Taneda - Seattle

This is the type of restaurant that inspires you to travel across the country for a weekend just to secure a reservation through a friend. The menu is spectacul... read more This is the type of restaurant that inspires you to travel across the country for a weekend just to secure a reservation through a friend. The menu is spectacular and emphasizes hyper-seasonal ingredients, creating a truly intimate dining experience. Although I've encountered most of the ingredients before, Taneda san and his team managed to present them in such a way that it felt like meeting unagi or aji for the very first time. Everything was beautifully crafted, and I genuinely hope we have the opportunity to visit again.

**TL;DR:** This is still the best sushi restaurant in Seattle, featuring an incredible monthly menu! **Pros:** 1. The October 2021 menu includes a fantastic... read more **TL;DR:** This is still the best sushi restaurant in Seattle, featuring an incredible monthly menu! **Pros:** 1. The October 2021 menu includes a fantastic selection of fish and unique offerings, such as blackthroat nigiri, Wagyu steak, and shabu shabu. 2. The seasonings are delightful, and more robust than before. The yuzu seasoning is particularly refreshing and aromatic; you can really taste it on some of the white fish and in the steak sauce. 3. The staff continues to be incredibly friendly and welcoming. **Cons:** 1. Prices have increased again, more than they did over the summer. However, given the improved quality of the food, I would consider it a reasonable increase. That said, I still prefer the previous $140 range, which truly set it apart on the entire West Coast. 2. Making reservations is still quite challenging. Some guests are even resorting to using software tools to secure a spot, making it even more difficult. Overall, this remains the highest quality sushi restaurant in Seattle, boasting a different menu each month. While the service is excellent, booking a reservation can be tough. The prices are manageable, although they were a better value (about $50 less) before 2020.

Chefs were very professional and knowledgeable. Combination of appetizers, sushi and other seafoods were nicely balanced as well. read more Chefs were very professional and knowledgeable. Combination of appetizers, sushi and other seafoods were nicely balanced as well.

I’m genuinely sad to be writing this review because I used to be a die hard fan of Taneda. My husband and I started going before the pandemic and would visit at... read more I’m genuinely sad to be writing this review because I used to be a die hard fan of Taneda. My husband and I started going before the pandemic and would visit at least once every quarter. It was always something we looked forward to. Unfortunately, in the last few years, every return visit has felt increasingly lackluster. If you’ve never been before, I can see how the experience might still feel enjoyable. But for the price point, it no longer feels worth it to me. The dishes feel less exciting and more low effort than they used to be, and overall the experience now comes across more like a money grab than a carefully curated omakase. What really stood out was how much the level of hospitality has changed. In the past, staff would thoughtfully retrieve our coats and handbags from under our chairs at the end of the meal. Now, that level of attentiveness is gone. And to be clear, that kind of service was present even during pandemic times. I’ve spoken to more than ten people who feel the same way, that Taneda was significantly better a few years back. That consistency in feedback makes this even more disappointing. It’s sad because I truly loved this place and wanted to continue supporting it. I hope they take a step back and refocus on what made Taneda so special in the first place. Food: 3 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 4 Parking space: Difficult to find parking

One of the top 3 traditional omakase experiences in Seattle. Reservations are hard to come by but it's well worth the effort. Personalized sake pairings make th... read more One of the top 3 traditional omakase experiences in Seattle. Reservations are hard to come by but it's well worth the effort. Personalized sake pairings make the excellent experience even better. Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Parking space: Difficult to find parking