Restaurants near the Space Needle are usually touristy let-downs—but Wa’z is an exception. Years after opening, this intimate kaiseki restaurant still feels like a well-kept secret, serving upscale comfort food without making a fuss, all on pretty dinnerware we wouldn't mind sneaking out in our bags. Even though the flavors are more subtle than innovative, a meal here is well worth the $175 price of admission. The menu at Wa’z changes monthly, but you can rely on eight memorable courses that include appetizers and soup, a generous portion of wagyu, and several bites of terrific sushi. We love the delicate yuzu and mirin applied to many of the dishes. But the raw fish is usually the best moment of the night, with buttery nigiri followed by a hand roll that mixes the same seafood in with a nice crunch. Despite the upscale atmosphere, Wa’z doesn’t feel like a whole ordeal. Tables are relatively easy to come by—you may be sharing wide-eyed looks of satisfaction with countermates, or have nearly the whole place to yourself on a quiet winter evening. And if it’s your birthday, the chefs will write up a fun message on a plate and give you a bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately, you can't keep the plate.