After reading the other reviews flamng the poor service, I joined just so I could point out the high points of this establishment. Yes, service is sometimes slow and the occasional language barrier is difficult but you simply do not get this kind of authenticity anywhere else in Seattle. Maneki have been there over 20 years with the original owners. Grandma is behind the bar and Jean is still taking reservations. The food is extraordinary. Old school local Japanese dishes fill the menu and the nightly specials board tells you what is fresh. There are very few places n town where you can get live prawn sashimi or live in season Uni. They also have other unique dishes like their ankimo salad and various batayaki. True, this is not a hip shiny joint. True, the service is sometimes spotty. BUT...if you love food and are not engaged by California Rolls or even simply nigiri, this is the place for you. Uncommon food at reasonable prices without all the overdressed hipsters.
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