01/12/09

Best-tasting sushi

by ladyjame

I've had the pleasure of sampling a lot of sushi in Seattle and so far Shiki is the best as far as flavor. Presentation leaves a lot to be desired, but we're talking flavor here. I had a couple pieces of sake (salmon) and hamachi (yellowtail) sushi and a spicy tuna roll. The sake and hamachi literally melted in my mouth and tasted so buttery! The fish portions were also good. The spicy tuna roll was actually spicy (yay), though the nori was on the outside which isn't my preference. My friends has the don buri and were a bit disappointed that their dishes were basically just a pile of rice with tempura shrimp on top or whatever other topping they selected - no other flacvors. So those left something to be desired, but this is a sushi restaurant so go for the sushi and you'll be happy.

• Pros: Sushi!
• Cons: Parking in lower queen anne. Nuff said.

12/17/07

Best Sashimi You'll Ever Have

by zebramachine

Rolls are not the point here. If you want good rolls, go to either Mashiko in West Seattle or Wasabi Bistro in Belltown (honorable mention for Rikki Rikki in Bellevue). Now, onto the review of Ken's amazing restaurant. He is a master of his craft who will expertly prepare the freshest maguro, hamachi, albacore, toro, etc. and cut it three times as generously as anywhere else, so if what you savor is a slab of perfect raw fish, come here. The kitchen entrees, such as katzudon, are highly recommended as well, as are the appetizers like potstickers or tofu in garlic. There is no glamor or gimick and it's not really a place for people who aren't sure if they like sushi. But for those hardcore sushi lovers: you deserve this.

• Pros: best fish, highly skilled chef
• Cons: lack of variety for vegetarians

11/17/07

Pretty standard - 2.5 stars actually

by willenajean

I know this place gets great reviews, but personally I think it was flat average. Tempura was a bit greasy, miso and edamame were not salty enough, and the size of the chicken katsu order was enormous (enough for at least 3 meals). I gues when you factor in the amount of food you get with the higher priced entrees, it makes it worth it. So, I'd guess I'd say this was a good value for what you get. Just not super exciting. Perhaps we ordered the wrong dishes.

• Pros: quick, friendly, food that is fresh and of good quality
• Cons: parking, "wow factor" not present, ambiance

12/08/06

Best Sushi Get's Better!!

by sushi_steve

As a sushi lover I have been a loyal customer to Shiki for years. Ken Yamamoto's sushi is simply wonderful ? incredibly fresh fish served by a Kyoto style sushi chef - What could be better? To keep things interesting during the Fall and Winter months, Ken-san also serves Fugu. If you really want to see a master present his art, call ahead and request an omakase (chef?s choice) dinner. We must have had eight courses the other night!

The other day I wandered in for one of Ken-san?s special lunch bento boxes (best lunch deal in Seattle) and I was presented with a remade restaurant. The Godzilla sized TV is gone from behind the sushi bar, the walls have been painted in a cream color with a beautiful Japanese red lacquer treatment on the lower part of the walls and the whole area behind the sushi bar is all new. What a difference!

If you haven't been to Shiki in a while - you will be very surprised, if you haven't tried it yet you should.

• Pros: Ken-san, free parking lot on nights and weekends
• Cons: none....maybe weekday lunch street parking.

11/20/06

Great Japanese Food

by brit223

Shiki is a great little place in lower Queen Anne. Everything from the sushi to the tempura to the teryaki, etc. is excellent. It has a comfortable, quiet atmosphere and a convenient location.

02/14/06

Simply the best sushi

by runkodoz

Shiki was one of the first sushi places I went to when I moved to Seattle, and altho Seattle sushi is generally excellent, Shiki stands above the rest. While other places have off nights, we have consistently had good to outstanding fish at Shiki. The specialties (amaebi and swamp crabs) cannot be beat, and ask the chef for any other surprises (cod egg soup, ice fish, aji, katso...). The staff is always warm and friendly; altho u may get forgotten by the waitstaff on a busy night, at the bar, Ken or the other chefs are attentive and fun. During our last visit, we simply asked Ken to pick the best fish, and we were stunned with everything--it's not uncommon to hear audible sounds of pleasure from fellow diners at the bar. The *only* downside is the massive TV in the corner.

• Pros: Freshest, Most unusual, Great staff
• Cons: The TV

11/30/04

I highly recommend Shiki's

by seamuffy

I used to live across from this restaurant when I first moved to Seattle from Denver. The service is warm and the atmosphere is much friendlier . Although Queen Anne is a great neighborhood, Shiki's makes the neighborhood stand proud having them as the best sushi in town.

03/28/04

a passerby

by jim_d

I've been to this sushi restaurant a few times now and each time I've had excellent, prompt service. I'm a bit of a sushi connoiseur so I wasn't won over at first. The california roll (served with my entree) was average but as I sampled the higher end sushi; ikura (salmon egg) and fatty tuna I was delightfully surprised. As far as the rest of the menu, the entree's were excellent, (especially the katsudon) and the sake list was a bit sparce but satisfactory. Out of every restaurant that greets you with a smiling, "irrashaimase!" this one is my favorite in Seattle, hands down.

• Pros: service, parking

09/27/03

highly recommended

by nwengel

At the risk of sounding redundant, I still should add a review. The sushi here is excellent. We've never had any entrees, but the sushi and every appetizer we've ever ordered has been perfect. The oysters are unbelievably fresh. It's a quiet, cozy little spot and the service is friendly and attentive.

• Pros: good value, unique menu items

09/27/03

BEST sushi in town, hands down!

by fc

Being a huge sushi fan, we've tried many sushi joints in town (including Shiro's, Nikko, etc.), and Shiki is definitely the best. The chef-owner, Ken, really knows his fish. We love to sit at the sushi bar, and ask him this and that (where did this fish come from (east coast, farm raised, etc.)? how do you pick the fish? - Ken goes to the market himself and tastes before he buys - how big is a blue fin? 400lbs! etc., etc.) We have yet to try the blowfish though. Ken is the only chef licensed to sell blow fish in the entire state. One of these days... We just love this little place, so casual, down to earth, and WONDERFUL sushi!!!