Kotaro Kumita's Sushi Wataru Will Hit Ravenna Next Week

It's sushi season, Seattle. Not only is Shiro Kashiba's Sushi Kashiba scheduled to debut in Pike Place any time now, but Kotaro Kumita, who apprenticed under Kashiba years ago, is set to open Sushi Wataru in Ravenna next Thursday, November 5.

As a quick refresher from our last coverage, after working at Kashiba's Shiro's in the late '90s, Wataru spent several years in Japan studying sushi and kaiseki, then returned to Seattle and worked at Hana, then the now-shuttered Shun, then at Ballard's Moshi Moshi Sushi, then back to Shiro's.

Sushi Wataru will be Kumita's first solo venture, and the 1,100-square-foot, 20-seat restaurant will replace Garlic Jim's Pizza at 2400 NE 65th Street next door to Salare. The focus will be around traditional edomae style sushi (no fusion rolls), made from seafood sourced locally and from the Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo. Also expect omakase ("chef's choice") options and a list of sake, local beers, and wines "paired specifically for the sushi," says Kumita.

Kumita is still hammering down exact hours for the restaurant, but watch for updates on Wataru's Facebook page.