One of the most creative and welcoming restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of eating at. The food and service are always at the highest level and they host fun pop up events with exciting chefs and winemakers from other cities as well as cool up and coming local folks. And literally everyone who works there is just incredibly kind and cool. I love this place. read more

The new hot spot. Tomo has lots of potential and is on the right path. What makes it great. Service was exceptional. The sommelier was especially good. Lots of attention. Cocktails were also five stars. Desert was also exceptional. We had a rhubarb crisp type desert that had amazing layers of flavor. On top of that we had a dish made with shaved ice. Trust me - get it. Where it has a ways to go. A couple of the courses were luke warm. A crab dish was brought out and we were told "careful the bowls are hot". They were room temperature. The price points are robust. And they set an expectations of near perfection but it's not there yet. Would I go back? Yes, because I believe they get it and will improve. For now its very good. Not excellent but that's okay. read more

I had heard about Tomo and all of the accolades it has received for the past couple of years and finally had a chance to visit. We had an early reservation on a Friday around 6:00 p.m. so it wasn't too crowded then. I did some research on what to order and the consensus was the chicken and the steam burgers so that's what we went with. I hate to give a negative review but unfortunately have to. The food was interesting, not bad, not great, but I would not order either dish again. The steam burgers were something you could make at home pretty easily and the chicken, to me tasted more like a fish and chips batter with honey, but with chicken instead. Not bad by any means, but not amazing either. But food aside, the things that stood out negatively were 1) very slow service, took forever to get a glass of wine and orders in; 2) we ordered what thought would be a nice $100 bottle of red wine which took more than 20 minutes to arrive and the server said that it had to be cooled down which really made us wonder how they store their wines (the wine was cooked and we should not have accepted it); and 3) they automatically add a 22% service fee to the bill, which I don't have any issues with, but the service was very slow and the server didn't tell us about the automatic gratuity. I usually don't pay much attention to the details of a bill, but I almost tipped an additional 20% on top of their 22% but caught my mistake last minute. I think most restaurants should remind customers if they are adding an automatic tip, which I have no problem paying just so they don't tip twice. I will go back to Tomo again, but will order different menu items and hopefully the service will improve. read more

No problem with the price as most tasting menus we have had start higher, but after eating at Tomo I can see that there is a lot of work to do at this level. We thought it was weird that the snack/amuse bouche in the beginning was so oily (tempura). Vegetable dishes were enjoyable and familiar. The last course before dessert was some kind of slippery teriyaki beef that tasted more like those complimentary tin meals on an overseas flight when all the other choices have been taken. It was paired with a bowl of sesame bok choy and the most bitter endive salad. read more

Tomo - Best Dish of the Night (Mussels) - New American Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Food - over seasoned, food was either too salty or too sour?! Steamed egg - enoki mushroom on top was overly sour, dish didn't come together well bread and butter - this was solid manila clans - sauce too salty, rice cakes were stuck together, which is a little nit picky on my end BUT for the price you're paying... Dungeness crab rice - a little confused by this dish, vision sounded great, execution wasn't there. Still too sour?? Wish there was more crab for a $24 surcharge Kakigori - this was probably the best dish after the bread, tart and citrus forward Price - not worth the price at all, for food and service, you would expect a lot more than this. Not to plus another restaurant but we went to Canlis the night after, total bill was very similar, food and service greatly surpassed Tomo. Service - not attentive, our water cups sat empty for over half the time we were there read more

Food: I did the set menu, not many good things to say about any of the dishes. The profile of the dishes are on the tart side and not balanced. 1. Tomato dish: would have appreciated it if they had use heirloom tomatoes because it would atleast add more texture. 1/5 2. Grilled squash: some pieces on my friends plate were too burnt, atleast the corn was balancing out the tartness a bit. 3/5 3. Albacore katsu: nothing special about this dish or sauce. Fish was good quality. 1/5 4 stuffed Ck wings: stuffing should have had some element of added texture. Cooked okay 2/5 5. Crab rice: again sour and nothing special. 2/5 6. Pork collar: this part of the pork is more fattier than other, so it would be better if it was more cooked. Meat was cooked medium rare so the fat was very hard to cut considering the type of steak knife they gave us. Sauce was good 3/5 Price: not too pricy but not cheap. Would expected it to taste better. Automatic 22% sc Service: service was great. Ambiance: good Overall would not be back. read more

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Highly Recommended! This isn't for everyone. First, let's address the most common complaints. Sticker shock and ambiance. If you can get past those, you'll experience a laid back innovative journey your taste buds will thank you for! The 5 course Prix Fixe menu updates frequently. From the lamb, salad and dessert everything we had was perfectly balanced. Salty, sweet, umami, and bitter. Our favorite was the Chocolate sorbet dessert... delicious Looking forward to trying more unique dishes in the future! Hopefully a spicy infused one. Tip: snag the Kakigori (additional shareable dessert) read more

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We'd been wanting to go to Tomo for quite some time. The reviews are mixed, but we were excited to try it when we saw an opening. Alas, it was not worth the money. The hon shimeji mushrooms with daikon in black vinegar were a good start. The rest of the meal was good, but below expectations for a tasting menu at this price. We had beets with sunchoke and yogurt, cabbage with apple and pistachio (the focaccia for an additional price was very good as was the broth), drunken squab, and orange posset. We had hoped to finish strong with a supplementally priced ($20) dessert: Kakigori (shaved ice) with Yuzu, Coffee and Vanilla. Maybe another flavor would be good, but this did not work. We left over half of it. read more

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TOMO's set menu is delightful - packed and filled with various flavors. Loved not knowing what was coming next and seeing what creative way they interpret each dish. So fun and tasty - highly recommend getting a Ressie and wait until you number is called for this great treat!!! read more

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Intriguing new spot in west seattle, with Asian influences. Overall great experience with high quality ingredients, and attentive service. Foods is a rotating seasonal menu and lefttothe chef's choice. Bites were inconsistent in several dishes, with some tasting saltier than others. Ambiance is very modern minimalist and clean, typical of Japanese asthetics. Bathroom is a highlight with the Japanese bidet toilets. Reservations are taken through tock where you pay for the meal in advance. Gratuity of 22% is included. read more

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Sigh. Our dinner last night was not very pleasant. A couple of dishes were sub par and one item was delivered after we had finished eating, and were told we couldn't cancel the order. Our meal cost almost $400, for four diners, including a 22% service charge. But the service was terrible. The server was uninformed about the wine list. Used plates and glasses were not removed from the table. And when we expressed our disappointment with an item, he looked offended. While he told us the item would be removed from the check, it was not and we were too discouraged to pursue the matter further. Sadly, we won't be going back. read more

Host: 2 Waiter/sommelier: 2 Food: 3; uninspired and unremarkable Ambience: 3; property, decor The resto is discretely or purposefully non-descriptive. No lit business signs and only a small name on the door. read more

Dined at Tomo for the first time in August 2022. We were lucky enough to be seated in the last booth of the restaurant which meant that we had a direct view of the kitchen and food creation process. What a treat! We enjoyed the five course tasting menu and added the supplemental dessert--a must in our opinion. All of the courses were delightful, but I think the starter (fresh cheese, tomato, nardello pepper) and desserts (cherry, honey, spruce, almond & Kakigori: sarsaparilla, plum, ling hi mui) were my favorites. The creativity of the dishes is part of what makes this a truly memorable experience. There is a wine pairing that you can add for +68pp, but we chose to order a cocktails and a couple of glasses of wine instead. I did not see anyone around me ordering the pairing, so I'm interested in going back to give that a try. read more

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Had a delicious first experience at Tomo in April 2022. The restaurant has a smaller footprint and reservations were booking quickly so I made sure to book as soon as possible. It took a bit to find street parking a few blocks away but it was free. Tomo offers a tasting menu that changes often. The chefs get creative and make use of in-season ingredients. Our meal began with an amuse-bouche of potato croquette in a nice creamy sauce. Then came the dehydrated/rehydrated carrots in aquachile sauce with flavors of strawberry and coriander. The texture of the carrots was almost like gummy bears (in a good way) and the sauce was so good. Who thinks of this combination? Love the creativity. Next was a dish of white beans with tender mini squid in another yummy sauce. Really enjoyed that dish! My favorite of the night came next: roasted sunchokes with yuzu bearnaise sauce, Swiss chard, and salsify. Flavor bomb. I've been obsessed with finding sunchokes ever since. Next came steak with celeriac and for dessert a brown sugar and bay laurel sorbet with rhubarb and buckwheat crumble. At the end of the meal came a couple pieces of dark chocolate. My guest and I were really impressed with the inventive menu and flavors. We'll be back! read more

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COCKTAILS - 5 stars The cocktails were amazing. I was unexpectedly surprised by the great flavor and good balance of ingredients. Cocktails I normally would not have ordered were very tasty. FOOD - 3.5 stars I think my expectations were set a little too high as I was a little underwhelmed by the flavor and texture of the food. I have had many tasting menus before and have typically been blown away by the flavors. also, I am typically super full after a chefs tasting menu, but we went out for a second dinner after this. SERVICE - 5 stars The service was spectacular. read more

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Very excellent food and service. I am trying to understand why the ratings are 3.7 as of November 2023. It is going to be a more adventurous take than other places. It was perfectly fine and what I was expecting. We had the set menu: 1. Dungeness Crab & Corn Chawanmushi: An excellent small dish with great flavor. As with any shellfish, be mindful of the shell. 2. Beets, Amazake Yogurt, Shiso - Thinly sliced beets with a nice balance of yogurt and shiso for the sauce 3. Albacore, Savoy Cabbage, Preserved Tomato, Currants: The cabbage absorbs the sauce and flavor 4. Duck, Chioggia Radicchio, Red Onion, Vin Jaune: Perfectly cooked (We were guessing it cooked sous vide with a sear finish on a grill) 5. Blueberry, Vanilla, Kombu, Rice Vinegar: I wondered how it would work with rice vinegar, but it turned out nicely. 6. (Not part of the set menu) Added Sea Lettuce House rolls: Great umami flavor; a great idea to add it to house rolls. Notes: * Service charge is 22%. * Corkage fee is $50 for a 750ml bottle read more

My wife and celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary last week and chose Tomo to celebrate. For a one-of-a-kind, special night, it was worth the (steep) price of admission. Tomo is the kind of unique dining experience where you truly can expect the unexpected. From the prix-fixe menu ($90 per person) that changes by the week - and often by the day - to the sultry and darkly romantic interior nestled between an adult video store and a divey pizzeria, be prepared for an avant-garde foodie feast for the eyes and palette. Owner and chef Brady Ishiwata Williams has a Hall of Fame culinary pedigree that includes stints at a two-Michelin starred restaurant in New York and head chef at Seattle's iconic Canlis restaurant (think Spago Northwest) where he earned a James Beard award. He opened Tomo (a name that honors his grandmother) two years ago and, pandemic aside, the place has been one of the most prized and difficult reservations to grab in Seattle. Reservations are made online and if you want a prime time meal, you need to make those reservations a good couple months in advance. We chose a first seating (5pm) on a Friday and were promptly seated directly across from the open kitchen which, for us, was a treat. We enjoy the spectacle of a professional kitchen putting their art on a plate. The five-course dinner starts with an amuse bouche of summer squash jam and blossom on a grain cracker. A pleasant palette tease. Course one was a small bowl of fresh, creamy cheese (like a super light, liquidy mozzarella) covering heirloom cherry tomatoes and infused with a delightful smokiness from a nardello pepper. A perfect summer starter. The second course was our favorite featuring a fist-size punch of succulent beef tartare atop a golden, crispy tostada. Balancing the protein was a handful of tangy mustard greens that almost had a sinewy seaweed texture. The drizzle of onion jam and fennel purée elevated the beef to many heavenly bites. We chose the four-glass wine pairing ($68) and enjoyed a Riesling-Gewurztraminer sip by Jos Meyer, but could have done without the metallic Gamay Beaujolais. Better to just order by the glass and choose your favorite blend. Course three was its first foray into the diningsphere as we were told the chef had just created this dish in the past week. It featured a stacked layer of house made fazzoletti pasta sheets with crisp fava beans and smothered in a Elon Musk-rich taleggio sauce. Clearly several sticks of butter were harmed in the making of this dish. Less would have been more. The final savory course was a lightly battered and fried sablefish katsu with spring onions floating in a shallow pool of roasted garlic oil. Absolutely mouth-melting. The delicate dessert was a short bowl of creamy, house made icy cream with Washington grown bing cherry halves with a carmel-y crisp and almond slivers. A perfectly sweet end to an Epicurious adventure. read more

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Although difficult to get a reservation it is possible. It's a super cute and intimate place but definitely a sketchy area so get there a little early to find parking on the main street. The staff is really nice and make you feel welcome. The food is good. Some things shine more than others. Get the supplement which is the shaved ice. Worth it. Left feeling full but not overly stuffed which is a perfect way to eat dinner. read more

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Fantastic experience. Was a little scared after reading some of the reviews but I thought it was a brilliant meal. I know the menu changes frequently so that may have something to do with it. Again with all these buttholes complaining about parking. Not helpful at all. I've loved the chef's food from his time at Canlis and his current iteration was indeed, delicious. The beans and sea bream was so homey, so special. It reminded me of winters in northern Spain eating fabada. The blood sausage was such a nice surprise. It was spiced perfectly and was everything I had been wanting. Everything was great, would love to come back. Get the kakigori- that was fun but peppercorn ice cream with rhubarb? Home run. read more

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I've been to my fair share of prix fixe restaurants, but Tomo is now one of my new favorites in the Seattle area. Each dish was absolutely delightful -- fresh, flavorful, perfectly seasoned, creative -- I could not stop raving about it to my friends afterwards! I would definitely come here again. read more

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Believe the hype!!! Tomo is the brain child of Chef Brady Williams (formerly of Canlis fame). And located in one of the most unlikely places in Seattle - White Center, which is definitely not known as a culinary destination. It's no secret I'm a fan of just about everything Japanese, and the space is modern, with Japanese touches throughout. Oh, it has a speakeasy vibe, in that there's no sign! We started off from the cocktail menu. I ordered the Miss Nick: Apple Brandy, Tayberry, Lemon and egg white. While the hubby ordered the Overnight Celebrity: Japanese whisky, Black Tea, Lemon Sherbert, Mint. The cocktails were crafted beautifully by Greg, our bartender extraordinaire! And don't sleep on his Old Fashioned - it's probably one the best I've ever tasted! As for the food, as much as we wanted to order EVERYTHING on the menu, we settled on Grilled Figs, Canary Melon, Pork Rib Chop for 2, Lamb Belly, and Onion Chawanmushi. The grilled figs, peach shrub were a good start with a nice char, and they still retained their juice and sweetness. We had the Canary Melon, Speck, Urfa Pepper next - the Canary Melon was refreshing with the Speck providing that saltiness and savory component that left you wanting more. The Pork Rib Chop for 2, Kale, Daikon, Sea Lettuce Butter - OMG, the fat cap on the pork chop was deliciously flavorful and not fatty at all! I love the texture from the kale and the daikon added some crunch, and what the heck is Sea Lettuce Butter?! IDK, but give me more!!! We were already full by this time, but next up was the Lamb Belly, Nardello, Yogurt, fried egg - the belly was tender with crispy skin, and who doesn't love a fried egg?! The Onion Chawanmushi was not the traditional Chawanmushi you would have at restaurants, but it still had the same custard consistency, with a savory onion flavor! All the dishes had umami!!! *Chef's Kiss* We couldn't even bring ourselves to order any dessert, we were just too stuffed! So, here's the scoop on getting a much coveted spot, especially since they're already booked out over a month, you can do walk-in seating at the bar on a first come first serve basis. Honestly, I L-O-V-E sitting at the bar, the conversations, and making fast friends just adds to the experience. Sitting next to us was a couple, and I follow the husband on Instagram as he does fabulous artwork all over the Seattle area! Definitely visit the restroom (yes, I did just mention the restroom), it has those fancy, heated, automated Japanese toilets... Anyway, I digress, you don't come to Tomo to check out the restroom, but to enjoy the the cuisine, well crafted cocktails, exceptional service, and if you make friends along the way, that just makes for a better experience! read more

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Wow Tomorrow is a very unique Seattle dining experience. It's a tasting menu which changes seasonally. I thought the service and food were incredible and absolutely worth the price. First off, I loved the drinks. Their signature dirty martini was so good and whatever they did with those olives was mouthwatering. The sidecar was also great We started with a croquette starter which was great, followed by dehydrated carrots this delicious red sauce. I saw other reviewers thought the pace was very slow between plates, but I certainly preferred this and didn't want to feel like I was being rushed through. Next the squid and bean dish was incredible! I don't know what was in that sauce but it had amazing flavor. My favorite dish was the sunchoke with chard. A truly unique blend of flavor and texture. The Tri-tip steak was my least favorite and was just ok but had good flavor. The semifreddo was super good and a great end to the night The restaurant has an really cool atmosphere and the waitstaff were knowledgeable and friendly. Would definitely come back for special occasions read more

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I was here for the November 2021 dinner menu. It was around $100-120 per person for the 5 course menu with additional order of supplement dessert and tea. All the savory course taste amazing, especially the weathervane scallop. They also made vegan dish (chilacayote squash, eggplant) very flavorful. Something you wouldn't imagine vegan dish can taste like. This was someplace that might WOW you. The dessert is the weakest part. Both me and my partner think we would happier with lady yum macaroon or the mochi from Tokara. There is some weird taste (probably from the sorrel) with kakigori. The quince, chestnut dessert taste very dull. I saw other table didn't finish it as well. Skip the supplement dessert and order more savory dish. I would totally recommend someone to come here for the tasting menu and I hope they can develop better dessert next time. read more

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Came here on the 2nd opening night with some friends and wow this place is amazing! We were instantly greeted with the hostess who sat us down and explained the menu. There's the regular option or the vegetarian option, our party had a mix of both. A 5 course meal, with every intricate meal coming out with so much flavor. The lamb, tomatoes, and dessert was my favorite! For drinks, our hostess introduced us to their wine specialist who helped us narrow a decision on the best wine choice for our value and what paired well with our meals. You could tell he was so passionate about wine and was very excited to explain the options to us with such expertise. I also wanted a cocktail with anything tequila/mezcal and the bartender mixed up a cocktail that was one of the best smoky drink with a hint of sweetness taste to it. Highly recommend coming here for the amazing experience! Great ambiance, food, and great company! read more

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Awful. Drinks ok (whisky cocktail, mezcal cocktail), food mediocre, service APPALLING. From the start the servers were unbelievably rude, to the point where I assume the restaurant has deliberately decided to make bad service an affectation. Shockingly bad. Don't waste your time here. read more

Love Tomo. Super chill and elevated vibe, and so great to see a place like this in White Center. We did a la carte, and favorite thing we had was the lamb crudo. They make a proper Manhattan, something hard to find even in NYC. Service was great and beyond the food and drinks, I loved the interior design, graphics, and music. This is the kind of place where people are both good at what they do and they love what they are doing. Dont believe the haters. Im surprised it has a cumulative 3.5 star review. Sure, it's pricey, but the cost isnt outrageous compared to places of a similar calibre in other cities. This is for a special occassion. I love the location -- I grew up in nearby Renton and love that a place like this is accessible to people in the South End, a demographic I felt was well-represented at the restaurant. Their website plays up the "grittiness" a little too much (they use an element of the next door porn shop's signage in their own logo), but I love White Center and the other restaurants and businesses in the area. Tomo is a great addition. read more

I wish I could say I loved this restaurant, but I just didn't. Food was meh, in my opinion. I didn't particularly love anything I was served - and for the price, I should have. What I really didn't appreciate was the rushed service, especially given the price. We ordered the price fixe meal as well as the wine pairing. We started with a cocktail. Everything felt rushed - like they were pushing to turn the table. We never finished our cocktails and our first wine was poured. We never finished our first glass of wine, and the second glass was poured - the whole meal went like this. I found it frustrating and ridiculous and anything but relaxing. We'd barely finish one plate, and the next was being plopped down. It was as though the servers didn't even notice what they were doing? The chef may harken from Canlis, but the restaurant is not being well managed. I won't be back. read more

We've been to Tomo twice and did the lunch/patio menu one time and the tasting menu the other. The service and food was on point both times, and the creativity of the chef really shines through. The prices are also very reasonable for the quantity and quality of the food. Its price point makes it a great option for both a special occasion and just a night out to splurge. Getting a reservation can be a little challenging, but it will be worth it. read more

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Not a good value. I left feeling angry paying $450+ for a mediocre mid-tier meal (Valentine's Day prefix for me and my wife + 3 drinks) and the 22% service charge put it over the top. read more

Service: fantastic, 10/10. Super fun, warm, knowledgeable staff who absolutely killed it. We had a great time bantering with them. Cocktails and mocktails: delicious, well-crafted and balanced. Food: Presentation was beautiful with every dish. 2/5 dishes were perfect, balance of salt/fat/acid was spot on and we LOVED. I will say one of the dishes was divine because of the sauce, but we did find the sauce a bit inconsistent with the rest of the menu. That said, the other 3/5 dishes were lacking in balance even though the presentation was beautiful. Seasoning was off, needed acid and salt to bring it back but did not deliver. The tri-tip was sinewy and extremely difficult to cut, think entire table shaking, putting cocktails in peril, as we all tried cutting at the same time. Sauce was uninspired and seemed out of place on the menu. Allergy sensitivity: very good, they accommodated gluten free and spice levels so easily. Dessert: a bit underwhelming in terms of balance, taste, and texture for the entire table. Satiation: everyone had tacos or mullitas from La Fondita across the way after, though definitely expect this of Seattle pre-fixe meals, never quite leave full. In sum, I've had better and worse meals for the price point. We all agreed we would give them another shot, particularly given how hard-hit so many restaurants have been by COVID. We might have caught them on an off, understaffed night in the back of house and that happens. And like I said, the service was so good it's worth another shot. read more

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This place does not deserve your money... not at all...I ordered the fish entree that came with a side of braised cabbage. This dish came out very cold, both the fish and the cabbage as if it had been sitting for 20 minutes. On top of that, when you serve fish at $$$$ restaurant, you should really train your staff to inform the guests that there are bones in the fish and to be careful... that is just common courtesy, urgh. We also came here to celebrate my husband's birthday... he wanted to order the steak. Our waiter told us that it would take an hour to prepare, which was pretty significant sized, so the steak dish would cost more than their tasting menu, which was $110 per person... I'm so sorry to say that this was a very disappointing dining experience... don't believe the hype about this place... It's not worth your time or money. read more

7 out of 5 stars for sure. Food is next level in both presentation and taste. There was a prefixed menu and we added two appetizers. Potato beet cakes, crab rice, halibut, sweet potatoes, asparagus and desserts. Each plate leveled up in deliciousness levels as they arrived to the table. Super. Good. Food. *Mic drop here*. Cocktails were well made and complex. Mixed drinks are on point and get the job done. It is worth it to treat yourself to this experience. Desserts were yummy and are the perfect punctuation for the food experience. Ambience is chill and welcoming. Lots of neighborhood parking. Staff were attentive and friendly. Tomo is a well thought out restaurant with a comfortable vibe. Highly recommend. read more

As a mixed Japanese American, I was very excited to try Tomo and taste Chef Brady's take on JA-inspired dishes. Ambiance and service were amazing, plating was beautiful, I loved the NA cocktail offerings and my friends enjoyed the selection of orange wines. However, we all agreed the flavors were a little off and unbalanced. Every dish had a vinegar aspect and it became overwhelming after a while. I did appreciate the coffee and yuzu kakigori for dessert though - that was an unexpected flavor combo that I enjoyed. The food didn't win us over but the drinks did! read more

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Not sure why the reviews are low on yelp. This restaurant is amazing . The dishes are definitely on the innovative side and it works ! As a set ,$86 is pretty affordable for seattle. I don't mind paying 22% tip as the people work there are so friendly . read more

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Dang, what a disappointment. Like other reviewers, I was extremely excited to get a coveted reservation. It was booked over a month in advance and a Thursday was all we could get. This restaurant is HOT! Overall, the dishes were uninspired and the service lacked. The vibe is cool and I love the location in white center as a showcase of our city as more then just a few high end neighborhoods. The best dishes we had by far were the amuse bouche and the Kakigori (an additional item not included in the pre fix). Our salad course did not have a good balance of sauce to radicchio which made for a very bitter salad. The albacore dish could have been so much more special if only they'd let the albacore shine - with the intensity of the puttanesca, it overpowered the delicate albacore. The most glaring issue was the squab that arrived to our table lukewarm. The fact that our 4th dish arrived nearly cold isn't all that surprising given how poorly timed the service was in general. Considering the menu is fixed I don't have much sympathy for waiting nearly 45 minutes for our first course. The other issue I found was that there was never any description of the dishes given (neither in advance when we first sat down or when the dishes were delivered). They were plunked down at our table with only the title from the menu recited. This became especially problematic for my dining companion who had indicated a particular ingredient she doesn't eat in advance which unfortunately was in two of the dishes (you don't know the menu in advance so you can't even time your reservation like at other high end spots like the Herb Farm). The server never explained how my friend's dishes varied from the menu. What she found was that instead of replacing that ingredient with something similar, they would just omit it all together which left her dishes unfinished and flat. It was so disappointing. When she raised the question on the dessert ("what did you do differently for my dish without X ingredient") we saw the staff get incredibly defensive and had no grace at all in simply explaining how her dish was prepared. Something we shouldn't have even had to ask for. The star of the show was the Kakigori but what disappointed us was that the server never explained the dish or when it would be served. When we hadn't seen it after finishing dessert we shrugged it off assuming it had simply been forgotten. But then it showed up as this enormous dessert - wish I'd known so I could have saved more room for it!! Honestly, the whole thing felt very amateur and not refined - definitely not the "exceptional dining experience" that they claim. Two stars for a cool vibe, generous wine pours, the amuse bouche and the kakigori (which really did blow my mind, it was incredibly unique and delicious). Sadly I would not recommend Tomo. read more

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We were looking forward to our dinner having "scored" a reservation for this restaurant. My advice: skip it. Pros: excellent service - friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgeable (food and wine pairing), hence the second star. Cons: food was uninspired and quite mediocre, and the tuna dish was almost inedible.The second worst dish was the small salad, which was similar to that of a much less rated restaurant. The only course of the five that was enjoyable was the small dessert. Only two of the wines were good, with one of the worst being paired with tuna primarily because of its geographic juxtaposition with the sea: the mountains. In addition, we were seated a few feet from the cleaning zone of the kitchen, which was separated from us by flimsy shreds of fabric. Aromas of cleaning products wafted through our meal. read more

I was so excited to try Tomo after an over month long wait I did extra squats the day of in anticipation. The overall experience did not live up to my personal expectations though. The place is very small and servers were not wearing masks. The ambiance is a bit confusing (maybe I was expecting more fine dining?) - loud pop music with tables so close to the wall that the server had to pull out the table to seat me. It wasn't my day because the table snubbed my toes after the server pushed it back in... The food was well thought out - I could tell effort was put in, but the flavor palate just wasn't for me. Of the six dishes I tried, not one made me go - YES! Worth it!! I think my favorite was the salad with tiny breadcrumbs and fish roe (summer lettuces, bottarga, mint). Being from Taiwan I always appreciate bottarga (oohitsi) in a dish but it didn't wow me. Maybe I am spoiled since wedding banquets in my hometown usually serve it thick sliced with spring onion and raw turnip or my aunties would grill it and serve it with raw apple slices. I could taste the saltiness and umami in the salad but the bottarga did not shine through. The most confusing dish for me was the Beef tartare. I felt like the mustard leaves on top did not add to the dish. It was a big contrast in terms of texture with the crisp tostada, tender raw beef, and sinewy greens but not in an enjoyable way for me. I usually like my greens but here it was a bit acerbic. The servers were very nice and the bathroom is also very nice. Considering the bathroom I would rate 2.5/5 stars. I really appreciated the effort, just couldn't make pals with Tomo. read more

Living near White Center, I've wanted to frequent this place for a long time and ventured one evening with my fiancé for her birthday. Well, we were both blown away, dish after dish, we were amazed by the quality and the flavors in each. They all built on top of each other and it was truly only of the finer eating experiences I've had in Seattle. Highly, highly recommend. read more

We have been on a string of restaurant adventures recently trying to get a sense and a taste of all the great culinary talent in the area. Many of you will have heard of Tomo by now particularly because of its James Beard nod recently. There is no doubt that Brady Williams is a talented chef. He and his team here at Tomo really present a wonderful experience for those looking to scratch that itch of experiencing great food. Many will know of Brady from his work at Canlis where he was executive chef and the winner of many accolades including James Beard. He and his team have now opened up this incredible tribute to fine dining in the PNW earning praises left and right - for good reason. This food is simply outstanding... and not just the food, but drinks, wine pairings and dessert all come together incredibly well. Of course, like all of Seattle's popular restaurants, reservations are hard to come by. You make reservations for Tomo on Tock and even when they don't have your preferred date and time, I highly suggest that you put your name down for the waitlist. I often list myself for several days and frequently will get information that there are openings which is really great. The restaurant is located in White Center on a street where you wouldn't typically expect fine dining. I like the fact that it's hidden (so well hidden we actually walked past the front door a couple of times arguing with each how we managed to miss it!). Once you walk in, you are transported into a space decorated with a beautiful modern Japanese-esque aesthetic that truly sets the tone for the rest of the evening. The main menu is a 5 course omnivore menu (vegetarian options available upon request). Like all great restaurants, the food will frequently change based upon ingredient availability and what is at its peak flavor. We've been here twice now and both times the dishes have changed. Local greens, seafood and protein accentuate the dish but although there are star ingredients it's the complete plate that really makes you say - WOW! I know some of you may not be fond of seafood at times but if you're looking to expand your horizons, this is a great place to do it. Their seafood is top notch and I'm always eager to go back. There are a few "supplements" that you could add to your prix fixe menu and both times we have been here, they have had the Kakigori which... how to explain? It's a creamy dessert set on top of finely shaved ice. Almost like a deconstructed ice cream with flavors that have changed each time we went. We got one to share between two people and this was truly outstanding. We weren't sure quite what to expect but what we can tell you now in the aftermath of tasting - you must get this! One of the great things about Tomo is the wine selection. Their team has done a marvelous job of featuring wines that are delicious, pairs well with the food and the ambience. What I like most is that each comes with a story of why it was selected and that they are wines featuring regions and vineyards you are less likely to have heard of before. A great way to expand your palate. If you're looking for a place that screams out "The Best of Seattle" here it is. I am excited to share this experience with all those who come into town. In terms of COVID-19 safety, they don't require proof of vaccination or masks but for those who still adhere to these procedures (like myself), I can say that the tables are nicely spaced apart, there's good air circulation in there, and many of the staff still wear masks. Parking is street parking and their website gives a good idea of building landmarks so you can avoid missing their entrance. If you need to communicate with the team, I suggest emailing them (including informing them if you'll be late to your reservation!). read more

We were super excited to try Tomo out after trying to get a reservation for months, getting one, then waiting another month for the day to arrive. Bonus for being in White center, walking distance to our house. We enjoyed the clean, minimalist, and dark aesthetic, and the staff and servers were on point as you'd expect with a higher-end restaurant. No complaints there. We don't have a lot of high-end options in West Seattle, especially in the south end, and Tomo should be in a league of its own, especially for its price point and prestige in the kitchen. I also know food and drink can be very subjective, and my wife and I are not foodies by any stretch, but I have had many transformative experiences with food and drink across the spectrum of price and location. In our opinion, Tomo fell very short of delivering any WOW! or memorable flavor moments. I know the menu changes, so it may be a bit irrelevant to talk through the dishes, but only one of the dishes, and not even the main, demanded a pause to enjoy the layers, flavors, nuance, and complexity of the dish. The others were cooked and presented with care, but the flavors were well within a known, expected spectrum. Even the two cocktails we tried were not super exciting. One had a nice balanced flavor but the other tasted like I was drinking a shot of that particular liquor, none of the other flavors powered through the alcohol. We also didn't get a sense there was a great knowledge of the cocktails and they we secondary to the meal. I'd expect a bit more guidance on the flavor and timing of the cocktails to elevate the experience. At another restaurant, we ate at, and one I am still bragging about, the server gave us an in-depth lesson on the nuance of Saki, how the process, temperature, and region could impact flavor (rice polishing, who knew!") the best options for pairing through the meal, all at the different price points. On the restaurant front, (and this is totally my opinion) I think a lot of people's experience with Tomo is tied in with coming down to the "scary" White Center to sit in a posh, undiscovered, new, and exciting restaurant. ( It is in fact situated next to an antiquated porn shop). Being inside did feel like we were in a fancy neighborhood in SF or NYC and Tomo is definitely not for most of the people who live down here. Tomo is way too expensive and exclusive. I don't have any issue with this, it's their space to do as they see fit, but since we can walk to Tomo we were arriving with a different perspective of the area and what to expect so this may have dulled our experience a bit. I also feel bad because they included a 22% living wage service charge, to support their employees, which we totally agree with. However, when the signature receipt came, there was a line item for an additional tip. We didn't know what to do if the servers were expecting an additional tip on top of the 22% service fee, and if so, where we expected to leave another $20% + tip. The other times I have encountered this fee it is made clear the fee is in lieu of the tip. As you can imagine, if an additional 20% is expected, this adds a pretty hefty amount to an already large bill. Unfortunately, we only get to experience fine dining maybe once or twice a year. It is not something we can afford often, but feel very fortunate to have the means to splurge even this often. Maybe with the menu always changing, and Tomo trying new things, they will serve transformative dishes and drinks, we just won't be there to experience it. read more