Spice Your Business Meeting with Japanese Flavor

So, you want to have a business meeting, but you want to have a distinctly Japanese flavor – be it food or atmosphere. There are tons of great spaces in Seattle and the metro area that are perfect for a business meeting. Understandably, this is not a comprehensive list. If you have a great meeting space that you would like to let us know about, please comment or write me at japanypg[at ]gmail.com .

Wann Izakaya – Great space. Great feel. Great food. Wann is far enough away from the whole Belltown scene to be quieter than most other options in the area. If you call ahead, management will reserved a private space in the backroom for you and your party. Happy hour that runs from 5-7pm gives you the chance to keep the meeting from turning into a dinner meeting.

Issian Izakaya – Issian is a welcome addition to Seattle via the Kansai area of Japan. Issian has a private area in the back that could be reserved for your meeting. However, it is partitioned off, not walled off, so the noise from the restaurant could carry over into your meeting. Additionally, Issian serves quite a bit of grilled fare, so if you are hosting guests that have an aversion for that smell, you may want to plan for that.

I Love Sushi - Where’s the love for the Eastside? It is all at I Love Sushi. This restaurant has one location on South Lake Union, and boasts two locations that are practically next to each other in Bellevue. One sits smack dab in the middle of a what seems to be one huge parking lot next to Whole Foods in Bellevue. Further back in that same parking lot, on the shores of Lake Bellevue (more like a pond, but that is a different post), sits the other location that features lakefront dining and a private room that can be reserved. Lots of natural wood and views of the water will surely impress – not to mention the best sushi you’ve ever had. You get what you pay for though… and here you get a lot.

P.S. A quick look at their website unveils they are now serving the allusive fugu! Hmmm… that is one way to spice up your meeting!

Panama Hotel Café and Teahouse – Looking to do just coffee? How about the Panama? Unless there is a hosted event there, this place is pretty open to groups, in a very relaxed atmosphere. There are two rooms – one where the cash register is and one that is separate and much quieter/conducive to meetings. IN the second room, there is a long table that can be reserved for meetings, with a $5 minimum purchase for all attendees. My recommendation would be to sit closer to the windows in the lounge chairs away from the coffee grinder noise next door. You also take a step back in time with pictures of the old Nihonmachi in the International District adorning the walls. This place is a jewel.