Junkichi Robata Izakaya Seattle

The staff is inviting and helpful, the food is delicious and fresh, and the decor is elegant but not high-brow. I loved it! For me, the location, only one block from the Capital Hill link light rail station was super convenient. The menu is clean-looking and easy to read--and the cover is made from cedar wood, so it smells good, too! The tables look like the can be easily configured in pairs of two or four, plus the bar seating for individuals or small groups that want to watch the chefs work! The food made me and my friends nostalgic for Japan. The sashimi was as tender and umami (meaty) as the best I ever had. The presentation was professional and just slightly whimsical, which is perfect for photo taking! The mixed appetizer plate would be excellent for people bringing friends who need to be gently nudged into Japanese Izakaya cuisine. It includes a few traditional Japanese foods, but also some that are more Western (like raw vegetables and dip). Recommended drinks: whatever sake was in the royal blue bottle with the white label--it was recommended to us, but I didn't catch the name. And, for a mixed drink, the Yuzu Gold. Yuzu is a popular Asian citrus fruit and makes for a sweet liqueur with a slight tang. The rice cracker, bean paste, and strawberry dessert was the only (very small) disappointment. To me, the first bite was slightly stale and too salty from the cracker. Once I tasted the beans and strawberry, though, all the flavors combined beautifully! The flavors were simple but went so well with the last of my sake and cleaned my palette of the meal, so I didn't feel like my breath was exuding soy sauce and sushi. I enjoyed a lot it, after that first bite.