"This tiny omakase place on Capitol Hill first achieved fame for being so good it made the Seattle Times restaurant critic tear up. But you’re more likely to be laughing than crying at Keiji Tsukasaki’s counter. The former DJ cheerfully ditches the air of mystique some highly skilled sushi chefs seem to cultivate. He’ll drink a beer while he’s working, tell you which sake to drink with which course (and refill your glass with a heavy hand), all while abso-fucking-lutely wowing you with his food. The menu changes with the seasons but past highlights include sea snails served in their shells, toro topped with mushrooms for added depth of flavor, and a monkfish liver so rich and velvety it’s literally a dessert course. Know before you go: There are tables here, but you really should try to sit at the counter to get the chef Keiji experience." - Harry Cheadle