At the end of the last millenium, sushi suddenly became really trendy. This trendiness has diluted the sushi experience, and has been detrimental to Japanese cuisine as a whole. There are half-baked ""sushi joints"" all over the city now, masking their mediocrity by being trying to be hip or stylish or overpriced (see: Wasabi bistro, Liberty, Oasis, etc.). A few years ago, while deciding where to go for dinner, I told some Japanese friends I wanted some ""REAL Japanese food!"". They chose Maneki, and before I knew it, we were treated to a steady parade of izakaya style platefuls, some of the most delicious I've had, with nary a sushi roll in the bunch. This is how the Japanese really eat, sharing plates and talking fast and drinking beers and having a ball. As one of the original establishments of Seattle's long forgotten ""NihonMachi"", it only makes sense that Maneki's would get REAL Japanese food right, with panache. Sugoku oishikatta desu yo!
Pros: authenticity, opportunity to experience Japanese cuisine beyond mere sushi
Cons: sometimes crowded, long waits
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