Nishino

11/15/09

Yummy sushi, nice ambiance

by jennnn11 at Citysearch

We tried out Nishino as part of the Dine Around Seattle promotion. Overall, a good experience - exquisite sushi (not too "fishy" tasting), good tempura, good miso soup, and delish mochi for dessert! The ambiance is nice - the restaurant is unfortunately located in this little strip mall thing next to a gym, so that takes away from it, but the interior is nice with some interesting art on the walls.

We got there early and were given a nice little table for two near the window - and then they unfortunately proceeded to seat the next two parties in the two tables on either side of us! They lost a star for that. The dining room's not that big, the waitstaff could have dealt with diners slightly more spread out. The other star was lost by the jaw-dropping prices on the regular menu. Bottom line: we may return during Dine Around Seattle - but only then!

• Pros: Great sushi, convenient location
• Cons: Expensive

09/29/09

Food is good but too expensive

by mochibaby at Citysearch

The food is good and I like the atmosphere. Service is pretty good too! However, it's way over price and finding parking is not easy on Friday nights

01/13/09

I wish I could review the sushi- we never even made it to our reserved table.

by DEJ905 at Citysearch

I was visiting friends in Seattle and heard great things about Nishino- being a sushi fanatic, it seemed like a no-brainer choice on my trip to the Northwest from LA. I made an 8:00 Friday reservation 3 days in advance. We arrived 5 minutes early to a restaurant already filled to overflow with people waiting to be seated. I told the maitre d' that we had arrived for our reservation and was met with a blank stare and an "OK", which I translated to "sit down with everyone else".

By 8:15 several people had been shown to their tables while we sat and continued to wait. I asked an employee what the status with our table was- she was apologetic, saying that our table was still being used by a party who were taking their time. She offered a complimentary glass of wine, which helped.

However, what did NOT help was, while still waiting for our table at 8:40, another group with the same number in their party came through the door, announced "We're here for our 8pm reservation, sorry we're late", and were immediately brought to a table. After seeing that, I told the maitre d' and the employee that we were leaving. With the employee apologizing profusely and re-emphasizing that the party at our table was still sitting there, we left Nishino with our bellies still grumbling in hunger and our spirits a little less festive. Bottom line- a restaurant that busy needs to learn how to better manage their table turning or deal with 'camper' customers, and as for letting the late party in immediately when we were on time and waiting for so long? There's no excuse for that whatsoever.

• Pros: A "Zen sand garden" is provided in the waiting room to assist in bringing down stress levels as you wait for your table
• Cons: An experience not unlike waiting for your plane at Chicago's O'Hare airport during a January blizzard.