Hawaii Will Meet Seattle in D.K. Kodama’s New Sansei Downtown

Ninth and Pine keeps getting luckier. Along with Tom Douglas' Carlile Room debuting July 1, the corner will now add the first mainland branch of renowned Hawaiian chef D.K. Kodama's Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in several months.

In this fifth Sansei location (and Kodama's seventh restaurant in all), expect the same creative sushi and contemporary Japanese/Pacific Rim-influenced cuisine the chain is known for in Hawaii, including the Mango and Crab Salad Hand Roll and Panko-Crusted Ahi Sashimi. Drink-wise, the wine offerings by Master Sommelier Chuck Furuya will be a particular draw, and also anticipate a lengthy cocktail list geared to compliment sushi, and beers from the Pacific Northwest and Japan both.

The 3,500-square-foot, CLO-designed space will go for a modern, upscale feel with floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides and separate sushi and liquor bars in the center. Per Seattle Met, there will also be a patio, and beautifully, the Hawaiian dress code will prevail: "Northwest diners should also appreciate [Kodoma's] embrace of casual attire (shorts and flip-flops are always welcome in [his] restaurants)."

Sansei is scheduled to open this fall in the bottom of the Holland Partner Group's 40-story Premiere on Pine apartment building.