KIWAMI Sushi Bar & Sake House — Restaurant in Kirkland

I have been reluctant to try this six months old Kirkland restaurant, but when I saw the huge menu on-line, I had to try it. It doesn't hurt that it's within walking distance. Since our grandchildren are spending the summer with us, we've had to alter our usual restaurant rotation. I noticed that they had a nice children's menu.

Someone in the kitchen had a little heavy hand with the salt in the Miso Soup and the Sashimi Salad dressing. It wasn't too salty that they were inedible, just that they could have been better. The portion that you get for the side of rice is tiny. That's all for the negatives, the rest is all very positive. The Agedashi Tofu was very tasty. The crispy battered tofu came in a tasty dashi that included daikon oroshi, dried bonito flakes, and green onions. The Hamachi Kama was wonderful. Yellowtail collar used to be a part of the fish that was often thrown away or used for crab bait. It has large flat bones, but hidden within is some wonderfully moist and sweet meat. Seasoned with salt and broiled, its my favorite fish. The raw Hamachi that I had with the Yama-Kake was delicious too. Mountain Potatoes, which are closer relatives to taro than potato, is grated to a poi-like consistency and sliminess. This may be an acquired taste, but for me it brought back childhood memories. I have never seen this served in a restaurant, and it may be enough to bring me back.

We got Children's plates of Chicken Katsu and Chicken Teriyaki. Both were impressively tasty. They tried lots of stuff that they never had before, and they enjoyed most of them, even the Yama-Kake.

They are so conveniently located for us that they'll have to go on our regular...

Kiwami is a great little sushi & sake bar tucked away in downtown Kirkland. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the sushi is delicious. The cocktails truly impress! All of which incorporate sake into the mix and are uniquely creative. They serve more varieties of sake than I've seen anywhere before. Many infused with flavors like lychee and plum, some sparkling. I had the best cocktail I've had in years here! Whatever you do, ask for a plum rim. Sweet, salty, umami deliciousness!

As for the sushi, we had the Hang-Ten & Tarantula rolls, and ate every last one. Their sushi is as good as their cocktails. Very fresh fish in lots of creative combinations. They throw a little spice into many of them with jalepenos and spicy mayo. And it's the perfect amount of spice. So even if you're not usually a spicy food eater you'll probably love them. I haven't tried their sashimi yet, but I bet it's good.

They were busy and short-staffed when we were there on a weekday evening. So the service was slow, but when they got to us I felt taken care of. Part of the reason they were slow is because they really take the time with each table. Our server was apologetic, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu.

For desert they have red bean and vanilla mochi, and a couple other light, yummy desserts.

Parking can be tough. I got lucky and found free 2-hour streetside parking right in front. My date parked in a paid lot around the corner. But...

Awful food, average service.

Miso soup - see photo for the full contents (3 smallest nori shreds I’ve ever seen + 2 micro tofu cubes), very bland and watery.

10-pc sashimi - very short, very thin, the snapper and sockeye were DRY. Horrible value for $27.

Spider roll surprisingly decent.

Chicken karaage - OK. Chicken was tender, batter was overly starchy. Server also didn’t know how to pronounce this dish. Not being petty but seems like something you should know if you work here.

Service - servers were kind, but made a NOT OK decision to ask my date at our table to sign the receipt after I’d given them MY credit card at the bar on my way to the restroom after waiting too long for them to come pick it up. Really bizarre. Don’t ask other people to sign on the payee’s behalf. NGL that one pissed me off.

Restroom - had a 2 sq ft half-inch puddle of water for seemingly no reason. I had to dry my hands by ripping off brown paper towel from a giant, moist, unperforated roll sitting on the counter.

Nasty - to get to the restroom, you either have to duck under a face-level curtain or part it with your hands and it seriously looked like it has never been washed ever....