Head-to-Head · Seattle
Cascina Spinasse vs Sushi Kappo Tamura
Spinasse's hand-cut tajarin against Taichi Kitamura's Eastlake omakase. Book Spinasse for a date, Tamura for a counter-side splurge.
The Verdict
Cascina Spinasse on Capitol Hill cooks the Piedmont, and its hand-cut tajarin, the thread-thin egg pasta finished in butter and sage, is the dish Seattle sends people for. It is a warm, candle-lit dining room open seven nights. Sushi Kappo Tamura on Eastlake is Chef Taichi Kitamura's kappo and sushi counter, a Pacific Northwest omakase that swings from sashimi to cooked courses. Book Spinasse for a date across a table; book Tamura for a seat at the counter and a longer, pricier omakase.
The split is table versus counter. Spinasse is built for two facing each other over pasta and a bottle of Nebbiolo, easy to talk across and easy to share. Tamura points you at the chef and a moving sequence of fish, the better choice for a solo diner or anyone who wants to watch the work. Both rank near the top of the Seattle dining guide.
Scores, Side by Side
| Score | Cascina Spinasse | Sushi Kappo Tamura |
|---|---|---|
| Food | 9.2 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Atmosphere | 9.0 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Value | 8.6 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
Which One for Which Occasion
| Occasion | Editorial Pick |
|---|---|
| A first date | Cascina SpinasseA warm, candle-lit room and shared pasta are easier to talk across than a forward-facing sushi counter. |
| Solo dining | Sushi Kappo TamuraA kappo counter is built for one and points you at the chef rather than an empty chair. |
| A celebration | Cascina SpinasseThe dining room takes a group comfortably and the Piedmontese menu suits a long, shared table. |
| A counter-side splurge | Sushi Kappo TamuraKitamura's omakase is the bigger spend and the more singular evening of the two. |
| Best value | Cascina SpinasseAn a la carte pasta dinner lands below a full omakase, for cooking just as assured. |
Price Comparison
Spinasse is the easier bill: a plate of tajarin, a second course and a glass of Piedmontese red keep dinner moderate, and you control the spend by ordering a la carte. Tamura's omakase is the larger, set outlay, climbing with the counter sequence and sake, and it is the splurge of the two. Compare them against the best Italian restaurants worldwide and sushi restaurants worldwide.
How to Book
Spinasse takes reservations on its usual platform and holds tables well midweek, with weekends the squeeze; the bar seats walk-ins. See the Cascina Spinasse review first. Tamura's counter is the tighter ticket, so book the omakase seats a week or two out and ask for the bar in front of Kitamura; the Sushi Kappo Tamura review covers the room.
For occasion fit, weigh them against the best Seattle tables for a first date and for solo dining, and browse more pairings on the compare index.