Sunagimo
Tanuki Izakaya

Tanuki Izakaya

5266 University Way NE, Seattle, United States Of America

Soup • Sushi • Casual • Izakaya


"After arriving in Seattle, my first meal was at Seattle Winner, where I indulged in some Japanese cuisine. The difference between Japanese food in the U.S. and Taiwan? The conclusion is clear: it’s expensive—very expensive! Although the overall taste was reasonably good, the value for money was quite low. That day, my friends and I ordered the Pearl Box SET, which cost around $65. The contents of the box included various types of Japanese food arranged in a rectangular pattern, and honestly, this would probably cost half that in Taiwan! We also tried some skewers and enjoyed a few glasses of sake. The skewers had a decent taste, reminiscent of authentic flavors, but again, the prices felt a bit steep. Interestingly, this Japanese restaurant seems to be run by Chinese staff. Perhaps due to the late hour, the employees had gathered at their own table and were enjoying themselves, which detracted from the overall service experience. The attitude of the staff wasn't particularly warm or welcoming. On a positive note, the ambiance was quite nice, resembling a cozy, dimly lit Japanese eatery. This seems to be a standard for Japanese restaurants in the U.S., so maybe I should lower my expectations. **Food:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ **Drinks:** ⭐⭐⭐ **Atmosphere:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **Service:** ⭐⭐⭐ **Price:** ⭐⭐⭐ **Location:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐ **Summary:** Overall, while the food was good and the atmosphere pleasant, the high prices and mediocre service may deter me from returning."

Tsubaki

Tsubaki

1356 Allison AveCA 90026-4401, Los Angeles, United States

Tea • Steak • Drinks • Terrace


"I regret to give Tsubaki a rating of 1 out of 5 based on my recent visit. Unfortunately, most of the food fell short of my expectations. The Japanese Caesar salad was underwhelming with bonito, resulting in overpowering flavors that felt forced and trying too hard. Additionally, the sashimi was a complete waste of money. The fish slices were unnecessarily thick and had an unpleasant taste and odor. The sauces accompanying the sashimi seemed to compensate for the lackluster flavor of the fish itself, rather than complement it. Tsubaki would benefit from improving their sashimi-making techniques and understanding the importance of appropriate slice thickness.Furthermore, I found their pricing practices to be questionable. The menu advertised the sashimi at $43, but I was charged $45 on the receipt, which felt like a clear case of overcharging. Adding insult to injury, the mandatory 18% tip included in the bill detracted from the freedom of leaving my own tip. While some may find this acceptable, I personally prefer having control over my tipping practices.Moreover, the A5 skewer priced at $24 seemed like a great deal, but to my disappointment, it consisted solely of fat. It lacked the balance and variety that makes a skewer enjoyable. It appears that Tsubaki lacks an understanding of what constitutes a satisfying culinary experience.Overall, my visit to Tsubaki was a total disappointment. While they may attract a crowd with their novelty dishes, in Japan, a place like this would likely struggle to survive. I expected more from a restaurant claiming to offer Japanese cuisine.Also In addition to the disappointing food experience, the parking situation further added to my dissatisfaction. There is absolutely no parking available, and the valet service was barely visible. To make matters worse, they charged a steep fee of $11 for the valet service."