Waz Japanese Kaiseki Menu

Wa’z Restaurant in Seattle Is an Exquisite Experience

I’m not big on tasting menus. Two memorable events which will remain nameless resulted in a ten hour hallucinogenic state in a motel room talking and not moving, while the other was an out of body experience for two days at home and at work where not much was accomplished. There were no massive amounts of fabulous wine or illegal drugs involved, it was simply too much food. Making a living eating and drinking as I do, I can eat a lot when it’s necessary, but seldom over indulge when it’s not. Hiking around a city trying to sample six or more places in a day requires professional pacing. Sitting still for hours consuming unusual and probably rich fare is a completely different situation.

I agreed to buy two ten-course tasting menus each with a flight of Sakes because it was the birthday wish of the man I love. Nothing more powerful that that, right! My experience with Japanese food is pleasant—and limited. I do know there’s more to it than Sushi and I happy to try it all. What’s odd about this austere, upscale restaurant Wa’z, is that it’s next door to a legendary dive bar that’s loud at any hour and surrounded by other lively hang-out places that are all likely promoted in tourist guides to fun times in Seattle before you go cruising to Alaska. Restaurant leases are tricky business so the chef/owner had his reasons.

We took our places at the counter at 5:00 PM along with eight other people. (The next seating was at 8:00 PM.) The counter is always considered the most desirable compared to a table as you are ringside to watch the master cut fish and prepare the specialties of the house. In this case we quickly saw we were watching two men with an impressive stove laden with boiling pots behind them preparing many identical plates and bowls with exacting amounts of mysterious ingredients and with precise placement. Before we were served anything the handsome young man began telling us an ancient Japanese story about two lovers who were fated to be separated forever by the Milky Way of stars except for one night a year when they could be together. Every guest had been given a long narrow piece of paper attached to a pipe cleaner to write a wish on. The wishes were to be attached to a bamboo tree by the front door which I thought was a decoration when I entered. When we had written down our wish the meal began. I had studied the menu that was part of my place setting and taken a video of the young man as he crisped up the Wagyu Beef wrapped around an oyster with a blow torch. Although I planned to photo every course, I ate that oyster in one gulp as he instructed before I remembered. Note the empty oyster shell with drops of sauce. I had the same problem with the camera again and again. He was photogenic with a beautiful voice and I’m listening carefully to every word he says as he speaks quietly and I obey.

Later on the chef/owner came out and assembled an assortment of seasonal nigiri and chatted with the people closest to him at the counter in English and Japanese. The service continued with the two men behind the counter and the woman who served the tables behind us. We watched them prepare the bowls and plates. Then we were served. It didn’t seemed rushed or slow, just steady. Any question would be answered. We focused on not embarrassing ourselves with the chops sticks and trying to figure out which of the Sakes we liked. The floor didn’t make any noise. The people talked in low tones. It was an unusual experience every step of the way. The dessert was a two parter with one layered liquids in a jar, (soy milk, soybean powder mousse with black sugar sauce) and a solidly frozen scoop of ice cream, according to the menu, made of barley tea. Could that be? It didn’t taste like barley or tea. They surprised us with a birthday bouquet and candle. After I paid the biggest bill of my life I found myself bowing to the chef/owner at the front door as he thanked each person for coming. The whole thing was amazing. I felt calm and well fed. I didn’t want anything else. We sat on the deck at home until it got dark marveling at a most unusual evening.