on.

 

I hope to join you guys. Sounds like a fun time. I'll know in a few days about my work schedule.