Umi Sake House

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danic81

Joined 7 years ago

Happy Happy!. My oh my. Great bargains on happy hour, not so much for the drinking set but WOW is that some quality sushi at a great price! We expected smaller sized rolls for the meager price of $3-$5 but we got full size rolls with top quality ingredients. Our only (minor) disappointment was in the yellowtail sashimi plate, as the fish could improve in quality and perhaps freshness. Eel roll was our fave.

Still, all in all, we were very happy with the wonderful rolls, and the sushi set A was served to our neighbor at the bar. It looked great!! Don't miss the garlic short ribs... dee-lish.

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misst007

Joined 7 years ago

A bit disappointed. Don't get me wrong, what was done ambience-wise in lieu of Bada Lounge was a big improvement for Belltown in the world of restaurants, however, with Wasabi Bistro and a few other nearby competitors, I was sadly, not impressed with the food. I gave it a couple of shots ordering different items on the menu each time. The staff and service is great, the atmosphere is quite appropriate for it's location, but the food was a sheer disappointment. I ordered a beef appetizer that was very much raw when I was told it was cooked medium. The chicken appetizer I ordered the second time, was much spicier than what I was told then too! As helpful and nice as the wait staff was, perhaps more sampling needs to take place for an accurate description of their menu. For now, I'll stick with Wasabi when I need that sushi fix though perhaps in months to come, I'll give it another try.

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mzbugg

Joined 7 years ago

An oasis in Belltown. I'm not sure what westseattlesally is talking about. I've been a huge fan of sushi chef Billy Beach for years and would follow him anywhere. Not only was the O Toro sashimi the best I've ever had anywhere in Seattle but his sushi menu is extensive and creative. We tried some of his new Maki Rolls, like the Ocean Roll and also had some of our old favorites, like Spicy Hamachi Roll and everything was perfect. It's clear that Umi will be a great success because of it's excellent menu, extensive bar list and beautiful decor. Umi is an oasis in the heart of the bars and clubs of 1st Ave and chef Billy's touch brings the whole experience together. I can't wait to go back with more of my friends!

Doesn't Recommend

westseattlesally

Joined 7 years ago

Sushi for novices. In the light of day, this place shows all its flaws. Cheaply constructed, poorly painted, it gives the impression they slapped it together in a few weekends. If you are looking for a trendy place to have cheap edible sushi after you've had cocktails somewhere else, this is it. It does have some nice spaces inside, which when dimly lit, are appealing. The sashimi was pretty good, but we found that they may try to hide less than perfectly fresh fish in their over the top rolls. My ginger sake cocktail was interesting, but a little too sweet. Have one for the novelty, then move on to their extensive sake list. The sushi "chef" was bizarre--very inattentive, and he mumbled when he spoke. He seemed inexperienced---had he trained anywhere before this? He lacked basic knowlege about the fish he was serving and other sushi establishments in Seattle. Service was not great---in a half empty restaurant. I will not be back--I will go to Saito's, Nishino, or Mashiko next time instead.

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ewhitish

Joined 10 years ago

Best all around!. This place is great! The decor is amazing, yes, but the sushi is super fresh and very tasty. They're specialty rolls are very creative and so yummy. But seriously, the cocktails and sake cocktails will amaze you. Who is the bartender? He/she is really talented. Every one I've ahd has been perfectly concocted. Every time. I recommend the lychee lemonade or the shisojito. The cucumber or mint sake cocktails are amazing as well. Oh and happy hour is fantastic... portions are the same as those on the regular menu and you won't be disappointed with the selection.

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jkim81

Joined 7 years ago

Very impressed... you need to experience it for yourself. Was very impressed with the whole decor and overall ambience of the restaurant. Being a sushi critic myself, I was very skeptical on trying out a new restaurant. The presentation of the food was an A+ on my book, and besides from the look, the freshness and the quality of the sushi/sashimi blew me away, which gave that a A+++. The menu had a wide rage of different Japanese foods which I appricate and besides that, the sake list was just unbelievable. I have never been to a Japanese restaurant that provided the amount of sake that Umi has to offer. They have over 40 different premium sakes which all goes well with the different foods that are showcased on the menu. Just like wine, you could pair sakes with different foods. Its good to see that Seattle finally has a restaurant to showcase the true Japanese eating experience. See for yourself, I guarantee you will not be disapointed. Kampai!

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alicianoele

Joined 10 years ago

Heading back to Umi ASAP. I tried Umi for the first time last night, and was completely impressed. The makeover of Bada is fantastic...lots of wood for an understated elegance departing from the former IKEA showroom-trying-to-be-LA atmosphere. All of our servers were not only attentive and polite, they were genuinely friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. I can only rave about the food, beginning with the miso soup that was rich and dotted with mushrooms. We inhaled a delicious shrimp tempura roll and Belltown roll (featuring scallops and avocado) and divine salmon sashimi. Others at our table enjoyed ginger chicken and items off the fresh menu including the unique Mango Tango roll. Whereas I am not knowledgeable about sake, the sip I tried ($10 per glass) was sublimely sweet and chilled. I -do- know about wine, however, and on the server's recommendation we tried the Japanese Grace Koshu which was a treat! If you're interested in a unique dry white, I encourage you to have a glass. My only (nit-picky) criticism of Umi is the bizarre restroom entry...the door is shingled identically to the surrounding wall, making the entrance nearly indistinguishable! Other than that, the place was flawless and I look forward to returning ASAP.

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seachica

Joined 7 years ago

Delicious sushi, perfect drinks. This sake house boasts an impressive, soothing, clean interior with top-notch food. The atmosphere is incredibly comforting, yet trendy. The menu is creative, extensive and so delicious: the sushi rolls are very tasty, and the sashimi is fresh and scrumptious. They offer a terrific selection of sake and cocktails. The Bartender, Will, is very helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and provides excellent service. I am so impressed with the ambiance; you feel like you are in a real sake house -- there's no other restaurant like it! The environment is so inviting and subtley stylish. The Happy Hour specials are awesome -- great food for a great price. I highly recommend visiting this venue and you'll want to keep coming back!