About two years ago, restaurant veterans Steve Tamura and Taichi Kitamura sold their cozy zen sushi restaurant in Fremont – Chiso – and moved to a swanky new spot in Eastlake called Tamura, named after co-owner Steve Tamura.
Chiso was my local hang-out so I think my eyes actually watered on closing day. My spirits lifted months later when I stepped into Tamura’s beautiful space and experienced the restaurant’s high-quality ingredients paired with the same friendly, familiar faces that made Chiso so successful.
Tip: Sit at the sushi counter and go ballz out omakase style. Let chef-/co-owner Taichi take care of the rest of the details.
Steve Tamura, Front of House Manager & Co-owner
Steve Tamura with son Akio and wife Aidi
1) What is your favorite restaurant? Hosoonyi and Mekong Village.
2) What do you like to do when you are not busting your butt at work? Besides spending time with my family, I love to paintball. It’s great because I get to take out all my aggression on kids that are half my age. In reality I’m the one who usually ends up with the most welts.
3) If you were an airline pilot and you could only fly between two cities for the rest of your life, what two cities and why? Seattle and Honolulu. Sunshine, friends & family, great food and plenty of outdoor activities.
4) What ingredients do you wish were easier to obtain in Seattle? Lychee and Kobe beef.
Taichi Kitamura, Chef & Owner
Taichi Kitamura (left) with Tamura in Kitamura's hometown of Kyoto, Japan
1) What is your favorite restaurant? Green Village and Chang’s Gourmet.
2) What do you like to do when you are not busting your butt at work? Fly fishing.
3) If you were an airline pilot and you could only fly between two cities for the rest of your life, what two cities and why? Kyoto and Seattle. Family and good food in the two cities.
4) What ingredients do you wish were easier to obtain in Seattle? Yuzu, conch, fresh herring and Japanese rice.
What a good looking family! Heehee
now i really want some miso soup
Loved Chiso, love love love Sushi Kappo Tamura – great job Steve & Taichi!