Tag Archives: Seattle

All Posts, Food

Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki Restaurant in Seattle

A few months ago, my friends introduced me to one of their favorite restaurants in Seattle, Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki. “Kaiseki” refers to a traditional multi-course Japanese cuisine, prepared with rigorous attention to detail.

The menu at the restaurant changes daily, based on the season and weather. And the restaurant only has nine seats, which makes the reservation hard to get. We had to reserve two months in advance.

Once you are seated, you can watch the chef and sous-chefs prepare each of the courses right in front of you while you eat.

My first time experience at the Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki was wonderful. The food was delicious and the service was great.

I enjoyed eating all the food at Taneda Sushi in Kaisei. However, I have several personal favorites which I don’t mind to eat them all the time.

My personal favorites are the sashimi and uni served over the sea urchin shell, amaebi and uni roll, caviar, uni, Kobe beef over rice, and Kobe beef with meatball.

See below for the images I took during dinner.

Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki - Uni
(Uni and sashimi served on a sea urchin shell – the ingredients were very fresh; they literally melt in my mouth as I ate them.)

TanedaSushi_Amaebi_Amaebi and Uni Roll
(Amaebi and Uni roll — sweet shrimp and sea urchin — in a close-up image – this is so delicious! I think eating just one is not enough.)

Taneda Sushi - Special Mix
(Special mix of caviar, uni, and Kobe beef over rice – this course has all of my favorite ingredients. The portion is small, but rich in taste.)

Taneda Sushi Kobe Beef

(Kobe beef and meatball with special sauce – the Kobe beef is so tender. )

Below are more food, in addition to my personal favorites.

Taneda Sush -_Sampling
(Sampling of delicious bites.)

Taneda Sushi Assorted Sushi
(Assorted sushi.)

Taneda Sushi - Chef Preparing our Food
(Watching Chef Taneda preparing our food.)

I am going back to the Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki with a group of friends tomorrow night. Just by looking at the pictures of the food I took during my last visit to the restaurant makes me hungry. I can’t wait for the dinner tomorrow.

Since the food at the Taneda Sushi in Kaiseki restaurant changes seasonally, I am looking forward to see what’s new. I hope they will still offer my favorite dishes. (Stay tuned for my follow-up post on my returning to the restaurant.)

All Posts, Food, Travel

My Dinner at Canlis Seattle Restaurant

Canlis is one of Seattle’s oldest restaurants. It was established in 1950 and has been popular ever since then. Canlis has an elegant but relaxed feel — not really traditional and not really modern. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Canlis is unique, at least for Seattle.

I went there with two of my friends on a Friday, for no special reason other than we all like food. None of us had ever been to Canlis before. My bottom line is that I liked Canlis a lot and I’d go back again for some special occasion.

I had a four course meal that started with scallops, seared with a vegetable presentation. Next, my friends and I shared an order of raw oysters. They were very fresh and tasty. Next came a mixed green salad. It was better than the average mixed green salad but it wasn’t amazing in any way. Then we all shared a pate foie gras. It was excellent and it came with really good toast — some of the best I’ve ever had.

CanlisOysters

CanlisSalad

My main course was duck, which I shared. The duck was whole roasted with a honey glaze. The entire duck was presented at the table, then taken to the back where it was carved and then retuened to our table for serving. I’ve had duck quite a few times, and this was probably the best duck I’ve had. I’ve had good duck at some Chinese restaurants too, but the preparation was so different I can’t really compare the Canlis duck to any of the Chinese duck dishes I’ve had.

CanlisWholeDuck

CanlisPrepared Duck

We finished our evening with coffee and dessert. For dessert I had a vanilla souffle. It was good — maybe the second best souffle I’ve ever had (next to a souffle at Joel Rubicon in Las Vegas).

CanlisSouffle

CanlisChocolate

All in all, I was very happy with my Canlis dinner experience. It was quite pricey, but that was expected and I felt I got good value. If you’re ever in the Seattle area and are in the mood for dinner at an upscale restaurant, consider Canlis.

All Posts, Food, Travel

The New Upscale “Starbucks Reserve” Cafe in Seattle

I live in the Seattle, Washington area. Seattle is home to several large companies, including Starbucks. Starbucks is constantly trying new products and new approaches. This weekend (as I write this post), Starbucks debuted a new upscale cafe called Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in downtown Seattle (the Capitol Hill area), not far from their original cafe.

StarbucksReserveExterior2

On their first Sunday, I decided to visit. I went there about 3:00 in the afternoon. Parking anywhere near downtown Seattle is always a mess, but I was able to find a lot with an open stall not too far away.

The place was packed and there was a line out the door. Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait too long and got inside soon. Once inside, I found myself in a waiting foyer area. A host explained the history of the building and the layout of the store. I waited in the foyer only a few minutes. Then I was allowed to enter the actual cafe. Inside, I first walked around a bit and checked out their merchandise; many items are available only at this one store.

StarbucksReserveMerchandise
Starbucks Reserve Merchandise

Next, I looked at the roasting area, where coffee beans are actually roasted. Then I got in line to order some coffee and pastries. Many of the drinks are unique to this store. I ordered an unusual iced coffee drink. It wasn’t bad, but I don’t think I’d order it again. Instead, I’ll probably order a standard coffee item.

I also ordered a potato scone and a macaroon cookie to eat. After ordering, I found a seat. My drink and food order was delivered to me. I was a bit surprised that they found me — I’m not sure how they did that.

StarbucksReserveFood
Starbucks Reserve Drinks and Pastry

My bottom line is that the new Starbucks Reserve is a great place for friends to meet and get together. My guess is that the “Reserve” concept will be a success and you might see these establishments where live, in the no-too-distant future.