07/06/09

Love it - Lunch

by SeattleAte

I have been here for lunch a few times. Enjoyed the unintrusive service and cucumber water. Will 100% be returning.

Recommend: Ramen (Tried House, heard others are good), skewers (fun for appetizers to share - try something you haven't before).

Didn't Like: Kimchi Fried Rice, order Kimchi at an authentic Korean place instead.

Spent 11 USD + Tax and Tip for Ramen (took home half, 8 USD) and shared skewers (3 USD).

• Pros: Yummy noodles, Unconventional
• Cons: Chance of ordering the wrong thing

06/16/09

Good Idea - Poor Execution

by JazzyJeff

I didn't go here to review this place. I only right reviews when something is significantly wrong or right. This place is a little of both.

First, Kushi is essentially Japanese skewers - the restaurant is essentially a Japanese Tapas Bar. In a Downtown with dozens of Sushi bars, Asian Fusion, and Italian restaurants, it's nice to see Japanese food presented in a different niche. Prices are reasonable and staff is attentive. But that's about where the 'right' ends.

The food is very hitt and miss. The kitchen is staffed by a bunch of Mexicans like most restaurants these days. I have nothing against Mexican kitchen staff, some of the best sushi places I've eaten hand Mexican Sushi Chefs. But it is painfully obvious someone has not taught these guys how to grill skewers over an open flame properly. Most of the skewers we ate such as prawns and shrimp were WAY overcooked and DRY.

This is a newer restaurant and it we were there at 7PM on a weekday and it was virtually empty. You would think to ensure the success of the place staff would always be questioning how you liked the food and drinks. There didn't seem to be very much interest, at least from the bartender. It like they maybe assume the place will be a success and haven't gotten into desperate survival mode yet?

To cap it off we had a coupon and because we sat at the bar, the bartender refused the coupon because it was happy hour until 8. The restaurant was virtually empty. If it were me, I'd want these first time customers to come back and say, what the heck, I'll honor it anyway. If I had asked how the food was and we said the skewers were way overcooked to the point the prawns and chicken were almost inedible, then DEFINITELY I'd honor the coupon if they didn't take the off the bill in the first place!

This place is BIG, especially considering the outdoor area which unfortunately only has a view of 2nd Ave one way and the alley/parking log/1st ave the other. But it should provide some attraction in the summer.

Lastly, the bathrooms are tiny at this place. They handle one person at a time and this place sits A LOT of people.

Overall it seems someone didn't think this place through completely and still isn't thinking. I'd be surprised if it survives through the end of this year unless someone does some serious thinking and makes some necessary changes.

P.S. Why is the word ' h i t ' deemed an inappropriate word on CitySearch???

• Pros: Unique Japanese Offering. Ample Outdoor Seating.
• Cons: Food Very Hitt and Miss. Poor Execution Overall.

04/08/09

Fun

by sennuki

This is a fun place and a great idea. I loved kushikatsu and yakitori while living in Japan. From what I remember, it was fun and full of great flavor. I enjoyed Kushibar and I'll go back but the chicken skewers didn't have the same complex flavors that I hoped. Some of the other dishes were really good.

• Pros: A good place to have fun
• Cons: lack of serious flavor