"This sushi joint in West Seattle is as West Seattle as it gets—shaggy, but still kind of fancy. Most importantly, the seafood is top notch and there’s a range of experiences (including seven different omakases) you don’t often find around town. The relaxed dining room with a large aquarium is good for couples sharing rolls and sake, or the occasional family that wants an upgrade from Ivar’s. We like sidling up to the bar for the seven-course Sushi-Ya omakase that has a steady pace, highlighted by melt-in-your-mouth nigiri. And at $65 per person, the Maki omakase provides solid value. Like paddleboarding on the Sound or your first Wordle try, deciding exactly how to do Mashiko can be a little overwhelming at first, but it’s also half the fun." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente