Itsumono

"At Itsumono, you'll find a relaxed space that has everything from Iron Chef to New Girl playing on TV. You'll also find a short lineup of unlikely mash-ups like tonkatsu tikka masala, loco moco scotch eggs, cheesy dungeness crab arancini doria, and miso soup risotto. This gastropub is mukokuseki-themed, which translates literally to "without nationality," and makes sense why there's biang biang noodle bolognese and scallion pancake birria quesadillas on the same menu. Use this place for a first date alongside drinks and snacks, and if things go well, order more food. If things go extremely well, invite us to your wedding." - aimee rizzo, carlo mantuano, kayla sager riley

"This Japanese gastropub works great for a boisterous last-minute group hang or Happy Hour. You can share things like yuzu cauliflower karaage, nicely seasoned nori tots, or mac salad. Order sparkling sake jelly shots for the table—they are tasty enough to want more than one, but have a low ABV so you’ll still wake up the next morning in one piece. And if you’re lucky, the bartender may even pull out a dinosaur dentist toy from your childhood and make a drinking game out of it." - aimee rizzo, kayla sager riley, gabe guarente

"The Deal: $5 Rainier Tall Boys, $6 Well Drinks And Draft Beer, $8 Chu-Hi, $10 Boilermakers, $10 Cocktails, $3 Off Small Sake Bottles, Discounted Snacks Use this eclectic Japanese gastropub as a place for a first date alongside drinks and terrific small bites. And if things go well, order more food (like the crispy nori tots). If things go extremely well, invite us to your wedding." - aimee rizzo, gabe guarente

"You’re probably coming to this Japantown gastropub for the cocktails or some of the inventive menu entries, like the loco moco Scotch egg or the tonkatsu in tikka masala curry. But don’t let yourself skip past the oysters — not only are they $18 for a half-dozen (a pretty good deal), but they come with chili pepper water mignonette, which adds a dose of Hawaiian heat to an already good oyster." - Mark DeJoy

"This self-proclaimed gastropub is one of Seattle’s buzzier restaurants, but from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, it is also one of the best deals in town. Teriyaki burgers $8 a pop, and while you have to order a drink to get those prices, the drinks are cheap too — $6 for a well cocktail or a draft beer, and $10 for speciality cocktails." - Harry Cheadle