09/29/09

Food is good but too expensive

by mochibaby

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

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.

11/05/08

Good Sushi, OK space

by golito

Pretty good Sushi, but not much of a Japanese feel to the place. More for the trendy type, serious Sushi lovers will be happy here, but there are better places in town.

04/27/08

Awesome Sashimi, Great Selection, Great food

by owlburt

Went here in March for the 30 for 30 menu and have gone back ever since. I love sushi and sashimi but mostly sashimi. I try not to mess too much with the rice since it takes up valuable stomach space.

This place has got all the great intangibles like great service, nice dining area, great ambiance, and most importantly an all Japanese group of sushi chefs. No offense to any other sushi chefs who are of other ethnicity but I believe that Japanese food should be made by the people how invented it, the Japanese. Like Italian food should be made by Italians and not some pimple face college kid at Olive Garden.

Tried the white tuna sashimi which was excellent and fresh. Definitely sashimi grade stuff. Then we tried the Toro (Fatty Tuna from the belly area). The Toro was amazing, it was like butter and it literally melted in your mouth.

I lived in the So Cal area my whole life and sushi/sashimi there is is a common part of everyone's diet so I would say I have had lots of good sushi and sashimi.

I just didn't think I would ever find a sushi restaurant here that would be up to those standards but Nishino, happily, has proved me wrong. I would say this place is as good if not better than the best sushi restaurants I have been to in So Cal.

Just a word of warning. If you are the California roll, crunchy roll, and no raw fish type of "sushi" eater. This might not be the place for you. Although their crunchy roll was good, you might be wasting your money since you can't try the best of what this place has to offer, the top sashimi grade raw fish!!!

• Pros: Great food, Great Sushi, Great Sashimi
• Cons: A little pricey but you get what you pay for.

02/28/08

Terrific Sushi in a quiet area of Downtown Seattle

by Travelingpilot

My coworkers and I (from Washington DC) were looking for a good sushi restaruant Saturday night, while in Seattle for business. Well we definitely lucked out. To start with, finding the location is simple. It is up one of the main roads in the city. Parking, again was simple and dosent cost a dime at night. The staff was knowledgeable and courteous, and I can't emphasize that last point enough. We were late to our reservation, called ahead and they had no problem moving our time. The ambiance was well above par. Their sake selection was extremly good and they housed more than "just a couple selections" of sake. The fish was extremly fresh and the tako was prepared perfectly. There is uniqueness to each piece served and their Tara nabe is excellent. Overall my coworkers and I throughly enjoyed our experience at Nishino and would reccomend it to anyone visiting Seattle.

• Pros: Phenomenal Food and Ambiance
• Cons: Do not bring a light wallet

07/17/07

I don't know

by ennnnn

Nishino is a good place to go once a year

service was good

Just one thing...

The chif's Omakase is always the same

03/28/07

Great 25 for $25 opportunity

by lorienevergreen

With 5:30 reservations to sample the offerings of the March "25 for $25" at Nishino, we entered a quiet, beautifully decorated space, with soft jazz playing. Within 1/2 hour, we were being served and the place was packed to the gills and full of conversation. We tried different appetizers and entrees, as well as the 3 (cold) sake sampler. Everything was absolutely delicious, perfectly prepared and presented; the service was excellent and knowledgeable. The regular menu is pretty pricey, so I might come back for a special occasion - not for a casual spot of sushi - but come back I will. Oh, the crab cakes and that tofu, eggplant and spinach dish!

02/23/07

very disappointed

by cellphone

i heard so much good things about this place so i took my friend out to dinner

the wait was horrible and serivice wasn't pleasant at all.

review said that it is a romatic place but place was very noisy so i wouldn't recommanded for a special occasions. i was very disappointed so i will definately not going there again, there are so many better japanese restaurants in seattle than Nishino

so wake up guys and smell the better fish !!!

12/09/06

Best Sushi In Seattle

by lunen

No complaints at all about Nishino. Well, maybe the wine is a bit overpriced, but beyond that, the food is excellent. I found the sushi to be great, and not at all expensive for sushi of this quality. The place is exceptionally clean, and the staff were very friendly. I will definitely be going back.

• Pros: Sushi

08/23/06

Excellent food, relaxing atmosphere

by siren223

I have only been here once, but I would definitely go back again. I had roll that was recommended to me by the waiter and I couldn't have been more pleased.