SAI Sushi & Sake

25 W Mercer St, Seattle

Recent Reviews

Kristina Ettensohn

Today, we had an unforgettable omakase experience that I want to brag about. Sai is a hidden gem worth discovering! We secured a private reservation for our party of 4 and received the sole focus of the chef’s attention. We were presented with an abundant selection of sushi and various courses, each more impressive than the last. The fish served were not only exceptionally fresh and perfectly cut but also unusual, prepared to perfection to highlight their unique flavors and textures.The value offered by this experience far exceeded our expectations. It’s a rare find that genuinely merits the price. If you haven’t had the chance to experience omakase before, I highly encourage you to do so at Sai. You won’t be disappointed!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Omakase

Alvin Tran

I went for the private omakase. Overall, the food was really good, and the experience was really nice. The ambience is very intimate, and they definitely try to make it feel like you're in a Japanese setting, with piano covers of Japanese music playing in the background. The chef does a pretty decent job of explaining the good he's giving you, and how to best eat it, which was really nice of him. Also, he's pretty well aware that his English is a bit rough/accented, so he also gives a menu, to let you know what things he's serving you that night (I haven't seen many other places in Seattle do that, so this is a nice touch; I always forget what food these places give us, soon after they explain). I think I particularly liked the Toro (Fatty Tuna), Kohada (Gizzard Shad), and the Anago (sea eel). I also happened to go on my birthday, and the person I went with also apparently coordinated with the chef to give me a birthday dessert. This was a really nice touch! The birthday stuff was also Sai-branded and everything, so it seemed very well-made. Overall, I do recommend checking this place out. It's one of the better sushi experiences I've had in Seattle.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Omakase

Libby W.

Took my bf here for his birthday in August looking for a special experience and we got one! I took a photo of just about everything put in front of us, but Yelp only allows 10 pics, and there was a lot more than this. So, these are the ones you get, and I don't remember what anything was at this point, haha. And they're out of order. But ignore that and just focus on how lovely everything is. Everything was prepared with such care, right in front of us, and we were the only ones there. If you do the earlier time slot, there's only room for a party of 2 and it will just be you, your date, and the chef. So peaceful and quiet, and Chef is right there to answer any questions. It was nice being able to get explanations on why he chose the fish he did, and his personal connections to the flavor combinations. We also did the sake flight, which was really nice, and got a tea or 2 at the end. I remember when this space was a Subway, so it's pretty impressive that Chef has been able to turn that into such an amazing addition to our neighborhood. My only critique is that we felt a little rushed at the end, but overall, it was a beautiful meal and our first true omakase experience. Side note: my bf saw Chef at the grocery store maybe like a month or so after our dinner and was all star struck - bf was too embarrassed to say hello, haha. I wish he had, though. These are the people in our neighborhood (Mr. Rogers reference, for those old enough to get it)!

William K.

Everything on the menu for the night was a winner, truly delicious all the way through. Chef Saito is not only very skilled and talented but also warm, friendly, thoughtful, and knows how to keep your party feeling comfortable. Even though we shared the time slot with another couple, there was a privacy screen between us to help keep the intimate setting. We will definitely be back!

Julie S.

Fantastic omakase experience. The food was outstanding and the space felt authentic. It was an intimate experience (we were the only two guests in the first seating!) with attentive service. So many delightful surprises! Highly recommend.

Valerie V.

Was able to get a random reservation on a Monday night last year and it was the best Omakase I've had in Seattle. Can't add more than 10 photos, but I'll drop the additional I have in a follow up (if possible). The random reservation turned out to be the best decision ever. My dinner partner and I were the only people for that seating! Super intimate, and our chef was so attentive and generous with our drinks and refills. All 11 nigiri were some of the best I've had. The Uni was so fresh as well. Texture is a big thing for me and everything had different tastes and textures, the fish was really fresh. There were some additional dishes as well and all of them were absolutely fantastic. I really loved how intimate the setting was. Our chef really explained each dish thoughtfully and the experience was very enjoyable. No server needed, honestly the one man show really set the tone the entire night. Chef was communicative with us and was supper attentive to anything we needed.

Makoto Kanda

I very highly recommend Sai for very special occasions of your very special someone. If you go there, you should expect it would take at least 2 hours to finish your meal. If you want something quick, this is not your place (I think there's a KFC just a few block away). Yes, if you are reading this and wondering why my review starts like this, I read some neutral/negative reviews on Yelp and had to say something. I also do not disagree that servers play important roles in guest satisfaction. I actually agree 300% if not more. But I personally appreciate direct communications with chefs more than anything else as they know the food they serve more than anyone else. Mr. Saito is a very truthful and honest person, so just ask away if you have any questions. He also trusts his only employee which I really liked. He was always so attentive and I never needed to ask water refills, etc., at all. I don't get why someone demands hiring servers when he is doing this great. I'd rather ask him not to (hire servers). haha As a solo diner myself (most usually), I do understand someone's disappointment about Sai's not taking solo diners. But they have only 4 seats and most people who go there do so to celebrate something with someone (takes 2 of the 4 seats), so if they take a solo diner, they are likely to waste 25% of the seats they have. I do support their decision, and also hope that whoever posted that review gets a chance to experience Sai's private dining experience one day!So, I was there to celebrate the birthday of a very good friend of mine. Sai was in a very short list of places she wanted to try. I was so fortunate that I checked Tock right after someone cancelled their reservation for the very right day (my friend's bday), apparently.I wouldn't comment on the food we were offered. They were all good! I generally agree to what Michael S said on Yelp.I really hope to be back here again some day (I'm in SF Bay Area, so it's not very easy)!Oh, Yelp demands me talk about the ambiance... Ok, it was awesome! (Well, I'm copying my own review on Yelp basically).

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Makoto K.

I very highly recommend Sai for very special occasions of your very special someone. If you go there, you should expect it would take at least 2 hours to finish your meal. If you want something quick, this is not your place (I think there's a KFC just a few block away). Yes, if you are reading this and wondering why my review starts like this, I read some neutral/negative reviews here and had to say something. I also do not disagree that servers play important roles in guest satisfaction. I actually agree 300% if not more. But I personally appreciate direct communications with chefs more than anything else as they know the food they serve more than anyone else. Mr. Saito is a very truthful and honest person, so just ask away if you have any questions. He also trusts his only employee which I really liked. He was always so attentive and I never needed to ask water refills, etc., at all. I don't get why someone demands hiring servers when he is doing this great. I'd rather ask him not to (hire servers). haha As a solo diner myself (most usually), I do understand someone's disappointment about Sai's not taking solo diners. But they have only 4 seats and most people who go there do so to celebrate something with someone (takes 2 of the 4 seats), so if they take a solo diner, they are likely to waste 25% of the seats they have. I do support their decision, and also hope that whoever posted that review gets a chance to enjoy Sai's private dining experience one day! So, I was there to celebrate the birthday of a very good friend of mine. Sai was in a very short list of places she wanted to try. I was so fortunate that I checked Tock right after someone cancelled their reservation for the very right day (my friend's bday), apparently. I wouldn't comment on the food we were offered. They were all good! I generally agree to what Michael S said. I really hope to be back here again some day (I'm in SF Bay Area, so it's not very easy)! Oh, Yelp demands me talk about the ambiance... Ok, it was awesome!

Michael S.

Definitely the best omakase in Seattle. This place takes the #1 for me - and it's a place I look forward to coming back to soon! I booked this place a month in advance for my partner and I's 3rd year relationship anniversary. $205/person for 2 Appetizers, Seasonal soup, Sashimi, Chef's choice warm dish, 11 pieces Nigiri sushi, 1 Sushi handroll, Miso soup, Dessert. I ordered the $22 sake flight, my partner ordered the yuzu matcha kukicha for $8 First appy: Scallop, avocado, ikura, Snow crab, daikon, cucumber, shiso flower, sesame sauce. Soup: mirugai (geoduck) - with tamago, shrimp, Sashimi: mackerel (aji), bluefin tuna (toro), flounder (hirame) . Two different sauces for the sashimi. My fav was the aji, but flounder was dark horse good. Hot dish: golden snapper, yuzu, black ginger (mouth refresher), yu Choi, corn, mushrooms. Nigiri: see below Handroll: Japanese cucumber, shiso leaf, A5 wagyu, Hokkaido sea urchin. Miso: great flavour to cap off the night. Dessert: mochi ice cream and peach jelly. The mochi ice cream was nice, and peach jelly had hold texture - but fairly neutral flavour on both. Tea/coffee: choice of jasmine/green or coffee. Also got a Japanese sea snail just before the nigiri course started. See the photos! Cool part: You can customize how much sushi rice you want with the nigiri! (he asks throughout the session in case you get more full) Top to bottom nigiri courses: 1. (kohada) Gizzard Shad (Japan - with yuzu jelly on top): very close to mackerel (slightly less chewy). I really liked this piece. 2. (Chikamekintoki) Longfinned bullseye (with shiso on top): perfect fish. Perfect rice. What do you want? 3. (Iwashi) Sardine (Japan - w/ green onion): fishy-ish aftertaste - but perfect temp. Felt very 4. (Mirugai) Geoduck (from Japan? With blood orange) 5. (Nodoguro) Blackthroat Seaperch (Japan - seared with flame and topped with shiso leaf and nyota): incredibly soft. Almost foie Gras like. Expensive now, but used to be cheap (one fish for one customer back then). Umami comes from the thin layer of skin and meat. 6. (Tamago) Egg Omelette 7. (Ezo Awabi) Ezo Abalone (Hokkaido): the liver sauce! Eat one on its own other with rice. 8. (Tachino) Cutlass fish (with grapefruit on top) : wow this surprised me with how good it is. 9. (Toro) Fatty Tuna: 10. (Aka Uni) Hokkaido Red Sea Urchin: 11. (anago) Sea Eel (Japan): wow it was warm and soft and REALLY AWESOME. I don't think my partner or I disliked any piece. Each had their own incredible texture and flavour. Great to talk to the chef about his Favs. He doesn't have a lot of time but used to go to momiji (friend worked there). Nodoguro: can't eat raw skin, so seared. Really awesome piece of nigiri. What impresses the most is that this guy is a one-man show. No helpers / assistants, no dishwasher (until 6:30pm) - so this guy is literally doing everything himself! Outsourced cake (anniversary celebration) was a surprise, taro chestnut with sponge cake and outside cream. My partner was thoroughly full here. That being said: No onsite parking. The ambiance has quiet music, but the first seating means that it's just your party and the chef. There's nobody else!

Kitty Gibson

I saved all year year to take my boyfriend here for his birthday, and it was well worth it. The meal was beautiful and delicious. Everything tasted so fresh, and Chef Saito was so kind, and made us feel welcomed. This is splurge, but it is a very special place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Omakase

Noah J.

I'd give this place a 10/5 if I could. I just moved to Seattle after 10 years in NYC and have had my fair share of omakase / kaiseki experiences in New York, Seattle, and Korea ranging anywhere from $85 - $300 per person. Before I get into the food, the thing that distinguishes Chef Akiyoshi Saito's restaurant from other places is his tangible dedication to his craft. There seems to be focus and purpose in everything that he does, as you can tell that he tries his absolute best to maintain the tradition and authenticity he grew up with in Japan learning from his own father since he was a child. This does not feel like something the chef set up just to make money nor does it feel like he's just chasing fame. Rather, he evokes a desire to share with his audience an authentic high-quality Japanese sushi experience. As for the food, it is rare to see almost the majority of fish, vegetables, and other ingredients coming from Japan unless you pay $$$$ for it. You'll often see uni from santa barbara and a mix of fish from mexico or the United States, but the majority of the food served at this restaurant is from Japan (including vegetables and garnish) solely because the quality and taste of the food is better from Japan. The components he adds to each fish is delicate and not overpowering, but complements each fish in a great way to bring out the unique flavor of each piece. From the appetizers, to the home made miso soup, to the dessert, there was not a single piece I was disappointed in. All in all, I recommend that everyone check out Chef Akiyoshi Saito. He only serves maximum 8 people a day and it's also rare to receive such an intimate omakase experience as this price point as well. 10/5 recommend.

N P

This was hands down, the best sushi I have ever tasted. The best service I've ever experienced for Sushi as well. Every single dish left me rolling the taste around, trying to prolong the savoring of every bite. Fish that I was not particularly fond of from previous experiences elsewhere were served, and I was blown away with how good it all was. I never thought that I would have told everyone how delicious Mackerel was, but I sure did after eating Sai's impressive creations.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Dan Riley

Hole in the wall. Ok for taquerias, not a good sign for sushi places. Was really rushed, only people there and chef wasn't really that into it. Food was just ok and was really pricey for what you got.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 3

Zabir Hoque

The food and atmosphere was very nice, but it's a bit too expensive.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Sharon Provins

I can't express how much I loved the abalone with abalone liver sauce. It was different and amazing. The food is yummy and we enjoyed a lovely dinner with close friends. It's the perfect quiet atmosphere to dine and spend time with the people you love without distraction...and with super delish food.

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