Chefs and Restaurateurs Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee, the dynamic couple behind Los Angeles’ much celebrated Scratch Restaurants group, opened Sushi By Scratch in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood on September 1st.

Sushi by Scratch offers an incredible 17-course omakase that showcases Lee’s new-wave take on nigiri and other delicacies from both land and sea. Each evening offers three seatings (5:00 pm, 7:15 pm, and 9:30 pm), giving guests an intimate dining experience at one of the 10 coveted seats at the sushi counter.

The experience begins thirty minutes prior to the scheduled seating time in a dimly lit whisky bar, where guests are offered a complimentary welcome cocktail consisting of sake, Japanese whisky, lime, and ginger. Guests are then escorted into the dining room and seated at the sushi counter, where they are to be attended to by three chefs and a bartender as they embark on a progressive tasting journey of 16 pieces of handmade nigiri, followed by a delectable dessert.

The ever-changing menu showcases local fish and seafood, and features signature dishes like Hamachi painted with a sweet corn pudding and topped with a fine sprinkle of breadcrumbs made from Chef Kallas-Lee’s famous sourdough, and Albacore wrapped in sake-soaked nori and topped with ponzu, fresh wasabi, and crispy onions. Also featured are Chef Frankland Lee’s signature 1-2 punch of Roasted Bone Marrow nigiri seasoned simply with soy sauce, sea salt, and freshly grated wasabi root, followed by fan favorite Unagi that’s fried crispy in the rendered bone marrow fat from the previous course and then dressed with poblano yuzu kosho, soy sauce, ponzu, lemon, and sea salt.

“We’re revered for our inventive flavor profiles at our restaurants,” says Chef Kallas-Lee, “and although some of our nigiri flavor profiles may not be what people expect when they think of traditional sushi, our approach to nigiri is very much traditional.”

“I’ve discovered over the years that a truly exceptional omakase experience is about more than who has the best fish,” adds Chef Frankland Lee. “Sourcing and technique are totally important, but a great omakase experience must tell a story and take diners on a journey. From our music selection and mood lighting to our wasabi graters and uniforms, we aim to curate a culinary adventure for guests, bite by bite.”

The beverage program showcases a thoughtful selection of Japanese beer, sake, and whisky. Three beverage pairings are currently offered. The first option includes three sakes, two micro-cocktails, and a beer. Option two includes six pours of sake, and option three includes six pours of Japanese whisky.  Beverages are also available a la carte.

The Sushi By Scratch omakase experience is $165 per person plus tax and a service charge. Reservations are released at 10:00am on the first of the month for the following month. Reservations are required and can be made here.

Sushi by Scratch is located at 2331 6^th Ave in Seattle, Washington.