The atmosphere when you first walk in gives off very hip and modern vibes. There's minimal decor and low lighting, which is in total contrast to their maximalist website, which is just kind of funny. We started off with cocktails--Tokyo Drifter and Chikorita and the latter was delicious and so unique! Tequila + matcha + coconut is the combination I didn't know I needed in a drink. We both got the set menu (you have to have full table participation anyways..), and both opted for the Dungeness crab rice add-on. The first bite was delicious! A lightly fried (I think) daikon radish with small toppings. This was followed by the chawanmushi with shiitake and stinging nettle, which was a table favorite. Honestly, all of the courses were pretty good, some better than others, but nothing really blew me away. I knew I'd have to write this review the next morning because if I waited much longer I'd probably forget each dish. One thing that clearly stood out, however, was the amount of time between courses. While I wasn't in a hurry to leave, there was a bit of a noticeable lull between courses, especially when we observed tables next to us (who arrived later) getting the same set menu and a bit of a faster pace. It's definitely a relaxed pace and gives you plenty of time to eat and savor the plate! Service was friendly and they explained every dish, but honestly not the most attentive. Would really only come over when the next course was ready, and we had to ask for more water which I certainly don't mind doing, but feel that it would be a non-thing at a restaurant like this. The meal itself was lovely, the ambiance is nice and the bathrooms reminded me of Japanese bathrooms. But for the overall price tag (plus 22% service charge), I'm definitely not going to be back.
Sabrina K.
It's nice. Service is good although they did forget one item we ordered. Food was ok. There's not one bite of food that was memorable. The wines in the wine pairing were also forgettable. It's an extremely expensive evening for nothing special.
Chris T.
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.
Meghan Austin
Stunning food, service, ambiance, loved every second and can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diane Lansinger
Loved it. I used to live in Japan, and the food, atmosphere, and service all reminded me of “kaiseki (high-end, many small courses all beautifully plated) meets izakaya (savory pub food, upbeat atmosphere, always go with a friend or three). The brilliance of TOMO is the mashup of the two, something you normally wouldn’t find in Japan.Went with my husband and we ordered the set menu plus the rolls. Everything was tasty, beautifully prepared, and served at a nice pace - not too fast, not too slow. By the end, we were perfectly full. In Japan they say “hara hachi bu” which basically means “eat until you’re 80% full.” TOMO courses felt a bit more generous than that, maybe 90%, but by the time we were done with our digestifs after dessert, we were pleasantly full-but-not-overfed.We had cocktails before dinner (mine was NA), a bottle of wine with dinner (took half home), and digestifs with dessert. Part of the genius of TOMO is their delightful and knowledgeable sommelier, who made excellent off-menu recommendations for wine and shared nice little stories around each winemaker.Another fun surprise was the extensive list of all kinds of liquors, including some rare, vintage, and hard-to-find selections. There’s a particular bourbon maker we love and it’s rare to find even one of their bourbons at a restaurant - but TOMO had three.We ended up paying just north of $400 for two, including wine, drinks, and tip (included in the bill the way we like it, and well-deserved). It would have been south of $300 without the alcohol. So yes, it’s a special treat, but it’s what you’d spend at any higher-end restaurant in Seattle.All the tables were in 2- and 4-top arrangements and the atmosphere works well for couples and groups as large as four. We actually started at the bar, which is lovely, and there were some solo diners seated there.Parking was a bit challenging, the main drag of White Center was full, but we found a perfect lot in front of the Domino’s, which is one block behind the main drag and two blocks away from TOMO.My two suggestions for the restaurant: first, the bar stools are very uncomfortable, my husband and I are not large people but our legs were falling asleep halfway through our meal. We requested a move to a table halfway through the meal. The banquette was fine but the individual chairs at the tables aren’t much better. The bar stools and chairs should all be upholstered, which will probably run less than replacing them. Second, both of our steak knives were laughably dull, we couldn’t cut the steak or even the green onion without a ridiculous amount of sawing. I told our server the knives need sharpening and she said they have them sharpened every two months. This is simply not enough, even for good knives. Have them professionally sharpened every two months, yes, but knives should be touched up before every service, even if you’re just using an inexpensive Chef’s Choice and giving the blade 5-10 quick draws. The custom TOMO knives are beautiful but they are not the crown jewels.We’ll definitely be back again, next time with another couple. Our plan for our larger group is to skip the set menu and just order one of the entire regular menu, which will be about right for four people (and it includes their fried chicken, a measure of a great izakaya).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dee Chapleau
Tomo was an incredible culinary and visual experience. Every cocktail and dish was perfection, and the staff was patient and informative when we’d ask about some of the delicious ingredients that were new to us. The wine sommelier was so knowledgable and passionate about their selection, it was a treat just to hear what he had to say. We did the a la carte menu to be able to try as many things as possible and am so glad we did. I can’t wait to go back and try the set menu with their recommended pairings!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stacy S.
We went to Tomo for my birthday in June, so this post is a bit late. Service was great, as were our cocktails. The food was good, yet without the wow factor that I was expecting after all I had heard. Sounds like our experience wasn't unique.
Laura Axline
Amazing place- can’t wait to go back! We did the tasting menu with wine pairings and each dish was better than the last. The wine pairings were excellent and I loved our pre-dinner cocktails. The service was also top notch and I love that they have a super casual, yet refined atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sean Gordon
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!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tracie Hiemstra
An exquisite meal in a lovely environment with exceptional service. For once a high price was worth it!
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!!!
Tracie H.
An exquisite meal in a lovely environment with stellar service. For once a high price was worth it! Loved every bit of the experience. We did the set menu which also comes with wine pairings (which we did not do). The steak was cooked to perfection, as were the other meal components. Servers were very friendly and efficient whether they were our specific server or not. We will definitely return.
Samantha G.
My sister and brother-in-law gifted me a gift card to Tomo for Christmas. My husband and I have cut back on the dining out, so we were excited for this opportunity to try something new. Reviews for Tomo seem very hit or miss on Yelp. We arrived in the area early to get a quick snack at a taco truck (2 tacos each) and to give us time to find the place. Surprisingly, it was not difficult to find Tomo. They're located next to an adult video store, and they have huge windows with Tomo on it. We were immediately greeted and led to sit at the bar. I personally wouldn't have it any other way. Our bartender took good care of us, checkin in at the right moments, some light banter, and even bringing us extra boquerones for the leek salad that came with the steak without us asking. This alone is worth a 5 star rating. After consulting with the bartender, we went for the tasting menu. They started us off with a snack from the kitchen: 2 Daikon cakes with plum sauce for each of us. I'm glad the bartender warned us about taking a small bite as they are piping out. I enjoyed the nice crips exterior and the hot and fluffy interior of the cake. Here is what we have from the tasting menu: - Sea Lettuce Parker House Rolls (supplemental) I enjoy the light seaweed taste of the rolls, which reminded me of the pizza crust from Kobo in Capital Hill. These rolls are fluffy and I think 2 rolls per person was just enough. - Dungeness Crab & Enoki Chawamushi This was my husband's favorite dish. I appreciate that Tomo did not skimp on the lumps of crab. It is custardy and full of flavor. We did not leave any drops behind. - Celery root, Mustard Greens, Carrot, Molasses Tomo could have fooled me into thinking I was being served ahi. The way it was presented appeared to be like sliced bbq ahi! I took one bite, and I couldn't believe all the different savory/umami flavors I was getting out of the celery root. This is my personal favorite from the set menu. - Albacore, Savoy Cabbage, Tomatoes, Currant While I thought the fish was cooked fine (slightly under), I did think it needed a little more salt. The sauce it was in was on the sweeter side but nevertheless enjoyable enough to eat it all - Dry-Aged Steak, Leek, Parsnip, Au Poivre. Steak was tender and tasty. I appreciate the bartender for bringing the extra boquerones as that elevated the leek salad. - Cheese Semifreddo, Chestnut, Sweet Potato, Quince This was a great dessert to round up the tasting menu. I appreciate that you get the cheesy taste and how the fruit compliments it. The flavor profile is similar to Mora Ice Cream's fig & goat cheese ice cream for reference. - Kakigori for 2: Winter Citrus, Popcorn Mousse, Sansyo (supplemental) We ended our meal with the kakigori thanks to our bartender's suggestion. They told us they recently switched up the flavors qnd highly recommends it. Also, they shape it in a block which is different from how they present it in a bowl. Luckily, kakigori is a shave ice so it wasn't going to make us feel overly stuffed. What I found most interesting is the popcorn mousse: you get hints of butter, kernel and light caramel. For the drinks, I went with bourbon-based cocktails. I like each one for different reasons. I found the Aki Milk Punch so refreshing with the mix of bourbon & apple cider. For something with punches of flavor & texture, I got that from the Parallel Lines (Bourbon, grapefruit, blackberry, egg white). I was very happy with both drinks. As for portions, I thought they were just right, and it was not necessary for me to snack before dinner. Then again, I have been macro counting for the past month so that plays a role on how much I can eat during a meal without feeling stuffed. I had such a wonderful experience at Tomo, and I would go again to dine/drink at the bar.
Nicholas M.
Parsnips have no business being this good Tasting menu was exhilarating, we ordered chewy noodles as an add on, it got competitive Baiju highball was a waterfall of flavors I've never had steak like that, hope to have it again Vibes on point
Rrr V.
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.
The atmosphere when you first walk in gives off very hip and modern vibes. There's minimal decor and low lighting, which is in total contrast to their maximalist website, which is just kind of funny. We started off with cocktails--Tokyo Drifter and Chikorita and the latter was delicious and so unique! Tequila + matcha + coconut is the combination I didn't know I needed in a drink. We both got the set menu (you have to have full table participation anyways..), and both opted for the Dungeness crab rice add-on. The first bite was delicious! A lightly fried (I think) daikon radish with small toppings. This was followed by the chawanmushi with shiitake and stinging nettle, which was a table favorite. Honestly, all of the courses were pretty good, some better than others, but nothing really blew me away. I knew I'd have to write this review the next morning because if I waited much longer I'd probably forget each dish. One thing that clearly stood out, however, was the amount of time between courses. While I wasn't in a hurry to leave, there was a bit of a noticeable lull between courses, especially when we observed tables next to us (who arrived later) getting the same set menu and a bit of a faster pace. It's definitely a relaxed pace and gives you plenty of time to eat and savor the plate! Service was friendly and they explained every dish, but honestly not the most attentive. Would really only come over when the next course was ready, and we had to ask for more water which I certainly don't mind doing, but feel that it would be a non-thing at a restaurant like this. The meal itself was lovely, the ambiance is nice and the bathrooms reminded me of Japanese bathrooms. But for the overall price tag (plus 22% service charge), I'm definitely not going to be back.
It's nice. Service is good although they did forget one item we ordered. Food was ok. There's not one bite of food that was memorable. The wines in the wine pairing were also forgettable. It's an extremely expensive evening for nothing special.
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.
Stunning food, service, ambiance, loved every second and can’t wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loved it. I used to live in Japan, and the food, atmosphere, and service all reminded me of “kaiseki (high-end, many small courses all beautifully plated) meets izakaya (savory pub food, upbeat atmosphere, always go with a friend or three). The brilliance of TOMO is the mashup of the two, something you normally wouldn’t find in Japan.Went with my husband and we ordered the set menu plus the rolls. Everything was tasty, beautifully prepared, and served at a nice pace - not too fast, not too slow. By the end, we were perfectly full. In Japan they say “hara hachi bu” which basically means “eat until you’re 80% full.” TOMO courses felt a bit more generous than that, maybe 90%, but by the time we were done with our digestifs after dessert, we were pleasantly full-but-not-overfed.We had cocktails before dinner (mine was NA), a bottle of wine with dinner (took half home), and digestifs with dessert. Part of the genius of TOMO is their delightful and knowledgeable sommelier, who made excellent off-menu recommendations for wine and shared nice little stories around each winemaker.Another fun surprise was the extensive list of all kinds of liquors, including some rare, vintage, and hard-to-find selections. There’s a particular bourbon maker we love and it’s rare to find even one of their bourbons at a restaurant - but TOMO had three.We ended up paying just north of $400 for two, including wine, drinks, and tip (included in the bill the way we like it, and well-deserved). It would have been south of $300 without the alcohol. So yes, it’s a special treat, but it’s what you’d spend at any higher-end restaurant in Seattle.All the tables were in 2- and 4-top arrangements and the atmosphere works well for couples and groups as large as four. We actually started at the bar, which is lovely, and there were some solo diners seated there.Parking was a bit challenging, the main drag of White Center was full, but we found a perfect lot in front of the Domino’s, which is one block behind the main drag and two blocks away from TOMO.My two suggestions for the restaurant: first, the bar stools are very uncomfortable, my husband and I are not large people but our legs were falling asleep halfway through our meal. We requested a move to a table halfway through the meal. The banquette was fine but the individual chairs at the tables aren’t much better. The bar stools and chairs should all be upholstered, which will probably run less than replacing them. Second, both of our steak knives were laughably dull, we couldn’t cut the steak or even the green onion without a ridiculous amount of sawing. I told our server the knives need sharpening and she said they have them sharpened every two months. This is simply not enough, even for good knives. Have them professionally sharpened every two months, yes, but knives should be touched up before every service, even if you’re just using an inexpensive Chef’s Choice and giving the blade 5-10 quick draws. The custom TOMO knives are beautiful but they are not the crown jewels.We’ll definitely be back again, next time with another couple. Our plan for our larger group is to skip the set menu and just order one of the entire regular menu, which will be about right for four people (and it includes their fried chicken, a measure of a great izakaya).
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tomo was an incredible culinary and visual experience. Every cocktail and dish was perfection, and the staff was patient and informative when we’d ask about some of the delicious ingredients that were new to us. The wine sommelier was so knowledgable and passionate about their selection, it was a treat just to hear what he had to say. We did the a la carte menu to be able to try as many things as possible and am so glad we did. I can’t wait to go back and try the set menu with their recommended pairings!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went to Tomo for my birthday in June, so this post is a bit late. Service was great, as were our cocktails. The food was good, yet without the wow factor that I was expecting after all I had heard. Sounds like our experience wasn't unique.
Amazing place- can’t wait to go back! We did the tasting menu with wine pairings and each dish was better than the last. The wine pairings were excellent and I loved our pre-dinner cocktails. The service was also top notch and I love that they have a super casual, yet refined atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An exquisite meal in a lovely environment with exceptional service. For once a high price was worth it!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
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!!!
An exquisite meal in a lovely environment with stellar service. For once a high price was worth it! Loved every bit of the experience. We did the set menu which also comes with wine pairings (which we did not do). The steak was cooked to perfection, as were the other meal components. Servers were very friendly and efficient whether they were our specific server or not. We will definitely return.
My sister and brother-in-law gifted me a gift card to Tomo for Christmas. My husband and I have cut back on the dining out, so we were excited for this opportunity to try something new. Reviews for Tomo seem very hit or miss on Yelp. We arrived in the area early to get a quick snack at a taco truck (2 tacos each) and to give us time to find the place. Surprisingly, it was not difficult to find Tomo. They're located next to an adult video store, and they have huge windows with Tomo on it. We were immediately greeted and led to sit at the bar. I personally wouldn't have it any other way. Our bartender took good care of us, checkin in at the right moments, some light banter, and even bringing us extra boquerones for the leek salad that came with the steak without us asking. This alone is worth a 5 star rating. After consulting with the bartender, we went for the tasting menu. They started us off with a snack from the kitchen: 2 Daikon cakes with plum sauce for each of us. I'm glad the bartender warned us about taking a small bite as they are piping out. I enjoyed the nice crips exterior and the hot and fluffy interior of the cake. Here is what we have from the tasting menu: - Sea Lettuce Parker House Rolls (supplemental) I enjoy the light seaweed taste of the rolls, which reminded me of the pizza crust from Kobo in Capital Hill. These rolls are fluffy and I think 2 rolls per person was just enough. - Dungeness Crab & Enoki Chawamushi This was my husband's favorite dish. I appreciate that Tomo did not skimp on the lumps of crab. It is custardy and full of flavor. We did not leave any drops behind. - Celery root, Mustard Greens, Carrot, Molasses Tomo could have fooled me into thinking I was being served ahi. The way it was presented appeared to be like sliced bbq ahi! I took one bite, and I couldn't believe all the different savory/umami flavors I was getting out of the celery root. This is my personal favorite from the set menu. - Albacore, Savoy Cabbage, Tomatoes, Currant While I thought the fish was cooked fine (slightly under), I did think it needed a little more salt. The sauce it was in was on the sweeter side but nevertheless enjoyable enough to eat it all - Dry-Aged Steak, Leek, Parsnip, Au Poivre. Steak was tender and tasty. I appreciate the bartender for bringing the extra boquerones as that elevated the leek salad. - Cheese Semifreddo, Chestnut, Sweet Potato, Quince This was a great dessert to round up the tasting menu. I appreciate that you get the cheesy taste and how the fruit compliments it. The flavor profile is similar to Mora Ice Cream's fig & goat cheese ice cream for reference. - Kakigori for 2: Winter Citrus, Popcorn Mousse, Sansyo (supplemental) We ended our meal with the kakigori thanks to our bartender's suggestion. They told us they recently switched up the flavors qnd highly recommends it. Also, they shape it in a block which is different from how they present it in a bowl. Luckily, kakigori is a shave ice so it wasn't going to make us feel overly stuffed. What I found most interesting is the popcorn mousse: you get hints of butter, kernel and light caramel. For the drinks, I went with bourbon-based cocktails. I like each one for different reasons. I found the Aki Milk Punch so refreshing with the mix of bourbon & apple cider. For something with punches of flavor & texture, I got that from the Parallel Lines (Bourbon, grapefruit, blackberry, egg white). I was very happy with both drinks. As for portions, I thought they were just right, and it was not necessary for me to snack before dinner. Then again, I have been macro counting for the past month so that plays a role on how much I can eat during a meal without feeling stuffed. I had such a wonderful experience at Tomo, and I would go again to dine/drink at the bar.
Parsnips have no business being this good Tasting menu was exhilarating, we ordered chewy noodles as an add on, it got competitive Baiju highball was a waterfall of flavors I've never had steak like that, hope to have it again Vibes on point
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.